Ali Farka Toure Savane Released: 2006
Label: World Circuit / Nonesuch Format: [email protected]
Whenever a final album is released after the death of a great performer, it is often reviewed far more kindly than it might have been had the artist still been alive. There is no such problem with Ali Farka Touré's Savane. There may be other recordings of his that have yet to be released (including sessions with the world's finest kora player, Toumani Diabaté, recorded at the time of their memorable concert together at the Barbican last year), but this is the last solo album by the best-known and best-loved guitarist in Africa, and it's simply outstanding. He described it as "my best album evera" and he was absolutely right. Even compared to the much-praised earlier work by Mali's "godfather of the desert blues", this is a set that's remarkable for its sheer variety and passion, along with the expected but still thrilling guitar work, and some less predictably fine vocals.
Tracklist: 1."Erdi" – 4:42
2."Yer Bounda Fara" – 4:18
3."Beto" – 4:49
4."Savane" – 7:43
5."Soya" – 4:38
6."Penda Yoro" – 5:25
7."Machengoidi" – 3:35
8."Ledi Coumbe" – 3:16
9."Hanana" – 2:34
10."Soko Yhinka" – 5:05
11."Gambari Didi" – 3:49
12."Banga" – 3:48
13."N'Jarou" – 4:55
Personnel: •Ali Farka Touré – guitar, vocals, percussion
•Mama Sissoko – ngoni
•Bassekou Kouyate – ngoni
•Dassy Sarré – ngoni
•Afel Bocoum – backing vocals (tracks 6, 7, 13)
•Alou Coulibaly – water calabash (7)
•Ramata Diakite – backing vocals (3)
•Massambou Wele Diallo – bolon (9)
•Oumar Diallo – bass (13)
•Fanga Diawara – njarka violin (1, 7, 9)
•Fain Dueñas – percussion (1, 3, 6, 9, 13)
•Pee Wee Ellis – tenor sax (1, 3, 13)
•Souleye Kané – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10), calabash (3, 5, 11, 12)
•Mamadou Kelli – voice (11)
•Ali Magassa – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10), guitar (5)
•Etienne Mbappé – bass (6)
•Yacouba Moumouni – flute (12)
•Hammer Sankare – backing vocals (2, 5, 6, 7, 13)
•Sonny – bass (10)
•Little George Sueref – harmonica (1, 6, 8 )
•Marriame Tounkara – backing vocals (12)
•Brehima Toure – backing vocals (10)
•Oumar Touré – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10), congas (3)
•Yves Wernert – bass (1) |