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Stan Tohon and his Waterdrums
If you come to Cotonou and you recommend yourself as being my friend, then ...

In this interview recorded by Clement Lawson on 12th March 2014, Stan Tohon talks about his preparation to perform on stage at Caravane d’Afrique 2014.

Stan Tohon, who is participating for the second consecutive year to the Caravane d’Afrique concert, is a singer, songwriter, musician and percussionist of global fame. He is a big star and a true living legend in his native country, the francophone Republic of Benin (not to be confused with the neighbouring Nigerian federated Benin state). He was still very young, a teenager, when he began reciting the melodic repertories of James Brown and Otis Redding on stage. Stan just needed the melodic line and his talent took care of the rest.

In 1977, just a few months before sitting for his end of first cycle of secondary education exam, he released a single,Yallow, his mythical title which immediately became a hit, while he was in 4th grade at Owego secondary school in Benin. In this song, he did not hesitate to ridicule the official Marxist line of the time in his country which actively praised the proletariat.

Yallow can be translated by: misery is venomous like a snake. If poverty or that generously praised misery of that proletariat stuff bites you, you may die.

This audacity earned him two years of broadcasting ban in his country. Politically neither left nor right, nor even of centre wing, the columnist minded artist, with his acerbic sense of humour, coupled with a village elder's educational skills or manners, became politically unclassifiable. In his songs he alternately nabs or congratulates one or the other, on a case by case basis, with his compositions. And this done in accordance with a very old African village tradition of singers specialised in public affairs.

If you come to Cotonou and you recommend yourself as being my friend, then ...

In this interview recorded by Clement Lawson on 12th March 2014, Stan Tohon talks about his preparation to perform on stage at Caravane d’Afrique 2014.

Stan Tohon, who is participating for the second consecutive year to the Caravane d’Afrique concert, is a singer, songwriter, musician and percussionist of global fame. He is a big star and a true living legend in his native country, the francophone Republic of Benin (not to be confused with the neighbouring Nigerian federated Benin state). He was still very young, a teenager, when he began reciting the melodic repertories of James Brown and Otis Redding on stage. Stan just needed the melodic line and his talent took care of the rest.

In 1977, just a few months before sitting for his end of first cycle of secondary education exam, he released a single,Yallow, his mythical title which immediately became a hit, while he was in 4th grade at Owego secondary school in Benin. In this song, he did not hesitate to ridicule the official Marxist line of the time in his country which actively praised the proletariat.

Yallow can be translated by: misery is venomous like a snake. If poverty or that generously praised misery of that proletariat stuff bites you, you may die.

This audacity earned him two years of broadcasting ban in his country. Politically neither left nor right, nor even of centre wing, the columnist minded artist, with his acerbic sense of humour, coupled with a village elder's educational skills or manners, became politically unclassifiable. In his songs he alternately nabs or congratulates one or the other, on a case by case basis, with his compositions. And this done in accordance with a very old African village tradition of singers specialised in public affairs.

A meeting of African sax from Cameroon with the Waterdrums from the Republic of Benin

Hello Stan Tohon, you are a reference to African music, not to say to the Republic of Benin. In what state of mind are you preparing to perform on stage at the next Caravane d’Afrique 2014 scheduled 7th June at the Planetarium Casino of Pougue-les-Eaux, in Burgundy (France)?

I started to prepare this show since January 2014.

I'm currently listening carefully to Manu Dibango’s songs I plan to interpret, because between Manu and me, it is a kind of exchange that will allow me to sing some of his songs and that will allow Manu to sing my songs with me.

It is a meeting of African sax, sax of Cameroon with the Tchink System Waterdrums from Benin.

Come along with your children for a nice family outing to the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, on 7th June, 2014.
The number of seats is limited. Buy early bird tickets and save! Take advantage of our special discounts: the earlier you buy, the less you pay and you're sure to have a place! Come along with your children for a nice family outing to the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, on 7th June, 2014 that promises to be a memorable evening.

Come and see for yourselves in order to confidently tell the story

Let's then talk about these Tchink System Waterdrums, for people who do not know them. So do you confirm these Waterdrums will be on stage on June 7th at Caravane d’Afrique 2014 musical concert?

