DIALY THE STORYTELLER

Dialy, pronounced, ‘Gee-AH-lee’, means Storyteller in the West African language of Mandinka.

‘Dialy the Storyteller’ is a contemporary blend of Senegalese Folk and Americana, that captures the prayers and masterful kora (African Harp) playing of a West African storyteller, Boujou Badialy Cissoko.

Boujou Badialy Cissoko, was born in the village of Kazamasa, Senegal, West Africa, into a family of storytellers, who keep the musical tradition and beauty of Senegal alive…..

Dialy, is orchestrated with musical accompaniment by some of the world’s top recording artists, including such greats as the legendary percussionist Ms. Bobbye Hall (Joni Mitchell/Marvin Gaye), the bass playing of Ian Walker (K.D. Lang), Jon Osman on guitar (Paula Cole), Greg Ellis providing percussion (Vas), and Quinn on drums (Tracy Chapman).

After the passing of Boujou’s father, the legendary Kora player, Bakary Cissoko, Boujou and music producer Shannon Michael Terry traveled to Senegal to record the vocal performances of Boujou and his sisters, Fatu Cissoko and Dialy Sira Cissoko. In this musical homage to their father, the sisters provided the essential feminine resonance that each story needed to complete the journey home.
credits
released April 13, 2013

Produced by Shannon Michael Terry
Co-produced by Keith Jones

Boujou Badialy Cissoko < kora, vocals
Dialy Sira Cissoko and Fatu Cissoko < vocal arrangement and performance
Ian Walker < bass
Jon Osman < piccolo bass and guitar
Mz Bobbye Hall < elegant percussion
Domonic Dean Breaux < saxophone and flute track 3,4,7
Papis Cissoko < keys and horn melody track 4
Don Barrozo < trumpet track 4
Paul Tchounga < drums track 4,8
Quinn < drums and percussion track 2, 5, 6
Greg Ellis < percussion track 1, 3, 6, 7
Munyungo Jackson < percussion track 8
Shannon Michael Terry < array mbira track 2
Aziz Faye < sabar drums track 4

All songs by Boujou Badialy Cissoko
Except track 6 by Walker, Hall, Ossman, Cissoko