new internationalist shop

Ali Farka Toure - Savane
The king of the desert blues - on his last, great, album

Legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure is ‘back’ with an album that is already being hailed as his finest work. Recorded over a two and a half year period, Savane was completed shortly before his death in early 2006.

Lyrically, it is the testament of a man who considered himself first and foremost a farmer, with songs that speak of savannah erosion, disconnection, survival in foreign lands, the need for Africans to work for themselves - and for the West to stop sending arms and to send agricultural equipment instead.

Musically, it is a powerful reaffirmation of Ali’s Songhai and Fulani musical roots, with Ali’s regular Bamako-based ngoni/guitar band joined by traditional musicians from his home town Niafunke. But with raucous harmonica by Little George Sueref, percussion by Fain S Duenas from Spanish group Radio Tarifa and vocal-toned tenor sax from former James Brown horn man Pee Wee Ellis, the album also breaks new ground - raw blues with touches of Celtic vibe, reggae lilt and even quasi-flamenco passages.

1. Erdi
2. Yer Bounda Fara
3. Beto
4. Savane
5. Soya
6. Penda Yoro
7. Machengoidi
8. Ledi Coumbe
9. Hanana
10. Soko Yhinka
11. Gambari Didi
12. Banga
13. N'Jarou

Can you help us please?
Tell a friend about this.
Thanks.

Click here to request a paper catalogue
Phone: (08) 8232 1563
Fax: (08) 8232 1887
Email: shop@newint.com.au