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CD Review
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Sing Out!, CD Review >>
With their chunky guitar led pieces, this "desert blues" band of Tuareg nomads from the Sahara has become a "world music" sensation over the past few years. On this CD you'll hear more of Tinariwen's characteristic blend of clean electric guitar lines played over hypnotic backing rhythms combined with call-and-response vocals.
And most of the tracks here follow that description. But there are a few which are somewhat different and those are the ones which appealed to me most. For example, on "Ikyardarh Dim" you'll hear a male singer and a female singer harmonizing over what sounds like an acoustic guitar backing. Really different and quite beautiful, because of the voices' distinctive tones and accents. On "Assouf" a "wah-wah" pedal enhanced guitar enhances an energetic, quite danceable rhythm. Reminded me a little of Sly and the Family Stone's style from the late 1960s. "Izarharh Tenere" is a lovely slower piece, with a male vocalist backed by interweaving acoustic and electric guitars. Actually the acoustic guitar takes the main instrumental part, and gives the tune a comfortable, pastoral atmosphere.
Do not ignore the booklet which comes with this CD. It includes a fascinating introductory essay written by producer Justin Adams who describes the recording process of this CD. There are also translations of song lyrics into English along with notes about each piece, and great photos of the desert and the band members.
--KR 01/01/08 >> go there
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