Yes, the Waterdrums will be well on stage at Caravane d’Afrique “ 2014. I also intend to provide a surprise in addition to Manu Dibango for this great show at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux and I would recommend to everyone to come and see for themselves in order to confidently be able to tell the big story about this.

Creating such a surprise effect is good, but I hope that every effort will be made ​​to ensure that all artists are welcomed in the best conditions...

It is about artists that would be happy to participate in the event to show Amtha that what she’s been doing over the years about Caravane d’Afrique, she was not doing it vacuously into an empty well and that there are people from the Togolese Diaspora, that there are people from the French audience, Americans and many other people as well who support her endeavours. I will also be on the accordion that people have never seen here in Benin. I play the accordion in my way, for an amazing show, also dedicated to encourage our sister Amtha Kol and tell her to never give up.

Stan Tohon, Fôô Fanick Dr Drums and Amtha Kol

Stan Tohon: So it's Fôô Fanick who created the contact between Amtha Kol and me. Amtha reportedly talked a lot about my Tchink System music she loves.
Stan Tohon: So it's Fôô Fanick who created the contact between Amtha Kol and me. Amtha reportedly talked a lot about my Tchink System music she loves.

How did you first hear about Amtha Kol as Director of Caravane d’Afrique?

I was introduced to her by Fôô Fanick Dr Drums, who is currently pursuing his career in Germany. Fôô Fanick is responsible for coordinating the orchestration side of all my repertoire and that of Manu Dibango (Editor's note: Dr. Fôô Fanick Dr Drums is the artistic director of the 2014 edition of Caravane d’Afrique, and also Ambassador appointed by the festival director for the second consecutive year).

So it's Fôô Fanick who created the contact between Amtha Kol and me. Amtha reportedly talked a lot about my Tchink System music she loves. So Fôô Fanick said he would see what he can do for the king of Tchink System to participate in the festival. Thus, already last year (June 2013: 3rd edition of Caravane d’Afrique) I was invited by Amtha Kol to attend the festival, and this year I gladly spoke to Manu Dibango, inviting him to attend. So it's me and him together, so we can help discover this directory in Pougues-les-Eaux.

That's all about it. It's a matter of partying with Caravane d’Afrique because Amtha Kol deserves this honour

Stan Tohon : Quiconque vient au concert du 7 juin 2014 de la Caravane d’Afrique au Casino de Pougues-les-Eaux, pourra découvrir les tambours d’eau du Bénin dans toute leur splendeur. Ça ne serait pas un spectacle pour un spectacle mais une collaboration parce que Manu Dibango sait que je fais des recherches.
Stan Tohon: Whoever comes to the 7th June 2014 Caravane d’Afrique concert at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, will discover the Tchink System Waterdrums from the Republic of Benin in all their splendor. It would not be a show for a show but some collaboration based event because Manu Dibango knows that I am doing extensive research.

So Stan Tohon is a guest artist of Caravane d’Afrique 2014 and Stan Tohon on his turn invites Manu Dibango and other artists. And in this invitation game, the guest would also have guests. Is that correct?

(Laughs out loud ...) You understood, Clement. The guest has guests including Manu Dibango and that's all about it. It is a matter of partying with Caravane d’Afrique because Amtha Kol deserves this honour and we will make every effort to support this festival.

Isn’t there some kind of risks of confusion because the event organizer is usually supposed to be the one who selects and invites artists and by the way, who respectfully pays the fees, isn’t it?

 

Yes!

This might sound a bit like a kind of complicated internal business that needs to be addressed but in general ...

The sticking point that will be pending here is that my guests come as artists, but they must follow the programme and guide-lines set by Caravane d’Afrique.

And therefore, the planning and programme set by the festival director?…

Voilà. I speak as an artist and I am aware and full of respect towards Amtha Kol. So in my performance, there will be Manu Dibango and other artists. But this will have no cost towards the budget, on the contrary. This will only bring advantages to the organisation. We are all invited and we will follow the law and guide-lines set by Caravane d’Afrique.

Everyone knows precisely what role he or she should play, in a friendly atmosphere

Law that is furthermore friendly, but are you sure that the exceptional participation of a monument such as Manu Dibango would have no cost to Caravane d’Afrique?

