Savane

cool vibes!

Love this album

desert blues

A deserving addition to the list. So much good blues and African music in there, sometimes melded together. Really glad I listened, this one goes into the rotation

Really enjoyed this! Great rhythm and blues album with West Africa sounds! The music is just plain good! Will be sharing this album!

I really appreciate the art in this record. Mixing blues with traditional African music is pretty genius to be fair. It’s raw and somehow incredibly delightful. This is something that deserves to be heard and deserves its slot on this list.

A great album. It maybe felt a bit long at times, but still an interesting listen.

Una sorpresa, background Maliense

19/1001. The first "world" music album to my list, which goes to show the bias of the book. Would be lovely to do a 1001 African albums you must hear before you die…or Asian, Caribbean or Brazilian. Oh, I'm sure we get some here, but this album alone is worth reminding that there is great music everywhere, and listening outside your typical Pitchfork/Rolling Stones/1001 selection can be an elevating experience. So I'm realising sadly, that the majority of this book and the project won't be about discovery but flogging on more or less dead (race) horses. I'm sure nice and new (to me) music to be discovered over there as well, but… I've listened to Ali Farka Touré before, and the newer "Sahara blues" acts. (And of course Mulatu and basically the whole Ethiopiques collection, to South African Kwaito and more contemporary urban rhythms not to mention Tony Allen, Fela Kuti and many other Afro beat / Funk acts, compilations, online bootlegs. Analog Africa anyone?) This one not, but definitely will again. Such skill to craft hypnotic tunes from a few notes, with authenticity, feeling, passion, evident sense of death coming upon the maker. I hope I keep getting albums like this (anywhere in the world) to be listened to during the next 1070 or so albums (I just came to understand there is more than 1001 on this list!, cheaters :D)

Really interesting blues guitar playing. Hypnotic and easy to listen to. Solid album. Almost each song is interesting. Although lyrics aren’t there.

Albums like this are what I was hoping from this project. Great music I wouldn't find on my own. Nice blend of world and blues music. Dig it.

😊

Incomparable guitarist. Great stuff.

Super different w it h great percussion. Love!

That's some finger lickin' guitar pickin', I tell you hwat.

Every now and then, this list completely redeems itself and produces an excellent album by an artist that I had never heard before. This is one of those times. 5/5

great

Никогда бы не подумала, что мне может зайти - и настолько зайти - африканский фолк-блюз(?), but here I am. Определённо не то, что я смогла бы слушать постоянно, но под некоторые настроения заходит идеально

Great Album! Love, Love, Love.

A true East meets West situation. Like if Robert Johnson sold his soul to Allah and not the devil. Nice blues instrumentation with a middle-eastern flair.

Stuff like this really motivates me to keep with the list. This was incredibly good, and something I never would have known existed otherwise. The blues with African and Arabic sounds comes together in a way I didn't expect.

Awesome vibes, can't wait for a summer road trip playing this.

I don't understand any of the words that Toure sang... and I don't care. This album is fantastic. Blues are universal, and instruments are their own voice that transcends language. I'm not sure I could pick out a single track to add to my favorites list just yet, but the whole album can go into rotation, especially as general background music for my life. Out of all the 'modern' (ie since 2000) albums, this is my favorite. I can and will recommend this album to people without hesitation.

Absolutely classic blues with a zing!

mali albumi.. mikrotonaalinen avant-garde teos... . ei, ei voi termejä käyttää. MUSIIKKI ON MUSIIKKIA..tämä koskettaa.. häpelöi, hyväilee.. tarvi teknistä soopaa kerskailla.. kitaratyöskentely... ei kitaran stringejä näppäile, vaan sydämen...heartstrings being played... holey moley... aavikkoblues, bamako style... varo ettei hiekkaa mene silmiin heh savane

I recognize his last name because Khruangbin did an album with his son recently. Check it out if you like this.

Not my usual but was very enjoyable.

Ooh I’m looking forward to this. While I don’t know the album, I do know the artist. I listened to a couple of his other albums on repeat during the pandemic lockdowns. Toure’s voice and blend of instruments are so soothing. One instrument in particular - I think it’s the kora? - produces a beautiful bluesy sound that I adore. In the end, this album does not disappoint.

