Amadou & Mariam //
Away From the Light of Day tells the story of Amadou's life, from his early blindness and his search as a musician to meeting Mariam and becoming a popular musical duo. Previously available in France as 'A part de la lumière de jour', this biography (written with the help of Idrissa Keïta) is now widely available in an English translation published by Route.
Amadou has had problems with his eyesight ever since he was a boy. He was only five when he fully lost his sight. In Away From the Light of Day he gives us a detailed account of his personal journey as a musician; how he came from an assortment of local bands to become one half of the world famous duo Amadou & Mariam.
Over the last ten years they trekked endlessly around the international circuit, where they came into contact with a huge array of fellow musicians who wanted to work with them. It's a fascinating journey that's wonderfully and vividly laid out in Away From the Light of Day. At the back of the book there's a nice interview with the pair called 'An Afternoon with Amadou and Mariam' that's a nice companion to the Booktunes interview with these two brilliant artists.
Download the Booktunes compilation to accompany this story and listen to the songs that illustrate their way.