Dimanche A Bamako - Amadou & Mariam

Dimanche a Bamako is one of my favourite albums ever. The 2 singers, Amadou and Mariam are both blind, they met in an institue for blinds in Mali, a country with a great tradition for music which in the last 20 years have been bringing to the international circuit many respected and talented artists. Dimanche a Bamako (Sunday in Bamako in French, Bamako is the capital of Mali) brings to your home the relaxed feeling of a world which I have never been able to visit, but I suspect miles away from ours. The songs are mellow, ballads which remind you that blues was born in Africa. The album was released in 2005 and soon became a ...  Read the complete review

Amadou & Mariam Dimanche a Bimako (2005) Never heard of them? Would it surprise you if you heard that they are the most well known proponents of 'Afro Blues'? Originally from Mali, this couple (they are married) are blind and in fact met on a music programme for the blind youth of Mali. They have been around on the World music festival scene for years, I first saw them at WOMAD and bought a few bits and piece of compilations and then this. Sung in French this album won a BBC World music award as well as selling many, many copies all over the World. Now it is true to say that my French is not good enough to ...  Read the complete review