I have no idea what he's saying and it doesn't even matter. The music and vibes transcend the need for understanding the lyrics. You can feel the soul in every single note being played here. Just some really solid blues with some very interesting instrumentation. Can't wait to listen to this again. Standout Tracks: Erdi, Savane, N'jarou

So light and yet it has so much substance. Like Tom Waits without the gravelly gruffness. I could honestly listen to this forever.

Very Interesting..something I would hear on NPR's Echos

Outstanding. This will go in my frequently listened list. Unique, original, great musician ship, great songs. Loved it!

The wiki says this is African Blues so that's slightly different than what I usually expect from this project. At first, I was worried this was going to be something you'd hear on NPR late at night. #1 - I couldn't make out a word the gentleman was saying, and the instrumentals are eclectic and all over the place and work together in parts. This is going to be a very unique album to say the least. #2 - Okay, this is starting to sound more like blues that I would expect. This one feels a lot more structured and put together. It flows really well even if it sounds somber and mournful. #3 - I didn't know African Blues was a genre, but if you had to have me point to a song that would be most similar to it, it would be this one. Good music picking and instrumentals, lovely background vocals. ★ #4 - It starts with an almost latin american style guitar picking and that continues. The song is very mellow and relaxing without being tiring. #5 - Good beat, I found myself following along. Again, good mix of instrumentals and vocals. #6 - Another bluesy song. Great all around. Mr. Toure knows how to put in background vocals as well as create this kind of music. I haven't heard this good of guitar picking in a while. #7 - To me, it sounds like this would be sung while doing work (something like The Song of the Volga Boatmen, for example). It's good. #8 - First one of the album where I felt this one was alright. Definitely not my favorite of the album. #9 - Short and sweet with parts that sound frenzied (could be a good track to run to or if something hectic/fastpaced was happening a movie). Good bass. #10 - Simple to follow along with. Found myself humming the song after the album was over. ★ #11 - Instrumentals here were good, enjoyed the thumping. Compared to previous tracks, I'm not entirely sure if the vocals they went with worked well. #12 - A good, quality song. Not much more to say. #13 - Really not much more to say about this album. If you got this point, you know what to expect. A good track to send us off. While I don't speak the language of Ali Farka Touré, there's clear passion to his craft in these songs. After some of the albums I've been getting, this has been a very pleasant surprise; I've never heard of him. I feel like this album is what the 1001 album book should showcase more of (granted I'm only day 60 of 1001 so we'll see). So far, this is one where I was confident in giving a five only a few songs in.

Something special here. Transports you to another place, these desert blues, and this effortless, masterful guitar playing is exemplary. What a talent and what a recording - captures the sound and the mood perfectly.

Rhythmic, full bodied, rich. A truly new genre for me and a fun listening experience

Fantastic desert blues!

not as good as with ry cooder but man this guy just loves to have a jam

This ruled. I had another of his albums earlier and did not like it nearly as much. This album was haunting and hypnotic.

This might be one of my first exposures to Desert Blues music in any real depth. I know after hearing this though, I will absolutely seek out a physical release of this album and explore this genre. It's evocative, it's hypnotic, it's enchanting, it's very beautiful. It brought an amazing and immediately intriguing style of North and West African music to my attention, bringing forth a general feeling comparable to Western Soul and Blues, but with Malian flair. It kept me hooked for the entire time, seeming to be good music for driving, working, or just having in the background to vibe with. It's fair to say that I'm hooked on this album upon the first listen. Thanks for introducing a whole genre to me, Generator! Favourite: Yer Bounda Fara

I’ve always loved this album. Glad to see it included on this list. It’s a great album to throw on and vibe with. It’s so effortlessly cool.

wow. was completely unfamiliar with this album and artist but it’s really excellent. going to listen to this a lot in the future

I know I'm a stereotype of myself, but I fucking loved this. 4 tracks in and I was already sad at how quickly it was going by. I never wanted it to end! Cool rock attitudes with some traditional elements and an overall catchy swagger.

Brilliant album

Spectacular. Quintessential West African Blues.

