By Suzi
The intention of this list is to make a journey around the world, visiting markets and fairs along the way. Let’s begin with the Byrds, who are enchanted by the sights and sounds of a Renaissance Fair. They smell cinnamon and spices, and think they’re dreaming.
The arrival of Olu Dara sparks excitement amongst the locals. He says he’s the coal man, but he’s clearly diversified into all kinds of fruit, nuts and vegetables, including Okra, which he seems especially anxious to sell.
Our journey now takes us to London, where Ian Dury’s tale of Simpson from Harrow and his potential customer, Delilah the dancer from Soho, epitomises the banter and persuasiveness of such traders everywhere. ‘Don’t be suspicious/ Of Golden Delicious,’ he tells her. Will she be tempted by his Apples?
Still in England’s capital, Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) is strolling happily along the Portobello Road, one of the world’s largest street markets. He’s enjoying seeing the antiques, bric-a-brac, cheap clothes and street food that are for sale there. He must be careful though. A few decades earlier, he would’ve been likely to run into Black Market traders, selling dodgy goods. They surely still exist, although not in the seductive form of Marlene Dietrich.
The Rastro in Madrid is another huge street market, held on Sunday mornings. Haggling is essential and the traders, as portrayed in Paxti Andión’s song, are persuasive. Once you engage with them it will be difficult to get away without buying something. Una Dos Y Tres – and you’re the proud owner of what may or may not be a bargain.
Les Primitifs du Futur, a band assembled by US cartoonist Robert Crumb, evoke a Portrait of a 78 Tard. The protagonist is Crumb himself, an avid collector of 78 rpm records and determined to find something special on a French flea market stall.
To Africa now, and the former French colony, now proudly independent Senegal. Here are Orchestra Baobab with a joyous celebration of their Foire Internationale.
South Africa next, and a wonderful instrumental, African Marketplace. Based on a sweet and simple tune, pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim and the musicians accompanying him create something really special.
Northwards now to Egypt, and the first of two more instrumentals, Les Baxter with Cairo Bazaar, a relatively short but atmospheric and joyous piece which may tempt you to linger longer in that same bazaar and listen to Anne Dudley and Jaz Coleman with their evocative Ziggurats of Cinnamon. I imagine sticks of cinnamon neatly arranged in ziggurat-like formations, but it could be pyramids of ground spice too.
To Turkey next, and clarinetist Salem Sesler, with Ilkay Akkaya on vocals and a Turkish folk song, Pazarda Bal Var Gelinim, which translates as,’There’s honey in the market, my bride.’
Now to Vietnam, and Duong Hong Loan and Lê Sang with Phién Cho Sông, a duet about the famous floating markets on the Mekong river. Pause to listen, then head further eastwards and northwards to Japan. Shokichi Kini has a song called Basha-gua Suncha, which translates as the cart puller, aka a horse. Horse and driver encounter several people on their way, including a fish seller going to market with a bucket full of fish.
Off to South America, and the first port of call is Columbia, with a lively vegetable-related Mambo del Mercado la Merced from Fruko & Orquestra with Johnny More. Even if you can’t mambo, it’ll get your toes tapping and quite possibly joining in with the song too, even if you don’t know much Spanish. On now to Portuguese-speaking Brazil, and a song from Clara Nunes about the Feira De Mangaio where they sell just about everything.
Northward now and up the coast of the USA to Portland, Oregon, and Esperanza Spalding’s gentle tribute to her home city, also known as the City of Roses. She describes with particular fondness the sunny Saturdays when street vendors and musicians cluster along the waterfront, and crowds of local people come to see and hear them.
This is followed by a moody and magnificent piece by Joe Walsh, formerly of the Eagles. An abandoned jigsaw puzzle features a picture of a County Fair, provoking both memories and reflections on his life. Memories also preoccupy Carrie Newcomer, as she affectionally lists all the many fairs and festivals that she has attended. She longs to be at the local county fair where she used to meet her friends, kin and cousins. ‘Everything we love is here/ I Wish I May, I Wish I Might/ Be at the County fair tonight.’
Finally, over to Jamaica and Linstead Market. Here’s Louise Bennett, with a folk song about a market trader who’s been been trying to sell her ackee fruit, but nobody’s buying. How will she be able to feed her children?
The Apples, Ackee, Ockra and All Else For Sale A-List Playlist:
1. The Byrds - Renaissance Fair
2. Olu Dara - Okra
3. Ian Dury - Apples
4. Yusuf/ Cat Stevens - Portobello Road
5. Marlene Dietrich - Black Market
6. Paxti Andión - Una Dos Y Tres
7. Les Primitifs du Futur - Portrait d’un 78 Tard
8. Orchestra Baobab - Foire Internationale
9. Abdullah Ibrahim - African Marketplace
10. Les Baxter - Cairo Bazaar
11. Anne Dudley, Jaz Coleman - Ziggurats of Cinnamon
12. Selim Sesler, Ilkay Akkaya - Pazarda Bal Gelinim
13. Duong Hong, Lê Sang - Phiên Cho Sông
14. Shokichi Kina - Basha-gua Suncha
15. Fruka & Orquestra, Johnny More - Mambo del Mercado la Merced
16. Clara Nunes - Feira De Mangaio
17. Esperanza Spalding - City of Roses
18. Joe Walsh - County Fair
19. Carrie Newcomer - I Wish I May I Wish I Might
20. Louise Bennett - Linstead Market
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: How bazaar: songs about markets and fairs. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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