These are the adjectives that come to mind after seeing
Youssdou Ndour: I Bring What I Love by
Chai
Vasarhelyi. A film that brought us around the world on tour with Youssou to promote the release of his last album Egypt. As you might have read in the programme book or online, this album became very controversial in Senegal due to its Islamic roots. In the film, the artist talks about wanting to present or describe the Senegalese way of practising Islam.The film was beautifully shot with amazing colours and vistas. The audience enjoyed seeing Youssou in his day-to-day activities; how he interacts with his friends, colleagues and family. Some people sang when some of the concert footage was on-screen. And of course, everyone applauded when he is told he won a Grammy. His words: "en fin!"... "at last", he said. Indeed, after being nominated three times before, it was this very deeply personal album that won him the recognition. Soon after, his country exploded in admiration and pride for his amazing effort on this album.
At the Q&A, Youssou explained tha he is "inspired from travelling everywhere... inspiration doesn't always come from a place." He was alluding that one can be inspired by various things not just a location or place. An audience member was also curious as to how he and the other Senegales musicians got along with the Egyptian musicians that collaborated with him on this album. Youssou stated that it was all "a question of interpretation... we have the same religion, same conviction. I was impressed with how they practise their religion." Director Vasarhelyi added that it was "remarkable to watch how they got to know each other... a bit of English was common to all sides besides their religion." Just before the Q&A session ended, one last fan asked Youssou if he'd sing for us. He replied: "Why, you don't want to come to my free show later?" He was referring to the free concert at Dundas Square on Saturday night. Being the gracious artist that he is, Youssou suggested that if we agreed to go to the fee concert, he'd sing a little something. Needless to say, everyone yelled out a loud "Yes!" And so he sang for us...
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