Happy New Year! Later this month, I will be traveling to Mali, West Africa, to record an album of self-composed original Malian Mande music with some top notch Malian musicians, including Baru Diallo (Ali Farka Toure, Afel Bocoum), members of Oumou Samgare’s band, and other guests.

In addition to the music album, tentatively titled The Mande Sessions, I will produce a ‘making of the album’ documentary film featuring footage of the sessions and the sensational Bamako, Mali, music scene, and offering glimpses into the lives of some of my close Malian friends. The Mande Sessions film is not only one man’s story of music and friendship and an insight into the spirit of a struggling African nation, but a picture of West Africa told through an intimate understanding of Mande life and culture.

This film project is a labor-of-love inspired by my drive to share Mali’s vibrant culture and music as well as my personal experience and relationships in Mali. As you can imagine, there are significant expenses required to make this film. These include travel (filmmaker, sound engineer, photographer, potential second camera-person), film permit, equipment insurance, vehicle rental/on-the-ground transportation, Translator for crew, filmmaker and editorial fees, and more.

Along with filmmaker Jason Miller, I invite your contributions to this project. There are two ways to donate:

You may direct contributions to African Sky, a wonderful 501(c)3 organization doing grassroots sustainable development work in rural Mali (building schools, repairing wells, supporting artisans in making fair trade medical scrubs and other products, arts programs, and more). Visit the African Sky homepage to learn more about its work, and visit the organization’s Causes page on Facebook to make your tax deductible donation online. Please indicate your donation is for “Adam Klein” and the funds will channel through African Sky to The Mande Sessions film project. African Sky’s Tax ID # is 20-1761327.

Prefer sending a check? Please make the check out to African Sky, indicating “Adam Klein” in the memo line, and mail to:
African Sky
P.O. Box 203
Munroe Falls, Ohio 44262

Or… Donate online at Fractured Atlas:
The Mande Sessions’ Documentary Film is also a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of ‘The Mande Sessions’ Documentary Film may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution online at Fractured Atlas. Your valued support is only a click away:

https://www.fracturedatlas.org/donate/3044

I am seeking in-kind donations as well in the form of Buddy Passes and Sky Miles.

I’ll be discussing the project on Athens, Georgia NPR-affiliate WUGA’s (91.7fm) “African Perpectives” program on Monday, January 11th, 4:30pm. Tune in or listen online here.

Please note: I feel extremely grateful for the support shown by friends, family, and others on behalf of my musical endeavors, including The Mande Sessions music album. The opportunity to make a documentary film and share my deep love for Mali with others is invaluable and extraordinary. The process of filming, post-production, submitting and screening the film on the festival circuit, etc. is quite lengthy and expensive. For these reasons I am asking all supporters, Mali fans, world music lovers, etc. to join me in making this film a reality. Didn’t get a chance to donate to the music project on Kickstarter? Here’s a chance to become a part of these exciting efforts! All donors will receive a credit listed at the end of the film, and as the process continues I may develop additional rewards such as t-shirts, a copy of the DVD, etc. I do not intend, however, to initiate further public fundraising campaigns in the near future for my musical and artistic endeavors.

With my great thanks for your support,
Adam Klein

Enjoyed a whole month (nearly) back in Athens.. laying low, doing some recording w/ AJ at his Troubadour Den studios for the next record, "Wounded Electric Youth", working on plans for the Mali documentary film on the 'making of the album' for the Malian music album coming up in early 2010, in Bamako, Mali. And working on Cowboy Angel- got some phenomenal new acts and releases for 2010 coming down the line. Fantastic music and artists/bands.

Justin Evans released "The Owls & The Hounds" and The Granfalloons put out "Songs to Sing" at a dual cd release show on October 30th. Two beautiful records I've been enjoying constantly since they got in my hands. Please hop over to www.cowboyangelmusic.com whenever you get the chance to check out the updates, artists, etc. And keep coming back there.. you should see exciting new developments over the course of the next few months!

Spent a few weeks in October on the road- hitting some spots in the midwest and northeast (see the blog page for the whole run-down).

Heading up north for first half of December, with shows in PHOENIXVILLE (PA), FREDERICK (MD), and BROOKLYN (NY), Dec. 9th, 10th, & 12th respectively. Check out the Shows page for the info and links.

Thanks for checking back in and Happy Holidays!

A hearty and much appreciated THANK YOU to everyone who showed support for the recent Kickstarter initiative, in which funds were successfully raised to record an album of Malian 'Mande' music in Bamako, Mali, in early 2010. I'll update everyone on plans and details of that trip as it solidifies.

