ISLAMABAD:
As part of a two-day memorial concert — hosted by the American embassy in partnership with the Pakistan Council of the Arts (PNCA) — American country singer Mary McBride’s clear, resonant vocals paid tribute to late American journalist Daniel Pearl. According to US Ambassador Cameron Munter, Pearl was a classically trained musician, “a devotee of bluegrass; he played the flute.”
McBride’s uplifting and distinctive ‘Americana’ style — a union of bluegrass, country, blues, gospel and Dixie jazz — brought the best of America’s honky-tonk soul to Islamabad, engaging in much-needed cross-cultural dialogue.
Accompanied by Paul Carbonera (guitar), Gregg Beshers (acoustic/electric guitar), Dan Carr (bass), and the prodigious Grammy winner Bobby Lloyd Hicks (drums), McBride serenaded the evening with original tracks from her 2010 album, The Way Home, and covers of Ray Charles and Hank Williams’ (“I’m so Lonesome I could Cry”— a real crowd pleaser) to name a few. Her country-rock twist on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and “Dil, Dil, Pakistan” elicited strong reactions from the crowd.
The Express Tribune met up with Mary McBride after the concert for exclusive interview.
Background
“I come from a musical family and started performing at the age of nine. I’ve done four albums and started touring in 2002 — which is when we really got noticed by labels. We signed our latest album, The Way Home, with Bogan Records in 2010. Now we’re on our world tour. It’s my first state-sponsored tour.”
Musical influences
McBride explains that she blends a variety of styles — a mix of downtown Washington and Louisiana influences. “Country is such an easy transition into R&B and rock. We do a little of everything.” Yet McBride’s vocal range transcends the country genre; her powerful mezzo-soprano voice is indicative of classical training (at one point during the concert, McBride left the microphone and launched into an operatic solo).
McBride mentions that she once planned to be an opera singer and was taught by the late Dorothy Remington. In terms of song writing, she cites The Beatles as her key influence. Willie Nelson, country singer-songwriter, poet and author is yet another inspiration and McBride fondly recalls touring with him.
Social activism
Like Nelson, McBride’s musical journey incorporates social work; her major project, The Home Tour (founded in 2010) was launched in coordination with the release of her latest record. “The aim was to play for people who don’t have ready access to music. We go to them. We’ve played for the elderly; at women’s shelters, prisons, hospitals and low-income housing schemes.”
Performing in Pakistan
“There are two things that have been most significant for me: The Home Tour and the work we’re doing as cultural ambassadors.” In her view, cultural diplomacy really does work; McBride adds that she’ll be leaving Pakistan with a changed vision of the place. McBride labels herself a ‘news junkie’, so she’s always been in the loop about Pakistan. “But reading about a place isn’t the same as experiencing it. I think my greatest discovery about Pakistan has been the incredible generosity and how welcome people have made us feel.” McBride and her band met local musicians, amongst whom upcoming Sufi singer Usman Shakeel left a lasting impression.
McBride’s got two more weeks in Pakistan — she’ll be heading to Lahore and Karachi next. “The US state department is the greatest booking agent,” she jokes.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2011.
For more pictures from the concert, view slideshow here.
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Wheres the memorial for 33,000 other people who have lost lives in this adventure.