Souvenirs

Description

These are songs of wisdom, loss, mourning, and exile, sung directly into a boombox and accompanied by Emahoys unmistakable piano. Though written and recorded while still living at her familys home in Addis Ababa, Emahoy sings of the heartache of being far from home, a reflection on the 1974 revolution and Red Terror in Ethiopia, and a presentiment of her future exile in Jerusalem.
In the 21st century, Emahoy has become known worldwide for her utterly unique melodic and rhythmic style. Commonly misinterpreted as jazzy or honky tonk, Emahoys music actually comes from a deep engagement with the Western classical tradition, mixed with her background in Ethiopian traditional and Orthodox music.
These songs, recorded between 1977-1985, are different from anything previously released by the artist. Rich with the sound of birds outside the window, the creak of the piano bench, the thump of Emahoys finger on the record button, they create a sense of place, of being near the artist while she records.