Werqu, Asnaqetch – “Lady With The Krar – Ethiopiques 16, The ” – [Buda Musique]

Thurston Hunger   4/27/2006   CD, International

The sweet sixteenth release of the Ethiopiques series turns
a bit sour. Asnaqetch Wergu’s scrambling, dry clawing lyre
sounds almost like a banjo under hypnosis. Her brittle pluck
recalls the submersive gypsy sounds from “Latcho Drom.”
Her voice add a little soft honey to that, but she’s not
really singing her lungs out, instead its a steady, talky
sort of lamenting delivery. The words evidently are where
the exertion is going, her heart is on display, whether
wrapped in chains, or pulsing on silk sheets. The lyrics
are fascinating, but of course not sung in English. As a
result, our English mileage is best limited in small doses
as befits radio. Or in following along with the translations
as the lyrics are amazing wth forbidden and unbidden love
themes. “El Lehem” is one solid example. “Like Jerusalem”
(#11) has a very different potent vibe. Packaging is as
beautiful as Asnaqetch throughout the years. -Hunger

Haiku Review:
Hypnotic brittle
The heart after passion’s flame
Crawls across her krar