No, But I mean Amtha Kol has already met with Manu Dibango and negotiated all about his contract. Everything is perfect and she has no problem with Manu Dibango. So to this respect, Manu being my friend, I introduced Amtha Kol to him. That happened to be in the premises of Africa No1 radio in Paris. We met with Manu’s Manager, Claire who is his niece. So all went well. And now everyone knows precisely what role he or she should play. Manu Dibango knows what role he should play. I know what role I have to play and our sister Amtha Kol knows what role she should play.

He added a few highly appreciated sax notes to prove how supportive he is of what I am doing.

Manu Dibango is a top level artist ... I do not mean by this that Stan Tohon would not be a big name. You're both big hitters from the African continent, isn’t it?

Well, you're right. Manu Dibango is my dean and my "daddy." He is someone I do respect and who respects me. He is someone who has always supported my work as an artist. When I invite him, he always comes because he tells himself and is aware of the fact that if I accept to perform somewhere, it would be a quality event. It would not be a kind of standard show for a show but a high profile concert built on a collaboration basis. Manu Dibango knows that I am doing some extensive research.

We already occurred in such a show in the city of Arcueil-Cachan, near Paris. I invited him to Cachan and he came and played with me for hours. There were more than 15,000 members in the audience. In my album Saisis Ta Chance (Seize Your Chance), he gracefully came to play. He added a few highly appreciated sax notes to prove how supportive he is of what I am doing.

He doesn’t call me Stan Tohon but El Mayor, that is to say The Mayor...

And when Manu Dibango calls me, he does not call me Stan Tohon but El Mayor, that is to say The Mayor... of Cotonou (note: the economic capital city of Benin). For him, I am the Mayor of Cotonou!

He says that if you come to Cotonou and you recommend yourself as being my friend, you'll have everything you want, and even what you cannot have.

The Waterdrums are also a way to let people discover Africa

C’était une musique mortuaire qui est devenue une musique de réjouissance. Moi, j’ai modernisé cette musique, j’y ai ajouté des instruments de musique, des guitares, des trompettes, et au lieu de l’appeler Tchinkoumè, de son nom initial, je l’ai renommé Tchink System.
C’était une musique mortuaire qui est devenue une musique de réjouissance. Moi, j’ai modernisé cette musique, j’y ai ajouté des instruments de musique, des guitares, des trompettes, et au lieu de l’appeler Tchinkoumè, de son nom initial, je l’ai renommé Tchink System.

So the actual Mayor of Cotonou, the one in exercice, may have competition, isn’t it?

No, I'm well regarded by Manu Dibango, and when I am in Pougues-les-Eaux, Manu Dibango is a distinguished guest for me, because the sister Amtha, I definitely support her, and that’s a way I wanted to support her, in putting to contribution my relationship with the great Manu, who gracefully accepted because he told his niece, "if Stan is involved, I agree."

And as far as I am concerned, I say that if Amtha is involved, I agree because Amtha Kol is not necessarily running this festival for making money, but this is her way to raise the colours of Africa, through us artists.

Bringing the Waterdrums live to stage at Caravane d'Afrique, I think, is also a way to let people of Pougues-les-Eaux and surroundings discover Africa.

Stan Tohon, how can we describe the Gota Waterdrums of Benin, to someone who would never have heard of them? How can you make music with water? Could you tell us a bit more about this?

For someone who has never heard of Gota Waterdrums I must say that, as the Burundi drums, the water drums of Benin are large calabash half-gourds, which are flipped upside down onto two or three buckets of water. By reversing such gourds, air is trapped between the gourd and the surface of the water.

Le jeu consiste à moduler le son de la boîte de résonnance ainsi créée, en tapant le bord des calebasses avec des baguettes dont les bords sont enrobés de caoutchouc. Ça, c’est les Tohoun (tambours de rivière) ou tambours d’eau, comme on le dit chez nous.

Maintenant le Gota est un gros fruit d’un arbre qu’on appelle le Katin. Ce fruit se mange avec la pâte d’igname pilée qu’on appelle Fufu ici au Bénin. Donc, ce Gota, se joue avec une peau d’animal taillée en forme d’éventail et l’air, qu’il y a entre l’éventail et la calebasse, produit un son comparable à celui d’une grosse caisse, mais une sonorité plus ronde, qui produit un effet extraordinaire et presque surnaturel.

It was originally a mortuary music that became a rejoicing celebration music

After this, we have the bells and castanets. So, as I like to point it out during my tours in America and around the world, I’m proud to say that my ancestors did not create computers like Macintosh, etc, but they created Waterdrums.

