A Very Special Cassette Tape Sharity

Edwina Lee Tyler, Drum Drama! Live from the People's Voice Cafe (Percussion Piquant, 1988)

As the title suggests, this cassette records a twenty-year-old concert by drummer Edwina Lee Tyler, educator and performer. Since the late-eighties, her work has continued unabated: she plays at elementary schools, teaching students about African musical traditions, and instructs drumming at festivals, womyn drumming schools, and various cultural camps.

A former member of an all-woman drumming quintet, she has also appeared on Broadway (in a supporting role as "drummer") and done some credited session work.

There are only five tracks on this tape. The first or "Cool" side is more contemporary (using a variety of semi-percussive instruments, including some sort of homemade hammer dulcimer) than the traditional drumming on the "Hot" side. I rather like the first track, "Dear Poppy," and "Wade in the Water" is a nice take on a familiar spiritual. "Wonders of the World" seems conceptually interesting, but Jawole Willa Jo Zoller's rhythmic breathing isn't miked well enough. The second side is dominated by the fifteen-minute "Ki Yak Ki Yak," which is quite nice.

The music is available here, with the insert art as well. Consider this my April posting.

Track-list:
The Cool Side
1. Dear Poppy
2. Wonders of the World
3. Wade in the Water

The Hot Side
1. Out of Bondage
2. Ki Yak Ki Yak