Good Stuff (Talking Timbuktu - Ali Farka Toure)

Member Name: Almost_Blue

Product:	Talking Timbuktu - Ali Farka Toure
Date:	26/07/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: atmospheric, passionate

Disadvantages: none

A music teacher at my Uni introduced me to Ali Farka early last year. He played 'Diaraby' and I was left astounded. The song is so atmospheric and visual; it transports you to another place. 'Desert Blues' was the genre he said it belonged to and however stupid this may sound, it was almost like I could smell the desert. There are very few songs which manage to engage and immerse me to such an extent and this is one of them. It's so melodic and harmonious and it's played with such passion and steadfast rhythm. Once I had finished my lessons that day I got my hands on the album and wow was all I could say. Every single song was awe-inspiring and evoked reactions ranging from elation to sorrow. I regularly listen to the album now and still have reactions similar to the ones that I had when I first heard it. That is the thing about the album; you never really get tired or bored of it.

My favs have to be Soukoura and Lasidan and of course Diaraby but the whole album really is quite splendid. I've always liked listening to blues so that may be the reason why I love this album however I fail to see how fans of other genres could not appreciate it. This is world music at its finest. Similar to artists like Bjork you may not have a clue what he's saying but you can feel the passion. In the music industry today, there are so many guys that have the voice, and skill but no passion. When listening to the songs on the album you can feel the passion etching out with every strum of the guitar or knock of the drum.

Put it on during a nice hot summer's day and chill. Put it on at night and chill gazing at the moon. Hell, the album can be listened to anytime, anywhere and on any occasion. Every blues and jazz fan should have this album, screw that, every music fan should have this album.

Summary: Sweet music