h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Don't know why, but I was suddenly reminded of the one and only live concert I've experienced with Compay Segundo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compay_Segundo

I think it was one of his very last concerts, at the Falun Folk Music Festival.

Picture a short, stringy, wrinkled man next to a burly, tall youth.

They start singing - one tenor, one bass. At first, you'd think it was the big guy singing bass and the small guy singing tenor - but after a while, it became clear that it was the other way around.

And what a bass - from such a small man!

The concert took place in a small circus tent. Wooden benches, sawdust.

And with each song, the audience becomes more and more enthusiastic, until everyone stands up and start dancing.

This in turn triggers Compay Segundo to give even more - he starts flirting with his guitar, dancing with it, carressing it as if it were a woman.

It all keeps escalating until, and including, the Grand Finale - which leaves everyone feeling hilariously happy, exhausted and sweaty - musicians, singers and audience alike.

Haven't been able to find any youtube clips from Falun, but this one's pretty good anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cBBj3tqiNQ

And, for some reason, Cesaria Evora comes next after Compay Segundo.

The barefoot diva performed one year during the (now late) Stockholm Water Festival.

'If the pigeon is happy in its nest, then I am happy too' or some such (don't really know any Portuguese):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78li5r-aO7E