Vieux Farka Touré

Vieux Farka Touré

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 13, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Village USA
• ASIN: B000LPRG74
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,475 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Africa > Mali

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The world mourned when the legendary Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure died in 2006. But, as this sterling debut CD from his guitarist/percussionist son Vieux shows, all was not lost. Though his father didn't want him to become a musician, the younger Toure woodshedded on the down low, and delivered a surprisingly strong tribute to his dad that blends Mande, and Sonrai musical styles with pop and Caribbean influences. Toure's spare guitar work and his vivid vocals would make his daddy proud, especially on the reggae-fied video single "Ana." The incredible kora virtuoso Toumani Diabate lends his plectral prowess to "Toure De Niafunke" and "Diabate." Singer Issa Bamba's energetic voice illuminates the bold backbeat of "Courage." The hypnotic "Tabara" and "Diallo" feature father and son together. Inheritance is an honored tradition in Africa, and, if this CD is any indication, the Toure legacy is in good hands in the 21st century. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passing the torch? , April 23, 2007

By	Friederike Knabe (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Vieux Farka Toure bursts onto the music scene with a very strong performance in this debut album. Son of the legendary Ali Farka Toure, he has all the makings of a new star on Mali's rich music horizon. In this album, dedicated to his late father, Vieux combines traditional tunes and instrumentations with faster rhythms, demonstrating the energy of a younger generation. Old and new are harmoniously merged.

Most of the pieces are composed and arranged by Vieux himself, as are the lyrics. They address common themes of the importance of home, justice, family and solidarity among all sisters and brothers. His voice is reminiscent of his father's and his guitar playing is definitively moving in the same expert and creative direction that Ali exhibited for all these years.

Vieux has assembled a formidable group of musicians around him, above all his father Ali, who joined with his guitar on two pieces and Toumani Diabate, the magical kora virtuoso. One of these pieces was written by Toumani's father, the legendary kora player, Sidiki Diabate, and sensitively arranged by Vieux. "Diallo", the second piece that features Ali and son together, is a fast moving, energetic song in praise of the Fulani people. Contributing to his son's debut CD was the last recording that Ali was able to perform prior to his death. After years of discouraging his son from pursuing his musical ambitions, Ali finally came to appreciate the younger Farka Toure's talent and happily passed on his legacy. It seems that it was Toumani Diabate who convinced Ali to overcome his reluctance to accept his son's career path. Vieux had left the family compound in Niafunke, in Mali's North (near Timbuktu), to study music in Bamako. Toumani became a mentor and like a father to him. Under his guidance his music flourished. The younger Farka Toure Vieux dedicates the beautiful and gentle instrumental piece "Diabate" to Toumani and his family. "Diabate", with the harmonious musical conversation between the two solo instruments, kora and guitar, is somewhat reminiscent of the jamming sessions of Toumani and Ali in "In the Heart of the Moon".

The father's legacy that included active involvement with the economic development of the local population in the Niafunke region, also passes on to the son. He has designated ten percent of the proceeds of the CD to fight malaria through a local organization (linked to Unicef) that introduces insecticide-treated mosquito nets for children.

Fans of Mali beat and rhythm will want to add this CD to their collection, newcomers might want to use it as an entrance into the rich world of the traditional and contemporary music of this centre of African music today. [Friederike Knabe]

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touch of Grace, Charm and Raw Talent, March 23, 2007

By	Youssef J. Habbouche (MA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one album you can play in its entirety without having to skip any of the songs.

Vieux's undisputable talent spans from African pop's light fun melodies to more soulful bluesy ones. He draws on his Malian roots, that's what makes the charm of this album, yet the music is universal and accessible to all, including the novice to the music of Mali - like myself.

My favorite is `Tabara', recorded with Vieux's father Ali Farka Toure, Africa's greatest blues guitarist. Ali passed away few months later to make this one a touching passing of the torch. I also like the percussions and guitar rhythms in `Ma Hine Cocore' or `Diallo'.
I will be on the watch for future works from this rising star.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good kid, April 20, 2008

By	Pierre Saslawsky (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Vieux Farka Touré might not be as good as the best you remember from Ali Farka Touré (a bit like Femi Kuti isn't quite like Fela Kuti) but he still very much deserves your support. He certainly makes it very easy to give it to him. 4 stars because I still have his dad in mind, 5 stars otherwise.