The making of the album ‘La Candela Viva’

Totó la Momposina

In 1991 Totó La Momposina began recording her seminal album La Candela Viva at Real World Studios with the legendary producer Phil Ramone (Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin…) at the controls, capturing Totó as she performed live at Real World Studios.

In 2015 Totó returned to Real World for the release of her album Tambolero an album that re-imagines the original La Candela Viva album.

This video contains original interview material with Phil Ramone, an in-the-studio discussion with Peter Gabriel and some previously unseen footage from the recording session in 1991 as well as showing Totó’s return to the studio in 2015 and her memories of those original sessions.

More from Totó la Momposina

Further reading

Bab L’ Bluz announce new album

Come, enter the world of Swaken, the much anticipated second album by Bab L' Bluz.

The Zawose Queens from Tanzanian musical dynasty announce debut album Maisha

The Zawose Queens, Pendo and Leah, are the daughter and grand-daughter of the late Dr. Hukwe Zawose.

A Tribute to Ernesto ‘Teto’ Ocampo (1969-2023)

Sidestepper's Richard Blair remembers his late bandmate Teto.

Track of the day: ‘AmmA’ by Bab L’ Bluz

'AmmA' draws on music from north-east Morocco and influences from Tunisia and Algeria.