Ali Farka Toure.


"World Music" is one of my least favorite genres, but this is a problem with the genre and white men with ponytails, not music that isn't "western" itself.


In any case, his biography in the above link is an interesting read. You want to talk post-modern music? Okay! A farmer from Mali influenced by John Lee Hooker. Sings in 11 languages. Holy doodle.

Beautiful guitar tone.

Yes, that guitar tone, and the playing itself, are cool, and I'm interested enough to keep listening to more of this man's music.

But really, how did white men with ponytails make it into this discussion?

He has a singular style, a nice hybrid of american blues, soweto, African folk songs, etc.

Nice to see him brought up here, actually.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:
But really, how did white men with ponytails make it into this discussion?

I had the opportunity to see Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder (who, to his fine credit, stood well back on the stage, played beautifully, and never said a word). Great concert. Unfortunately, however, this meant attending a folk festival.

Who will be in attendance at a folk festival?
Who will you find in the "World Music" section of a record store?
Who is Ry Cooder?

Answer: A white man with a pony tail.

Mr. Toure is, indeed, a fine guitarist and singer. Please to check out others:

*D'Gary - Madagascar's finest. Does not actually own a guitar, but plays like a man possessed.

*Ebeneezer Obay - I don't know if he's even still alive, but I have several albums from the 80s and they are rocking. Great tone and, dare I say it, hot licks.

*Orchestra Baobob - Apparently they have reformed: check out the reissue on Elektra. Pirates' Choice or something like that. Great ensemble work and more super guitar work. Tasty!

Dylan wrote:*D'Gary - Madagascar's finest. Does not actually own a guitar, but plays like a man possessed.

Very, very strongly seconded. Malagasay Guitar is just great.

found this today:

'BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Two-time Grammy Award winner Ali Farka Toure of Mali,
one of Africa's most famous performers, died Tuesday after a long illness,
Mali's Culture Ministry announced. He was in his late 60s.'

very very sad news

melvin wrote:found this today:

'BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Two-time Grammy Award winner Ali Farka Toure of Mali,
one of Africa's most famous performers, died Tuesday after a long illness,
Mali's Culture Ministry announced. He was in his late 60s.'

very very sad news

Aaah, crap.

At least:

He had just finished work on a new solo album when he died, World Circuit said.

Andrew L. wrote:

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:
But really, how did white men with ponytails make it into this discussion?

I had the opportunity to see Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder (who, to his fine credit, stood well back on the stage, played beautifully, and never said a word). Great concert. Unfortunately, however, this meant attending a folk festival.

Who will be in attendance at a folk festival?
Who will you find in the "World Music" section of a record store?
Who is Ry Cooder?

Answer: A white man with a pony tail.

It was Christmas eve and I needed a gift for my brother. I was on South Street in Philadelphia and the only shops were African. One of them had a music collection. I asked if he had any Fela and he said he was out... but then he pulled out an Ali Farka Toure album featuring Ry Cooder and said, "you might like this, though." It was the whitest I have ever felt.

Anyway, it's a good album.

My dad was a big fan - he'd always had a boner for Ry Cooder, but he listened to "Talking Timbuktu", and I think he liked Ali's music better.