Embedded Files
1981 to now
I joined The Ouagadougou Township Rockers soon after the Vital Disorders - there were lots of connections between the two bands. The name was simplified because promoters kept getting it wrong and even the simple version was prone to speling mistaches. The band was formed in 1980 and there was at least one gig a year until 2018 - there is talk of a 40th party post-covid. A couple of numbers have been recorded remotely during lockdown. Memorable gigs include opening the Waterfront, Norwich in 1991, when we supported Desmond Dekker.
Special Announcement
How Long by The Ouagadougous was recorded during lockdown to raise money towards the response to Covid-19 in Burkina Faso. Please consider making a contribution here. Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso, from where the band gets its name.
Artwork - Mark Flanagan
Composers
How Long - Ben Higham, Caroline Davison
Chasing The Bird - Ben Higham
Dagga Special - Nigel Reigate, Paul House
Money O - Lord Kitchener
Rhino's Rumba - Saville Kushner
Gabenta - Muisc by Paa Akrashie, words by Saville Kushner or Nick May
Featured on recordings
Al Boorman - production (How Long 2021)
Ali Houlibec - sax
Ben Higham - trumpet, vocals
Caroline Davison - vocals
John Thirkettle - percussion
Mark Flanagan - guitar, vocals
Mark House - alto sax, vocals
Nick May - percussion
Nigel Reigate - guitar, vocals
Paul Fitzgerald - production 1983
Paul House - bass
Pete Kitson - drums
Pip Cartwright - trombone
Saville Kushner - tenor sax, vocals
Sian Croose - vocals
Other lineups have included
Bins - vocals
Chris Hawkins - guitar
Chris Paul - percussion
Kim - drums
Lenneka Van Gilst - vocals
Laurie A'Court - sax
Matt Ivens - percussion
Nicki Cutler - vocals
Ruth Katra - vocals
Simon Youngman - sax
Stevie Bear - percussion
Suzy - vocals
Tim Mayer - sax
Trevor Rowland - sax
Rehearsing at UEA village 1980s. Top right picture, left to right: Nick, Pete, Trev, Saville, Paul, Nigel, Pip. Top left: Ben and Pete.
My 40th. Left to right: Caroline (very pregnant), Nigel, Ben behind me, Simon
Unknown gig. We must be playing Save Me, because I'm playing a Pipalo solo.
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