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Sample Track 1:
"Ana" from Vieux Farka Touré
Sample Track 2:
"Ma Hine Cocore" from Vieux Farka Touré
Layer 2
Concert Review

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Present Tensed, Concert Review >>

Sometime last year, I started listening to the late Ali Farka Toure’s albums “Savanne“, “Talking Timbuktu” and his collaboration with Toumani Diabate “In the Heart of the Moon” which were all fantastic. If anything it is “Savanne” that is the best expression of the genre of the African Blues. It is a truly fantastic album. Earlier this summer, I began seeing copies of his son’s — Vieux Farka Toure — self-titled debut album in the stores. If I had known that a> he was Ali Farka Toure’s son and b> that Ali Farka Toure’ had offered his final recordings (before succumbing to bone cancer) to the album, I’d have bought it right away! As it is I have to go track it down now.

Earlier this year, I bought a copy of Toumani Diabate’s “Boulevard de l’Independance” in preparation for his show at the Hothouse (which to my regret I did not make it to). I didn’t know anything about the kora, or Diabate himself (beyond “In the Heart of the Moon” and my general esteem for the music that comes from Mali), which kept me from juggling my schedule around some to make it to the Hothouse for the show. I’m certain that the kora would have been incredible in that intimate venue.

All that said, I was thrilled to learn that Vieux Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate (and his Symmetric Orchestra) were playing a free show at Chicago’s Millenium Park as part of the annual Music Without Borders program.

Notes

Vieux Farka Toure was a remarkably smooth stage performer. His variation on the african blues was upbeat and he made me recall seeing Buddy Guy earlier this year. I’m half-tempted to go see his set at the Folk & Roots Festival on Sunday night.

The Kora is a fantastic instrument. While Diabate’s entire show was fun, it was his extended Kora solo that really took the cake. 21 strings!

The Symmetric Orchestra is talented. I particularly enjoyed the differences between the two vocalists and how they extended the range of the band.

Diabate’s band collaborated with some chicago jazz musicians at the show and added a horn section to part of their set. The first few songs were a little slow to come together, but as they went on the horn section really added something positive to the set.

I’m a big fan of the Pritzker Pavilion at Millenium Park, I think has some of the most consistent sound of any music venue in Chicago (second perhaps only to the soon to be moved Hothouse), and excellent sight lines from the seated area.  07/14/07 >> go there
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