052: Tony Allen (Fela Kuti, Afrika 70, Solo Artist, Rocket Juice and the Moon Team)

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Joe Wong

Joewong, Drums, Comedy, Performing Arts, Arts, Drummers

4.8 • 709 Ratings

🗓️ 13 January 2016

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Tony Allen is inarguably one of the greatest drummers ever to pick up sticks. Brian Eno famously cited him as one of the most important drummers on the planet, and it isn’t hyperbolic to say that he is simply one of the great musicians to emerge during the 20th century. Tony tells Joe about his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria; his musical influences; his time with Fela Kuti in Afrika 70; and the impetus to start his legendary solo career. Without Tony Allen there would be no Afrobeat.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, everybody, it's Joe. I'm really excited to announce that the very first
0:05.3	Trap Set Live will take place in Portland, Oregon at the world-famous Revival Drum Shop on Saturday,
0:12.2	January 30th at 6 p.m. I'll be hosting a conversation with Janet Weiss of Quasi and Slaterkney,
0:19.1	John Sherman of Red Fang, Spitsticks from Fear, and John Mowen of
0:23.8	the Decemberists. You don't want to miss this, Portland. Again, that's Saturday, January 30th, 6 p.m.
0:29.8	at the fantastic revival drum shop. Now, on to our interview with one of the greatest drummers of all
0:35.7	time, Tony Allen.
0:44.4	This episode of The Trap Set is brought to you, in part, by Collectiveo coffee, handmade coffee since 1993.
1:02.0	Check them out online at collectivo.com. This is Joe Wong. Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.
1:07.0	I want to play something for you. The
1:30.3	The You're hearing zombie by Felakuti in Africa 70,
1:51.7	featuring my guest Tony Allen on drums.
1:55.8	A native of Lagos, Nigeria,
1:57.9	Alan drew inspiration from ceremonial juju and Yoruba music, American
2:02.5	bebop and Ghanaian Afro Jazz, ultimately creating a polyrhythmic style that is fiercely intellectual
2:09.6	while remaining irresistibly danceable.
2:12.4	With a light touch, he coaxes a massive sound from the drum kit that's unmistakably his
2:17.1	own from Beat One.
2:21.3	Tony and Fellow began their musical partnership in 1964,
2:25.3	and over the course of more than 30 albums and endless live performances,
2:29.3	the two created and refined the genre that is known as Afrobeat.
2:33.3	This bold synthesis of high life, jazz, funk, and traditional spiritual music, paired with
	...

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