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Vieux Farka Toure
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Conscious Choice, Vieux Farka Toure >>
Vieux Farka Toure
Vieux Farka Toure
(World Village)
-By Sarah Bardeen
When Malian guitar great Ali Farka Toure died in 2006, it resonated around the world. Even if you didn't know his story- the struggles with exploitative record labels, the cancer that ultimately killed him- you had heard his story in his music, in his keening voice, in the plaintive guitar that could pierce you or roll over you like water. He cast a long shadow and no one felt that more than his son Vieux.
Despite Vieux's musical talent, which became evident early on, Ali discouraged him from playing music- even insisting that he become a soldier to avoid the trials of an artist's life. But thank heavens for rebellious kids: with some assistance from family friend and internationally reknown kora master, Toumani Diabate, Vieux defied his father, moved to Bamako and began studying and making music.
The rebellion paid off. Vieux's debut album, released less than a year after his father's death, taps into those same rolling desert rhythms that make his father's music so entrancing. But Vieux is no copycat: he owns this album, stealing a gentle reggae rhythm here, referencing rock 'n' roll there and inviting his mentor Diabate to guest on "Toure De Niafunke" and "Diabate" (both of which show the kora as an instrument that's at once intellectual and strangely tender).
Ali Farka Toure eventually accepted his son's talent, and his contribuions to "Tabara" and "Diallo" (recorded just before his death) practically sear the vinyl. Vieux Farka Toure may mark the debut of a promising young artist, but it also symbolizes a passing of the torch. Toure is dead; long live Toure.
For info, visit vieuxfarkatoure.com 04/01/07
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