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March 11, 2006

Ali Farka Touré

Ali Farka Touré died this week, and the tributes have been flooding in.

Ali Farka Touré was born near the river Niger in Mali, not far from Timbuktu. He was not himself a griot but his musical style is obviously heavily influenced by griots. Listening to it, you can not help compare it to American blues as well. It's haunting and beautiful. If you've never listened to West African music in general, or a Farka Touré album in particular, now might be a good time to take the plunge - go for Talking Timbuktu first - that is the album that shot him to fame.

Farka Touré was a very humble man. He was not interested in the trappings of stardom, preferring to live in his home village and work the land. He thought of himself first and foremost as a cultivator and drew inspiration for his music from the great river Niger which flowed past his village.

I discovered Ali Farka Touré’s music only last year, but now scarcely a day goes by when I do not listen to him. He’s great for writing to, and equally good for sweeping to. One of the greats.

Posted by sahelsteve at March 11, 2006 06:54 PM