Customer Reviews

Joko (The Link)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although most of us learned of Youssou's talents through his backing of Peter Gabriel, his talents were NOT showcased there as well as they are in his solo career. Youssou is a tri-lingual singer (english, french and an African dialect) who brings smiles to his listeners in every song! Youssou's voice and musical stylings are unique and although many of the songs you won't be able to understand, unless you happen to be African, you will still get the message! I can tell that Youssou was smiling during his recording of this album which makes for a happy album that includes a sampling of instruments unique to Africa. Allow me to make one stereotype of Africana music. Being a fan of Africana acts (Affel Bocoum, Ali Farka Toure, Papa Wamba, etc.) I find their ability to have fun with their music and not allow egos to get in the way, is unique to Africana acts. These artists tend to be the most humble and eager to please their audiences. Having just attended an Ali Farka Toure concert (Ali is more bluesey than Youssou) I was most impressed by how many times he asked his 1000+ audience if they were happy - his words sum up the mindset of most Africana music concerts "I am happy, if you are happy". Congrats Youssou on another great offering, and may all your fans buy it up!!!

Senegal's Youssou N'Dour is arguably the most famous African pop artist alive; he's certainly one of the leading exponents of the slick, high-tech production style that has grown out of the Parisian expatriate scene over the last few decades... This is his first album in over six years and, like other recent African pop albums, it points to a resolution of the aesthetic bridge that separates fans of a more stripped-down sound and those who like the soft stuff. There are still a few touches that make me cringe -- a soprano sax here, an overwrought chorus there -- but overall this album has a nice organic feel to it... pleasant, listenable, seductive. The only problem, really, is that so many of these songs end so quickly; it's as though someone advised N'Dour to trim his tunes down because eight-minute long songs won't get as much airplay in America. The four-minute long compromises mostly end just when things are getting good, and several seem kind of bluntly edited... The good news is, N'Dour's new songs sound great. I just wish I could hear more of them.

This is a magnificent C.D. The best he has done yet!
In the same way that Nelson Mandela is the yardstick for every African Politician, Youssou N'Dour is the yardstick for every African Musician.
As a singer he is unique, as he has both a very powerful voice, and a very wide vocal range.
This is a selection of some wonderfully crafted songs, maybe a bit more popish than his usual offerings, but great nevertheless. Nearly every track is very good, and also there are a few exceptional tracks e.g. Birima.
The musicianship and production on many African artists work often does not do justice to the beauty of their work, possibly due to the financial constraints, however it does on this C.D.
Anybody interested in listening to African music for the first time, must buy this C.D.
Anybody who is an African music lover will have this C.D.

Once again, Youssou N'Dour proves he is one of the gifted artists who can delight beyond words. With the exception of the occasional parts in english and french, his lyrics are incomprehensible to me, yet his music is just as moving. I first heard his music by chance many years ago, and instantly felt attracted to it. I enthusiastically recommend his work to anybody who is moved by music beyond the lyrics.
Also recommend: Salif Keita

I listened to this cd about 20 times before checking the english translated lyrics. It was amazing how the music had communicated the spiritually poetic meaning of the lyrics. I believe that listening to this beautiful, uplifting music, can stimulate the thinking without language that liberates us from our own provencial mindsets. You'll wear this one out.

One reviewer wrote that Youssou is the milestone for African Artists. I would go further and say that his music is what all music should be. I have a couple hundred CD's ranging from Classical, to Punk; from Andean to Zimbabwa and Youssou NDour sits at the top of my list, next to Mozart, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan and Oliver Mtukudzi. You do not just listen to his music, you absorb it, what ever language he sings in. My favorite from this album is Red Clay, a melancholy tune about searching for one's soul, only to realize that it is always with you on the road of life, right there at your feet, whatever the situation is.

I have had this cd for awhile now and I'm still moved by it. If you are unfamiliar with Youssou N'Dour his talent is immense. If you are simply unfamiliar with this album this is for quiet reflective afternoon, this doesn't mean the songs are sad and sappy, its just that they have an energy all their own.

Mr. N'Dour is the Sengalise singing sensation. It has an African, Cuban, Caribbean sort of vibe sung in either the West African dialect, French or English. The cd booklet is translated into English.

He brought popular music to Senegal. The music and the voice togther make for a haunting and enchanting sound.

I love this guy's music and I love this album, except for the two songs with Wyclef Jean, which I find completely out of character with Joko's music. The songs with Sting and Peter Gabriel blend smoothly with Joko's style, but Wyclef's style clashes head on with the smooth, lyrical ballad-style of his songs. Please, can someone tell me why, every bit of authentic, ethnic music has to be polluted by rap, or hip hop, or some other vulgar western, in-your-face style - from Tibetan and Mongolian folk singing, to Gregorian chants, to Qawwali, to Ethnic ballads - every time some previously unknown (to the West) world music is discovered, some artists feel the urgent need to pollute it with our 'enlightened' styles. It is almost as if the message is, "Your music is good, but primitive and out of date - let me show you how to improve it." If not for Wyclef Jean's pollution, this album would have rated five stars with me

Having Seen Youssou a couple of times and buying this album on the strength of a brilliant live performance. I cannot help feeling that the over use of Western musicians have somewhat diluted his music. He does not need superstars as he is one already in his own field. Having said that, the range of style from near tribal to rap will appeal to those listening to his music for the first time. Whilst not having the wow factor with me, It certainly isn't boring and I will play it a lot.

este cd de youssou n'dour marca el regreso de una de las figuras mas destacadas de la musica ( no solo africana) con matices todas las canciones son superlativas. Para escuchar entero uno y otra vez. No cae en bajones ritmicos o musicales. Su nivel es 5 estrellas en la totalidad. Para quienes no han oido aun a youssou n'dour esta es una excellente chance. Los demas saben de que les hablo