Talking Timbuktu Explained

Talking Timbuktu
Type:	studio
Artist:	Ali Farka Touré with Ry Cooder
Cover:	TalkingTimbuktu.jpg
Released:	March 29, 1994
Recorded:	Sep 1993
Genre:	Malian folk, hip hop
Length:	59:59
Label:	World Circuit
Producer:	Ry Cooder
Prev Title:	The Source
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Radio Mali
Next Year:	1996

Talking Timbuktu is the 1994 collaboration album between Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré and American guitarist/producer Ry Cooder. The guitar riff from the song "Diaraby" was selected for the Geo-quiz segment of The World PRI-BBC radio program and was retained by popular demand when put to a vote by the listeners. In 2009, the album was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 100,000 copies throughout Europe.^[1]

Reception

The album features in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and received the Grammy Award for Best World Music album of 1994.

Track listing

1. "Bonde" (Peul) – 5:28
2. "Soukora" (Bambara) – 6:05
3. "Gomni" (Songhai) – 7:00
4. "Sega" (Peul) – 3:10
5. "Amandrai" (Tamasheck) – 9:22
6. "Lasidan" (Bambara) – 6:06
7. "Keito" (Songhai) – 5:42
8. "Banga" (Songhai) – 2:32
9. "Ai Du" (Songhai) – 7:09
10. "Diaraby" (Bambara) – 7:25

(Languages listed in parentheses after each title, as credited in the album liner notes^[2])

Notes and References

1. Web site: color . www.impalamusic.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175720/http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020091006.htm . 2017-08-24.
2. Web site: Ali Farka Toure With Ry Cooder – Talking Timbuktu . Discogs . 19 July 2024.