South Sudan Street Survivors

It’s great to hear music from South Sudan, especially on a reputable label like IRL. But it’s baffling that the honour should be given to the blind singer and guitarist who calls himself General Paolino, presumably in honour of the late deputy commander-in-chief of the South Sudan army. He’s surely not the best that Juba has to offer. Two years ago, soon after independence, I visited Africa’s newest nation to report on the music scene (in Songlines #79). Nobody was talking about Paolino and, according to the latest musical reports I’ve received from Juba, that’s still the case. So it’s odd that he should be being promoted as a legend, or ‘the blind Bob Marlef’ of South Sudan.

What matters of course is the music. The recording session was a makeshift affair, in an unfinished building. Paolino sings in a relaxed husky voice, accompanying himself on a guitar that’s at times out-of-tune, and at his best he’s a pleasantly sturdy, rough and ready performer. Yet the most exciting two tracks on the album are not from Paolino but from a fine female singer, described simply as Mama Celina. Is this the celebrated Celina Kukwa? There are no details provided. The album was produced by Ian Brennan, who brought the delightful Malawi Mouse Boys to the West’s attention. I suspect that Paolino’s career won’t change in quite the same way. It’s a shame Brennan didn’t check out Juba’s other musicians, like the inspired blind singer Gordon Koang.