POP MUSIC REVIEW : Barrister: More of a Social Than Musical Statement

Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s performance at the Westwood Playhouse on Saturday was notable more for social factors than musical ones.

The sparse crowd at the loosely organized concert was dominated by Nigerians in formal robes and headgear--not surprising, since Barrister’s all-percussion-and-vocal “fuji music” sound is devoid of any pop touches to make it more than an inside Nigerian thing.

About half the 15-man ensemble played talking drums of different timbres. The lone trace of something different was the almost subliminal marimba/keyboard sound of a mounted set of what looked like cowbells.

The opening, hourlong set was plagued by a multitude of technical problems that prompted a constant switching of microphones and a fuzzy sound. Even so, Barrister’s singing seemed less impressive than on earlier visits here.

Barrister’s second set started with an extended display of “spraying”--the Nigeria custom of presenting money to the performer by plastering bills on his brow. It produced the evening’s one galvanizing moment with the arrival onstage of a spirited woman who chose two very young boys as her partners for some equally wild dancing.