L'Amour à la Folie, the final album by the famous Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, pioneers of Afro-rock and psychedelic blues, was recorded during the lifetime of Amadou Bagayoko, who died last April at the age of 70. Today, surrounded by her faithful musicians and supported by her son Sam, Mariam Doumbia has returned to the road for a series of concerts in France, Belgium, the United States and Canada.
Find this interview with Mariam Doumbia from Amadou & Mariam in our weekly n°215. Discover our subscription plans.
Where do you find the strength to pursue your solo career?
For over forty years I played with my husband. Before that, I was already in music with my father. So I can't stop suddenly. I miss my husband a lot. It's not easy but I am a fighter, a courageous woman and I will continue. Now I ask my son, Sam, to play with me. Singer and guitarist, he performs some pieces by his father and myself such as “Sunday in Bamako”. It relieves me and gives me courage. With my musicians, we have known each other for more than twenty years. We are all together. Amadou is no longer there, but he plays in me.
How did the creation part go with Amadou?
Everyone composed on their own. Amadou was in the morning and I was at night, in peace, then we met again for the arrangement. He said to me “My lady, add this, take that away”. I told him the same. I would sing a melody, he would cover it on the guitar, we would then arrange it together. Everyone added their part.
Tell us about the title on which the Congolese Fally Ipupa collaborated.
With Fally, we had known each other for a long time but until then, we had never found the opportunity to work together. He participated in the title “Sonfo” which says that everyone has a fault and that when you love, you should not listen to what people say. In homes, on the street and even from your children. Amadou and I, after more than forty years together, when we had a problem, we sat down, we discussed and we always found a solution.
