across the mud huts where the children sleep

Sunday after brunch, B and I decided to go to the African Art museum to see the Tischman collection, which is finally on display after, oh, 23 years in storage at Disney World. More on that later, but what I want to tell you about here is what was playing when we were perusing the gift shop, comparing prices the Smithsonian will charge you with the actual fair market value. "Is this 'Where the Streets Have No Name?" I asked. "Yep," said B. And we saw this:

I don't really go for tribute albums, but In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 is insanely good. Put another way, kids, you haven't lived until you've heard Angelique Kidjo sing "Mysterious Ways," or listened to Vieux Farka Toure do "Bullet the Blue Sky" in the desert blues style his father perfected. In Bambara.

I can't think of a better introduction to contemporary African music, or to some of the most talented musicians the continent has to offer. Give it a listen.