English blues/ world music guitarist-composer Justin Adams is returning to Australia to play WOMADelaide alongside Italian vocalist, violinist and percussionist Mauro Durante – a long-time touring member of Ludovico Einaudi's group.
Active since the 1980s after starting with English new wave band The Impossible Dreamers, Adams has released a number of solo and collaborative albums since the early 2000s.Adams' most recent record was 2021's 'Still Moving', a project with Durante that the pair recorded straight to tape in one session during lockdown in 2020.
He's also collaborated and produced with the likes of Robert Plant and Plant's Sensational Space Shifters (co-writing four albums and touring the world), Tinariwen, Jah Wobble, Brian Eno, Sinéad O'Connor, and Lo'Jo as well as musicians from African, Arabic and Irish traditions.
Together, Adams and Durante's musical dialogue creates simple melodies and haunting repetitive patterns equally suited to dancing and daydreaming.
A seasoned traveller, here Justin shares a few exotic (and not so exotic) breakfasts he has enjoyed while touring the globe.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India)
I just got back from playing at a couple of incredible festivals in old palace forts in Rajasthan, India.On a rooftop overlooking the stunning fortress of Jodhpur, we had fluffy steamed idli cakes with a rich lentil stew called sambar, and paratha bread with mango pickle, all washed down with rich and spicy masala chai. The layers of complex spice flavours are a bit more stimulating than a bowl of cornflakes, to be honest!
Eastern Turkey
An area recently devastated by earthquake, and with a history of border troubles, I had a wonderful time travelling by bus in my 20s in this region.I was sometimes overwhelmed by the kindness of the people I met, and inspired by the soulful music and wild landscapes.
Bus stop breakfasts were delicious – an aluminium plate with honey from the comb, homemade butter, salty-white goat cheese, black olives, fresh bread and hot black tea in a glass.
Motoway services, 1980s England
These were austere places, without the options available these days.There was nothing better than breaking a late-night trip home from a gig, with reggae blasting and non-stop joint rolling to keep the cold out, with an all-day breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, beans, tinned tomatoes and – heaven – fried bread! Mug of stewed tea to counteract the grease and two slices of processed white bread on the side, definitely!
South Congress in Austin, Texas
I always dreamed of touring the States; I finally made it at the age of 30, but since then have then been lucky to tour all over the country, with Sinead O'Connor, then many times with Robert Plant, and recently I've been back with Mauro Durante.Austin, Texas, is one of many musical pilgrimage sites for me, and the Tex-Mex fusion which makes for some great music is equally reflected in the great South Western breakfast, Huevos Racheros: tortillas, beans, eggs, guacamole, maybe some smokey chill. With a cold bottle of Topo Chico water, and an endless cup of (admittedly weak ) coffee, it's a great start to the day.
Andalusia, Spain
Last September I took a break after around 14 months of nearly non-stop touring. In a small, undeveloped town in southern Spain, we had the same breakfast every day in a cafe on the beach.Two toasted slices of baguette-style bread, with finely chopped fresh local tomatoes, sweet with the Andalusian sun, generous amounts of strong olive oil and salt. Freshly squeezed orange juice, sweet and rounded, and a heavenly cafe con leche, maybe followed by another one. Simple perfection.
Justin Adams & Mauro Durante perform three times during 2023 WOMADelaide in Botanic Park (Adelaide), which runs 10-13 March.
