L.A. gets the "world" groove
Rachid Taha in Los Angeles
Every summer L.A., that well-known Mecca of the film world, forgets its obsession with cinema and celebrity divorces and rolls out the red carpet for world music. This year some 70.000 people are expected to gather in California Plaza, in central L.A., to enjoy "Grand Performances", a series of free concerts laid on by the city council between June and October. RFI/Musique was on hand to report on the 15th edition of L.A.'s world music festival and we took this opportunity to catch up with the outspoken Algerian star Rachid Taha.
Taha, who is currently in the middle of an extensive international tour, stopped off in L.A. on July 22nd. Following Gypsy group LES YEUX NOIRS up on stage, the Algerian singer kicked off his concert around 9 pm, performing with such verve and energy that within three songs the entire audience were up on their feet dancing. We caught up with Rachid Taha the day after his concert and asked him a few questions about his impressions of America to date.
Rachid, at the end of your concert last night, you publicly criticised the U.S. authorities for limiting your set to exactly 1 hour and not a minute more. Was that some sort of declaration of hate against the Americans and their police state?
No, absolutely not. I really don't hate them at all. The only thing about Americans is, their country doesn't suit me personally because the lifestyle over here is based on a complete commitment to work rather than pleasure. I mean, can you imagine your average American's face when you tell him we get five weeks' holiday a year in France?
So, you've obviously got no plans to move to the States in the immediate future then.
No, you can say that again! There's no way I could live in a place that's so dominated by the work ethic. It doesn't fit in with the way I've been educated to behave or my philosophy on life.
How do you feel your concert went down here last night?
I got a really positive vibe from the crowd. Everyone was dancing away to the music and applauding like crazy, begging for more. But to be honest, the venue wasn't ideal. You can't build up any kind of genuine communication with the crowd when you've got that fountain stuck between the audience and the stage. It would have been much more appropriate for us to play in a rock club really. But it's OK, 'cos I'll be passing through Los Angeles again this autumn!
You were originally meant to be performing at the Hollywood Bowl with Youssou N'Dour and LES YEUX NOIRS last night. What happened?
Well, we had to give our spot to Sade who'd reserved the Hollywood Bowl for the same night. Anyway, we were very gallant about the whole thing and gave in without a fight! It's not like I've got anything to prove - I was really happy about playing sell-out gigs before that in New York and San Francisco.
Is this your first tour of the United States?
No, I came out to play in New York for the first time fourteen years ago. And then I performed there again three years ago.
Do you see the Americans as a new public you'd like to conquer?
No, not more so than in any other country anyway. American music fans are exactly the same as other people round the world. They're eager to discover new music and listen to different sounds - and that's exactly where I come in!
Europeans have finally started getting into Oriental music over the past few years, thanks to singers like Khaled, Cheb Mami, Faudel and yourself. Do you think "converting" American music fans will be more of an uphill task?
You're wrong, actually. Europeans are listening to Oriental music less and less these days. In fact, I'd say the trend's pretty much over now. Maybe the blame lies with Raï singers themselves. They haven't found a way of moving their music on in any way. They just kept churning out the same old stuff, which people loved at first, but in the end they got tired of hearing the same old thing!
I've been lucky, in the sense that I was never categorised as a Raï singer in France. But I have to say, despite what's happening in France right now, I do believe Raï could take off in the States. Because when it comes down to it there's no difference between Raï and rock'n'roll - they're both based on identical rhythms. Raï's simply a different approach to music, that's all.
Is "Rachid Taha" you as a solo artist or a group in its own right?
Well, I'd say it's me first and foremost. But for four years now I've been touring with the same musicians, who, incidentally, I spent a lot of time and trouble putting together as a group. And then there's Steve Hillage, he's been my producer for years and years now. We work in such close collaboration together that we've become practically inseparable!
You chose to record your latest album, "Made in Medina", in several different countries. Why was that exactly?
Well, basically because recording the album in several different countries meant we could trace music history. Rock originally came out of Africa, then many years later crossed the Atlantic and got transformed into rock'n'roll when it reached America.
I was really keen on recording part of the album in New Orleans because the place is a crossroads where African sounds meet European music meets the blues. The idea behind recording "Made in Medina" between Marrakech, London, Paris and the U.S. was to follow the historical route music took and create an album that stands at a sort of musical crossroads itself.
What kind of music has influenced you in the course of your career?
I listen to absolutely everything, from rock and techno to traditional world sounds and rhythm'n'blues.
Your summer tour schedule looks particularly hectic this year.
Yes, it's pretty packed really. Basically, as soon as I finish one concert I'm straight on to the next. Next week I'm heading out to the Paleo Festival in Switzerland and then at the end of August I'll be flying out to Asia for a two-month tour which includes dates in Tokyo, Singapore and Peking. Then I push on to Australia. It's all pretty intensive, but I like it that way. I like the idea of playing lots of gigs around the world in one go. That's a musician's lifestyle for you. We're like travelling acrobats, always packing our bags and moving from one place to the next!
When you perform abroad do you feel like some kind of spokesperson for the Algerian cause?
Well, I certainly have that impression over here in the U.S. Americans are so narrow-minded when it comes to the image they have of Arabs. They think we're all terrorists. For them, the word Arab has become synonymous with the Palestinian/Israeli war. They're absolutely convinced that all Arabs are sworn enemies of the Jews.
I see my role essentially as one of trying to set the record straight and convey correct information. And believe me, I've got my work cut out on this one! In the different interviews I've given so far I've tried to talk about things like the importance of Jewish culture in the Maghreb and the history of Arab/Andalusian music (which resulted from a fusion of both cultures). Those kinds of topic seem to crop up a lot so it's best to be forearmed and know what to say when you're asked questions about them.
You've taken part in a lot of fund-raising concerts in the course of your career.
Well, you have to be careful what you get involved in - I'm not keen on supporting any old thing! I mean, take the "Restos du cour" for instance (an association providing food for the homeless set up by the late French comedian Coluche). That's practically become an institution these days. Every year the same old singers and musicians turn out to do the album and the concert tour! But you can hardly claim the "Restos du cour" has been a success, can you? If it was they wouldn't need to keep organising fund-raising concerts and things!
I'm only interested in investing time and effort in worthwhile causes these days - and by that I mean causes that, politically speaking, are capable of "holding the road" and evolving in the long term.
French music appears to have been going down particularly well abroad in recent years. Have you noticed a change in people's reactions?
Yes, I have, particularly in the UK, a country I visit quite a lot. I can't really say what the situation is in the States though, because I don't feel I know the country well enough. All I can say is, I'm more than ready to bring my music over here. In other words, watch out America, here I come!
Karine Weinberger
Translation: Julie Street
"RFI Musique", Los Angeles, August 1, 2001
