Mdou Moctar joins host Stephen Kallao

Nigerien singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mdou Moctar is known for his electrified Tuareg guitar playing, but his latest album sees the band unplug. On the World Cafe, Moctar and bassist/producer Mickey Coulton talk about why Moctar wanted to make an acoustic album and how being stranded in the U.S. during a military coup in his home country played a part in making it happen.

Listen to the session here.

Today’s Playlist

The War on Drugs “I Don’t Wanna Wait” Live Drugs Again

Mdou Moctar “Takoba” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Mdou Moctar “Imouhar” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Mdou Moctar “Funeral for Justice” Funeral for Justice

Mdou Moctar “Modern Slaves” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Songhoy Blues “Sekou Oumarou” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Coldplay “Trouble” Parachutes

Maggie Rogers “Don’t Forget Me” Don’t Forget Me

Palmyra “Arizona” Restless

Ibeyi “River” Recorded Live at the World Cafe)

Jason Isbell “Bury Me” Foxes in the Snow

Joan Armatrading “Love & Affection” Joan Armatrading

Hour Two
Raul Malo “Every Little Thing About You” Today

Counting Crows “Spaceman in Tulsa” (single)

Oasis “Rock N Roll Star” Definitely Maybe

Margaret Glaspy “Act Natural” Echo The Diamond

R.E.M “Me In Honey” Out of Time

Marissa Nadler “In Your Lair, Bear” Marissa Nadler

Patty Griffin “Rain” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

James Blake “Limit To Your Love” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Japanese Breakfast “Mega Circuit” For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women)

Wilco “Random Name Generator” Star Wars

Margaret Glaspy “Memory Street” Recorded Live at the World Cafe

Jensen McRae “Praying for Your Downfall” I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!

Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues” Helplessness Blues

Genesis Owusu “Get Inspired” (single)

The Pretenders “Kid” Pretenders