Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency

Subject: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 11:52 PM

We have been enjoying dvds of the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency which takes place in Botswana. We've esp. been enjoying the music, a lot of it traditional. So, I went looking for more on youtube and found an eleven minute video which introduces some of the artists whose music is featured. There are a couple of guitar pickers on there who are really neat! Anyway, just wanted to share:

Click Here.

kat

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 07:12 AM

Thanks for finding us that, kat. The TV films are fun - but read the books too if you haven't. I think the Precious that comes out in them is a lot deeper and wiser and precious.

Great music. I've got to try playing that guitar style using the fretboard like a keyboard...

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 03:09 PM

Oh, I have, McGrath, thanks. That's what made me want to see the films. That's a pretty slick pickin' isn't it?

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:19 PM

Have several of the books. Anything by Alexander McCall Smith is worth reading, with humorous insights into human behavior.
We bought the 3-dvd set, since it will be passed around to family members.

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:45 PM

Kat, thanks for that clicky. It brought the series back.
Sheila

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:55 PM

You are most welcome, Sheila.:-)

I had all of the books, boxed them up and sent them to my sister who has now done the same and will send them to my niece. I haven't tried any of his other books, but I can imagine they are as enchanting. Thanks for the recommendation, Q.

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 05:22 PM

The other books? Enjoyable, but they don't have the magic for me. But there's a lot to enjoy, especially in the 44 Scotland Street series, which he writes on the hoof, as a open-ended serial in a Scottish newspaper. He was inspired to do it that way by the similar operation carried out by Armistead Maupin with his Tales of the City.

The thing I love about Precious is the way she keeps her feet on the ground. There's a passage about "being non-judgemental" questioning the notion, insofar as it means deciding that you think some action is right or wrong, regardless of who does it. Precious thinks you have to make those kinds of judgements as part of being a human being. But you don't generally have the right to impose that judgement on others. That's how I see it too.

You don't get stuff like that in many detective stories.

One thing the films would benefit from is more cattle. They are important to Precious, symbolically as well as practically.

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: buddhuu
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 07:28 PM

Excellent vid. :-)

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 08:57 PM

Thanks, buddhuu!

McGrath, yes, I agree...great summation. I read an interview of Jill Scott in which she spoke about making the series and learning to act to the part of Precious. I was impressed by her obvious dedication to her craft and to the directors, as well as the character. The day she was supposed to fly to Botswana, she found out she was pregnant after having been told all of her life she was unable to conceive! She flew out the next day after making sure it was okay with her doctors. So, she worked around morning sickness, etc. Quite interesting!

Love that music!

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 06:50 AM

Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose were pretty good considering they're from another continent - but I'm inclined to think they'd have done better to cast their roles with African actors, as they did with the men.

Subject: RE: Music of Botswana-LadiesNo1DetAgency
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 10:32 AM

Probably, but from what I read, I thought only one of the male actors was from Africa?

I have just listened to the Botswana natl. anthem. It is really beautiful, too.