Special thanks to the following friends and valued supporters (and those wishing to remain anonymous) for helping to make this exciting and meaningful project possible:

Rusti & Jared Klein
Melissa Chiz
George & Sylvia Plutchok
Jeff & Brooke Ahrens
Chaim & Janet Dardik
Nathaniel Klein
Jim McGown
Michael Shimansky
Laura Riss
Hannah Koenker
Melissa Gelbart
Randy & Linda Plutchok
Jamie Lauren Zimmerman
Lilach Epstein
William & Laura O'Boyle
David Goldsmith
Dan Bellrichard
Rachel N'Diaye
Dean Hamerly
Eleanor Kane
Rachel Eliazar
Eric Samson & Michaela Bamdad
Ygal Arounian
Nina Borremans
Ben Vago
Andre Walvius
Greg Langsdale
David Linnell
Angela & Richard Meltzer
Bob & Sherrie Klein
Slavka & Ed Halper
Noel Weichbrodt
Andre Mershon
Nikki Chamoy
Emily MacDonald
Donald & Meta Backer
Shannon Taylor
Abby Boorstin
Judith Gilbert
Adam Wexler
Nehama Rogozen
Steve Fishman
Nate Field
Hagit Biton
Heather Plutchok
Laura Smith
Menachem Freedman
Kori McGarry
Michelle Maslov Forman
Janet Geddis
Killick Hinds & Delene Porter
David Small
Alicia Arnold-Compere
Helen Wei
Philip Schlossberg
Alison Trafton
Carrie Thom
Rhiannon McClatchey
Emily Kates
Joshua Berman
Rich Edwards
Suzanne Lipkin
Mark Jensen

Hey folks. Thanks for checking in. Back in Athens following the summer in Uganda and an excellent Europe tour (Netherlands, Ireland, England).

As of this evening the Kickstarter funding project has ended and was a complete success! Thanks to everyone who supported the process. Off to Mali in early 2010 to record a Malian music record.

Tune into Knoxville's WDVX on Wednesday @ 12pm or stream my live performance on the Blue Plate Special show at www.wdvx.org.

Off to Nashville for the Americana Music Association conference and a few fun days in one of my favorite towns.

Been blogging about the Europe trip and recent news. Check out the blog page for the stories and run-down, and www.myspace.com/adamkleinmusic for the Balcony TV footage, shot on a balcony in Dublin! Also read a fine review of the Newcastle show here: www.jumpinhot.com/reviews_1.htm

This fall should see some shows up north (DC to Boston), releasing three fantastic records on Cowboy Angel (more info to come shortly), and hopefully work will begin on the recording of my next (third) album. Details forthcoming.

See y'all soon,
adam

Hello again! Only 28 days remaining in the Kickstarter fundraising initiative. Long way to go. Every contribution is helpful and will be appreciated. The project is only funded through Kickstarter website if the $7500 goal is met by the deadline (Sept. 13th). Thanks to all who have made a pledge. I'm counting on friends and supporters to help bring this Malian music project to fruition. Please join me in this effort. Rest assured you will be pleased with this personal landmark record and happy to be associated with it.

Paste Magazine chimed in on the initiative in its "Five Reasons Why Globalization Rocks" write-up. Check it out here:
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/08/the-best-of-globalizati...

In Amsterdam now. Shows in Netherlands, Ireland, and England coming up these next few weeks. Check out the Shows page for info and come say hey.

Just back from seven weeks in Uganda working with Uganda Urphans Rural Development Program (UORDP). I'll plan on getting my notes typed out when I settle back into Athens in the coming months.

That's the quick run-down. The canals are calling, shrouded in evening light..

Announcing 'The Mande Sessions', an exciting new music project. I've started an initiative on kickstarter.com seeking to find 'backers' to pledge support for my Malian Mande-music album I hope to make in late 2009/early 2010.

I'll be traveling to Bamako to record original Bambara songs with top musicians. The album will be a rustic collection influenced by Aboubacar Traore, Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate, and Salif Keita's acoustic work, among others. The instrumentation will feature acoustic and some electric guitar, tamani, dun dun, djembe, and calabash drums, kora and ngoni, and some balafon.. plus, of course, beautiful choruses of 'call and response' voices.

I'm giving away tons of cool prizes and rewards to the folks that back the project.

See how it all works and be a 'backer' at the following site: www.kickstarter.com/profile/adamklein

Here's a cool video with details:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FxkRz01MgQ

I'm pleased to have been nominated for Best Solo Performer in Athens' Flagpole Music Awards. All are welcome to vote. Cast your ballot online @ www.flagpole.com/Awards and see what's been going on in town this past year..

