Ali Farka Touré (album) explained

Ali Farka Touré
Type:	Album
Artist:	Ali Farka Touré
Cover:	Ali-Farka-Toure-album.jpg
Released:	1988
Recorded:	October 4, 1987
Genre:	Mande music, folk, blues
Length:	58:16
Label:	World Circuit Mango
Prev Title:	Farka
Prev Year:	1976
Next Title:	African Blues
Next Year:	1990

Ali Farka Touré is an album by the Malian musician Ali Farka Touré.^[1] It was recorded in London.^[2]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that Touré picks "out patterns so light and lilting that their intricate cross-rhythms sound easy; his voice, an earthy tenor, shares the guitar's modal melody lines or slides in between, and he underlines the syncopations with the slapping sound of overdubbed bongos."^[3] The Los Angeles Times noted that he "concentrates on measured, mid-tempo tunes that showcase his throaty vocals and rich guitar tone with minimal percussion accompaniment."^[4]

Track listing

All songs written by Ali Farka Touré.

1. Timbarma – 5:08
2. Singya – 5:26
3. Nawiye – 5:40
4. Bakoytereye – 5:02
5. Tchigi Fo – 4:30
6. Amandrai – 7:19
7. Kadi Kadi – 5:27
8. Yulli – 5:19
9. Bakoye – 4:10
10. Amandrai (Live) – 10:01

Tracks 5 and 6 do not appear on vinyl.

Personnel

• Ali Farka Touré – vocals, guitar, calabash, bongos
• Toumani Diabaté – calabash on track 6

Notes and References

1. News: Himes . Geoffrey . Harrington . Richard . West Africa's Kora, Kora, Kora . The Washington Post . 10 Nov 1989 . N30.
2. News: Burnes . John . Ali Farka Toure 'Ali Farka Toure' . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . 9 June 1989 . F5.
3. News: Pareles . Jon . Recent Releases . The New York Times . 16 Apr 1989 . A30.
4. News: Snowden . Don . The Pop Heard 'Round the World . Los Angeles Times . 22 Oct 1989 . Calendar . 84.