The December 2024 issue (#203) of Songlines is out now, and we’ve got a guitar special looking at the place of one of the world’s most ubiquitous instruments. We chart the globe to reveal the World’s 50 Greatest Guitars, we speak to Mdou Moctar, Bombino and Etran de l’Aïr, three guitar bands from Niger leading a new wave of African desert rock (we also discuss the impact of the military coup in Niger) and we have a Beginner’s Guide to renegade guitarist Marc Ribot. We speak to sevdah revivalists Mostar Sevdah Reunion about their new album celebrating 25 years, have a conversation with one of Ireland’s most beloved folk singers, Christy Moore, talk to Seckou Keita about a joyful new release exploring his love of Afro pop, and hear from ganavya, an exciting new voice uniting spiritual jazz with South Asian classical traditions. Plus, Warsaw Street Music, Essential 10 Latin jazz crossover albums, London-based Brazilian project MOMO. and the artists currently bringing Québec, Canada, to life, as well as all the usual news, listings, reviews, competitions, and so much more.