Back from a two week trip to Nicaragua. See the blog page for a bit more on that. Had a great time working with AJWS (www.ajws.org) and the development agency Nochari in the town of Nandaime. Also traveled to the fine colonial town of Grenada, the beautiful island of Ometepe (its straight out of 'Lost' and hoping to officially become the 8th wonder of the world), and some days surfing (trying, at least) down at San Juan del Sur, the latest hot travel spot in Nica. Definitely go if you get a chance, and make sure to swing north to the mountains of Matagalpa (my next route) for excellent coffee and off the beaten track Nica. Used my friend Josue's guide book, the Moon Handbook to Nicaragua, and it was useful and excellent. Highly recommended.

A few shows coming up before I head out for another AJWS 'gig' in Uganda for the summer:

SAT. JUNE 13th @ Caledonia Lounge (Athens)- w/ Wydelles and Kaitlin Jones & The County Fair

SAT. JUNE 20th @ Roots Cafe (Brooklyn)- w/ Raphael McGregor and the good man Pete Sinjin.

Oh! Shows coming up in Europe in mid-August to early September. Check the Shows page and come on out in Netherlands, Ireland & England!

Check out the Shows page for links, info, etc.

More soon,
adam

Hello there! Back from some months of travels in West Africa. New shows coming up (Athens, Atlanta & NYC), new blog posted.. visit the blog page for a look!

Exciting news on the Cowboy Angel Music front. We'll be putting out some exciting stuff in the coming (X) period of time. Look out for Nutria's next pop rock gem, 'Permanent Reminder of a Temporary Emotion'. Bob Spires, Jay Gonzaez & co. are back with another great record and Cowboy Angel is pleased to send it your way!

Athens Americana festival's coming up: April 24th & 25th @ Little Kings in Athens. Hell of a line-up (Vigilantes of Love, Hope For Agoldensummer, Little Country Giants, Dave Marr, Don Chambers, Wydelles, Curley Maple, Justin Evans & The Chinatown Diary, Kaitlin Jones & The County Fair.. plus other great Athens songwriters and bands. See what I mean?

Check out www.cowboyangelmusic.com for the schedule and related info. It's $6/night, 21+.

More soon,
adam

Paste Magazine recommends 'Western Tales & Trails', and has placed the record at its listening station in select independent record stores nationwide! Check out www.pasterecommends.com & see if it's in a store near you!

And on a side note, I'm off to South Africa today for a safari and travels, followed by three + months back in Mali, West Africa, where I'll be visiting friends, returning to 'my' village, and hopefully doing a good bit of writing on the music & creative writing fronts.

Thanks for a great 2008 & all the continued support for 'Western Tales & Trails'! Looking forward to seeing y'all next time, somewhere...

take care,
adam

Here's a heck of a review from the fine folks at Americana UK:

Compelling stories from a gifted storyteller

The bullfrog told Adam Klein where to find his songs if the sleeve of “Western Tales and Trails” is to be believed. The amphibian in question was descended from the bullfrog who spoke to Townes Van Zandt and its great great grandmother had once been on a date with the bullfrog who had spoken to Neil Young. This bullfrog must have known what he was talking about because with his help Klein has found a rich vein of songwriting material and mined it with extraordinary skill. Klein it seems is a collector of stories, a man who “…listens with his entire body…”, impressively well travelled, a collator of histories and characters and their voices. His sophomore record speaks in all these voices with a sense of great authenticity. It evokes at times the Great Plains, grand open vistas, at other times giving off a strong Laurel Canyon vibe, sweet and good natured. They sit side by side with one never seeming derivative of the other. Neither does it seem Klein is content to simply emulate the sounds and stories that inspired him because his songs are written with great intelligence and insight. “Nomie Wise” is a well worn murder ballad with its perspective shifted to the first person, “Dead Cow Hill” is a spare and stately elegy for Butch and Sundance and “Joni (Corner of a Dark Café)” is the other half of the conversation in Mitchell’s “The Last Time I Saw Richard.” Along the way there are songs of desolation and longing, dancing whores and retold legends. Especially memorable is the shootout among the “Purple Sage”, with its driving rockabilly shuffle and twanging Telecaster. It’s incredible stuff, a distillation of wide and tasteful influences that still manages to speak in its own compelling voice. And these stories, these characters, are all lent the sweetest and shakiest of vocals, recalling Paul Simon but imbued with the wide eyed spirit of Neil Young. Klein has some hefty talent behind him, including alumni of records by Robbie Robertson, The Allman Brothers and John Prine. The most recent addition to the Drive By Truckers, John Neff even lends pedal steel to one track, but it’s Klein’s talent that takes centre stage with his remarkable gift for crafting a song and delivering it with utter conviction. This is music to be celebrated and one gets the impression that the brassy fanfare that closes “Western Tales and Trails” is truly well earned.
-Alex Cleary