Customer Reviews

Sou Ni Tile

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

 

 

This CD by a (blind, but who cares) Dogon couple (married, but who cares) from Mali made a hit in Paris, where I first heard it at the home of my good friend Jeff Ribier, an excellent young hip-hop artist. Amadou et Maryam have created a sound which feels new but also very traditional; bluesy and folksy, and true to both blues and African musical traditions. Every track on this CD combines elements which are, at least to my ears, very definitely "tribal" (hence folklorical), yet completely modern as well, with western instruments (ska horns, violin, electric blues guitar) and western folk traditions (blues, reggae). The sincerity of both sound and sense cannot escape the listener, which sets this CD apart from most (the lyrics are in French and Dogon, but the liner notes contain a more-or-less accurate English translation). Such music cannot but foster loving brother/sister-hood of all peoples. It is so simple and yet emotionally sophisticated that it appears to be the product of a conscious good wish for all humanity. It contains no saccharine self-indulgence, no cheap effects or gimmicks; it is passionate but not angry. It is a most generous and moving witness to the African renaissance, and of the hope for our planet through the recognition of the innate similarity of all people and the love of cultural diversity.

Normally, that isn't saying much, but in this case the rockers in question are two blind Malian folkies.

A couple of blind Malian folkies rockin' out is something behold, indeed. I mean, wouldn't the world be a better place if Beavis wore a Mamadou et Mariam t-shirt and pumped his fist to "Mon Amour, Ma Cherie"? Seriously, "Mon Amour" rocks harder than anything Metallica has produced since they cut their hair.

Really, seriously. There is a sense of urgency to this music, even when it doesn't have the backbeat of "Mon Amour." The first time I heard "Teree La Sebin" I thought "I don't know what this woman is saying [the songs are French and Dogon? -- whatever they speak in Mali] -- but whatever she's saying she means it." Quick check of the lyrics "But no one can escape his lot/I say that illness of the eyes isn't good/But what can I do?/Amadou plays the guitar, Mariam sings/We came for that/For us its our destiny/I said sorry to everyone but they accuse me of everything/I apologized to everyone/But they called me every name under the sun/My older brother...my brother I am not the only one/They put the evil eye over my head/What did I do to God for Him to take my eyes?"

Want a love song? Check out the sample of "Je Pense A Toi."

Wouldn't the world be a better place if they put THIS on MTV?

like many other artists, amadou and mariam's debut album is their best (so far). the music is wildly eclectic calling on everything from rock guitar (by which i mean if i played you the solo you would not hesitate to identify it as classic rock) to indian music (ditto), to horn playing in the finest big band tradition. amadou's guitar style is rocking but clean - also wildly eclectic. it is mariam's voice that grounds this album in Mali. you know when you listen to an album and wonder whether it may not perhaps be your favorite cd of all time. this one is up there with the best. don't hesitate - whatever your musical leanings. buy now. or buy later - this one will keep!

A few years ago, someone gave me a compilation CD called From Mali To Memphis. I apparently listed to it once, and took no particular note of it. Then, later on down the line, I went back to it to re-investigate. The first track, Mon Amour, Ma Cherie, by Amadou & Mariam, tore my head off so authoritatively that I played it nine times in a row. And now, Amadou & Mariam are just about my favorite band in the world.


This CD, their first with a full band, is a miracle of great music that transcends traditional style, and marries various forms in ways most all "world music" artists can only dream of.
A flute here, hammond organ there, tabla, violin, trumpet, and influences ranging from Middle-Eastern to James Brown to reggae
make for a unique and exquisite sound. From ballads to
genuine hard rock, it never misses a beat.

In the middle of it all is Amadou Bagayoko. His leathery voice is one of the most commanding ever to be issued from an African recording. His guitar playing, while modest in the solo department, sets up many of the songs with scintillating motifs.
Mariam Doumbia, his soul-mate, also provides vocals that create a soft counter-point to Amadou's gritty singing.

I highly recommend that anyone beg, borrow, or steal a copy of this CD, and discover just how good West African music gets.

We first heard "je pense a toi" in halifax on canadian public radio in 1998 and were completely taken with the haunting melancholic beauty of this couple's music. We love this album, but it's still the first track that lingers in my memory, the simple authenticity of the sentiment, the blend of blues, french, and a distinctly middle eastern intonation. They say that those deprived of one sense are acutely sensitive in the others...

One single cigarette
That he puts in an empty packet
He leaves
As happy as a lark

With haiku-like lyrics like that, Sou Ni Tile is a transcendental experience. This is music that cannot just be listened to...but felt.

The music is Malian (most of the songs are sung in Bamabara or French) at its core, but at the same time, is as diverse as it can get. Not surpringly. The liner notes speak of an Egyptian Ney player, a Colombian Trombonist, Indian Tabla players, a Syrian Violinist, Cuban Trumpets and Dogon Rythms - all lending their unique flavors in perfect harmony.

Amadou and Mariam may be blind, but that does not prevent them from peering into the souls of their listeners.

This CD is extremely addictive! Withstands multiple listenings robustly. Highly recommended!

This CD is an experience you will never forget. This cd is like nothing i have ever heard before. Amadou et Miriam seem to fuse together African and Rock n Roll music. This is deffinatly one of the best world music cd's of all time. Dougon and Combattants are two of my favorite songs. The opening track is also very good. The instramentation on this cd is like nothing most music fans have ever heard and this cd is worth the wait and the money spent on it.

Amadou & Mariam have done plenty of great recordings but alas this isn't one of them. What's worse is, I suspect that the shortcomings on SOU NI TILE aren't even their fault. The arrangements here don't suit their music; their songs are best delivered in a spare guitar-and-voice style. I can do without the synthesizers, horn sections and background choruses. Check out their earlier material to get to the true essence of this duo.

I was very impressed by this CD. One thing I despise in African Music is strong pop overtones. This CD held - intact - it's African sentiment, while interspersing elements of black american type original folk, spiced with a wee bit of rock.

Throughout all this, you are constantly aware that this is definitely African Music, not unimaginative World Music (which is actually Euro-Pop) garbage. They have their own sound, which greatfully you cannot lump into some nonsensical marketing category.

I hope to see these people succeed but not at the expense of their musical integrity!