Ali Farka TourA© - Ali Farka Toure

This self-titled debut is an amazing collection, spotlighting the Malian guitarist in his full solo acoustic glory for a beautiful, intimate music that recalls American blues. The beauty of Ali Farka Toure lives in Toure's light, nimble touch on the strings as well as his flexible, reedy voice, which both perfectly complement his gentle, ambling rhythmic style. Tastier highlights include the cantering "Tchigi Fo," with haunting call-and-response sung in Songhai, and the oddly pastoral "Kadi Kadi," a sweet folk song about an encounter with a young woman and her gift of a gold chain. The Arabic praise song "Bakoye" is a comely love song that pulses with Ali's low, bubbling fingerpicking over which his voice soars in a lovely bucolic melody. "Amandrai," in both a studio and live version, is the kind of bluesy tune that's made Toure famous and earned him comparisons to Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker. And in later releases, we indeed witness the Malian master collaborating with such Western artists as the Chieftains and Taj Mahal, but this loner of a debut features the guitarist's talents in a quietly understated, purely African light. --Karen Karleski Amazon.com essential recording

Totally amazingopolis

This bad boy rocks the party, not in a violent, infantile way, but in a gentle, solicitous, cradle swaying manner. Not that the party would then fall asleep or anything, such kind of lie restfully, enraptured, dreaming lucid dreams staring at the ceiling. Guitarisms are sublime throughout, sounding incredibly full for such sparse arrangements. His best in my opinion, and who would contradict me? August 6, 2005

Mr Toure At His Best!

I've owned the CD for nine years, and it has always stayed close to me. This is to my mind the best album available of Toure's music. As stated in the editorial review, it is bare bones acoustic. Ali's voice and guitar cut straight to the soul. He is accompanied by sparse but tasteful percussion.

I recommend this above the Talking Timbuktu album. It is a classic that belongs in every collection. December 20, 2003

A mellow gem

This is an excellent collection of mellow African blues,nothing is too complicated in this music - really simple, organic sounds with beautiful rythems and wonderful guitar playing.I would recommend Toure to any serious music fan, and this is my personal favourite out of all his albums. December 9, 2003

Not as good as Talking Timbuktu

Ali Farka Toure best remains Talking Timbuktu, but this one is definitely worth having.

For some reason, A.F.T. is flacked as if his music is the source of the blues. Talk to any bluesmen who have gone to Africa, such as Buddy Guy. It ain't.

There is a lot of conning going on. A.F.T. learned the blues the same way Eric Clapton did.

I hope this inspires listeners to read ethnomusicologists research on the origin of the blues. July 11, 2003

Another Farka gem

Everything Ali Farka Toure recorded is great. His voice and guitar are one of the things we are lucky to have the oppurtunity to hear.
This cd is in a tradirional mold, close Radio Mali and to the second part of The River. If you like Malian music or the blues, you will love this cd. January 20, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...