This is the one entry I’ve been afraid of writing. I don’t feel capable of expressing how moved I felt on Saturday night/early Sunday morning watching this incredible man perform. His musicians were deadly tight, the music ranged from gentle to fierce to playful to heartbreaking within the space of a song, the lyrics were profound and angry and chilling and hopeful and REAL. The crowd (nearly sold out, from the look of things) was loving every minute of it (which really says something, considering how exhausted most of us were at this point).
I’m going to repeat what I said on the halifaxlocals messageboard, because it’s as close as I can get:
“K’Naan is the first musician to put honest to god tingles down my spine in a long time. I felt joyous and angry and inspired and hopeful and educated and entertained last night. I enjoyed so much of the festival, but he was a level above everything else. I’m glad I went by myself, so I could enjoy the sensation of whatever magic it is he creates washing over me without any interuptions like ‘I’m going to get a beer’ or ‘Isn’t this great?'”
I saw a lot of fantastic musicians over the course of this festival, and it was frustrating to not buy albums or tshirts to show my support. Money’s been tight. But as I walked towards the door in a blissful daze once K’Naan wrapped up the show, I saw a man unpacking a box of CDs and I ran right up and spent my last $15 (sorry, kitty, you have to eat stale no-name Cheerios this month) on The Dusty Foot Philosopher.
Highlights of the set: “Wash It Down” and “If Rap Gets Jealous” and the song in which he spoke of his mother. I had tears in my eyes, I felt parts of my heart stir that had lay dormant for months or even years. What a wonderful thing it is when an artistic performance can move you like that.
Thank you so much, HPX staff and programming jury, for bringing him to our town, and thank you, K’Naan, for coming to my town and telling your stories. I wish you peace, love and happiness–you’ve certainly earned it.
This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2005.