And whoever comes to Caravane d’Afrique concert on 7th June 2014 at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, in Burgundy (France) will discover the Waterdrums from Benin in all their splendor.

This music once announced a death in Benin. It was a mortuary music that became an exciting rejoicing celebration music. And as far as I am concerned, I made extensive research about this music and ended up by modernising it. I added more musical instruments, some guitars, trumpets, and instead of calling it Tchinkoume, as its original name, I renamed the resulting sound, thus creating the Tchink System.

Thank you Stan. We started talking a little bit about it. What will fundamentally differentiate this Stan Tohon 2014 performance at Caravane d’Afrique, comparatively to the previous edition?

The previous performance was not with Manu Dibango. For this new edition, I will sing songs from my elder brother, my "dad" Manu, to deliver him the message that the whole of Africa loves him too. And he will also sing my songs with me, sending out the signal that he also loves what I do. Between the saxophone and the Waterdrums from Benin, there will be something like a common union, that is to say a communion, which has never happened anywhere else before, except perhaps in a show two years ago in Arcueil-Cachan, near Paris.

Also, Amtha Kol, will be presenting a show that will be different than what she did last year. Also there will be Fôô Fanick Dr Drums, who is the one who played several years with Alpha Blondy and was the conductor of the Solar System group. He is now carrying on nicely with a solo career in Germany and more precisely in Berlin. I do not forget that the keyboard, Gabriel Tatcho, is a Cameroonian.

Stan Tohon, You are one of the African continent's most productive artists. You release a new album almost every year. Where does this energy come from?

Well let's say that, for some years, I stopped a bit because piracy is ubiquitous on the African record markets, and as there is no strict policy initiated by African governments to quell the piracy in order to allow artists a living from their art, I've suspended the production of my albums, cassettes and other media, for nearly five years.

As I struggled fiercely so that hackers do not touch my work here, my products have become very rare, so that people who are in the Diaspora and asking to buy Tohon’s CDs and cassettes, cannot find them.

But I'm wanting to put on the market a few music-videos to allow people to peacefully enjoy my productions at home together with their children. These bring me much and I am delighted to get some CD volumes in a few days.

Specific message from Stan Tohon to the audience and readers of Caravanedafrique.com

Bring all your children and come along with them at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux
Message from Stan Tohon (Extract): Bring all your children along at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux for this memorable evening of 7th June 2014!

Do you have a specific message for the Caravane d’Afrique audience?

I warmly invite all those in the region or elsewhere, who can come to the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, to purchase a ticket for this type of concert, which is a rare event, because this is the first once Manu Dibango comes in the area, as Caravane d'Afrique managed to achieve this goal.

We need the public to come out in great numbers and support this initiative in order to encourage it; not only to encourage but to discover something definitely new about the creative Africa.

I know that there are Beninese, Togolese, Central Africans, Congolese, Senegalese, … of course people from Burgundy and others who live in Pougues-les-Eaux and around, or from further distance. I invite everybody to come as eyewitness to this show, which will be an event like no other, because it will be more than a concert, a recreational meeting, where they will enjoy a great time of exchange between artists and the public.

Bring all your children and come along with them at the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux for this memorable evening of 7th June 2014.

Come along with your children for a nice family outing to the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, on 7th June, 2014.
The number of seats is limited. Buy early bird tickets and save! Take advantage of our special discounts: the earlier you buy, the less you pay and you're sure to have a place! Come along with your children for a nice family outing to the Planetarium Casino of Pougues-les-Eaux, on 7th June, 2014 that promises to be a memorable evening.

We’ve now reached the end of this interview. And before thanking you, Stan Tohon for your time, would you have something you'd like to add? A final word?

I am very happy to have been interviewed by Clement Lawson, the guy who was responsible for my communication, ten years ago, and I keep good track records of all that work you did and which still follow me. This is a good work; definitely good job! I thank you and I'm glad to see you again soon in Pougues-les-Eaux. I’m very happy about meeting you there.

Thank You Stan Tohon, for your generous words about me and Thanks again for your time receiving me, for Caravane d'Afrique.

This interview withStan Tohon recorded in French on 12th March 2014 and translated into English by Clement R. Lawson