I love love love desert blues, or tishoumaren, or whatever you want to call it, and Ali Farka Touré is the daddy. It's hypnotic, exotic, but familiar at the same time. You can easily let it blend into a wonderful background wash, but it also repays close attention, which is a quality I highly value in music. Fave track - "Yer Bounda Fara" maybe? It's not really about individual tracks with this one...

This one completely dodges the complaints leveled at my other African album (the Koffi Olomide one). It not only feels real, but it’s interesting and enjoyable. 4 stars, but one added just because I felt nice today (it’s because of my new dog).

Great listening, really like this!

I vibed hard to this

Beautiful desert blues

Dit is m

What an absolutely fascinating record and one that conjures up so many different influences and emotions. The record meanders along at its own pace, going wherever it wants and I really respect that. I feel bad that it had never even occurred to me that kind of blues fusion could exist but it doesn't just stop there its got heavy ska and reggae influences displayed and Arabic style scales are heavily used in parts. Much drone as well drone good, me likey. Very evocative, it takes me straight back to time spent in Uganda, sitting on a bus driving long hours through the colorful streets of Kampala. I adore this album and have saved it straight away for future listens. 5/5

Only on the first song and I'm so intrigued. This just has such a raw feel.

Gostoso de ouvir

I really enjoy this a lot.

Amazing album. Great world music. Great instrumentals. Awesome find.

Sensational guitarist, hypnotic rhythms and really interesting musically - time signatures, scales and use of intervals entirely different to western ears, but still recognisably the blues - Malian style. I love this.

Lovely - blues and jazz with a Malian twist - warm and enchanting from end to end.

Another one I’d listen to again. Love the desert blues sound from beginning to end, with nice variation in mood throughout. Amazing voice and arrangements too.

Una das mejores descobertas deste guía

quality music

I loved it that I listened to the album again.

I really enjoyed this, very fun to drive around to. It’s not something I would have listened to before but I can actually see myself listening to it again should I be in the mood. So for an album I’ve never listened to in a style I don’t usually consider I’m gonna give the 5 star

Would be nice to have on out the back of the new Toowong pool hall while smoking a shisha but otherwise probably wouldn’t re-listen to be honest. Cool sounds though.

Nice memories

Enjoyed well

This has a feeling of soul. Passes lingual barriers, and just damn good to jam to.

5

REALLY good. 5 stars.

Love the finger picking on this one. There’s some stuff that feels familiar like American blues but then most of it is distinctly African. Towards the end it seemed a bit repetitive but that probably comes from me not understanding the lyrics. The instrumentation is the high point though. 3.5 stars, not sure which way I’ll round. Deserves several listens.

Great blues, great desert music, great vibes

Really easy to fall into. I'd actually heard one of the latter tracks on a hi-fi mix for testing speaker placement for imaging and tone prior and always enjoyed it. I won't claim it is earth-shattering but that isn't what the album is after. It seems to be after, compositionally at least, getting you to relax and be like Ali on the album cover. Mission accomplished where I am concerned. I'll listen to this again. Wish I had any idea of the lyrics but I almost feel like looking them up has as much a chance of spoiling my good impressions as anything.

Unbelievable swag on the album cover, and he serves us up some pure desert blues goodness. What's not to love?

Oh cool, I’ve enjoyed Ali Fark Toure since I first heard Ai Du. Great album.

I like your funny words magic man

I ain't smart enough to articulate why I like this so much but it's fucking dope. This is why I'm here

Great work by a great artist. It is really a shame that this list does not contain more of other music than the mostly average US/UK pop/rock.

This was pretty good fun

Desert blues and Malian folk built from hypnotic guitar lines, subtle percussion, earthy grooves, and weathered vocals feels like watching a vast landscape pass slowly by from the shade of a tree—patient, grounded, and deeply self-assured. The album rarely seeks dramatic peaks, instead drawing its power from repetition, groove, and quiet authority. Its understated confidence makes it one of those records that grows richer the longer you stay with it

Listened several times, enjoyable blend of jazz, some African tribal sounds (instruments, beats, etc), and even some almost classical Spanish guitar. Introspective as melodies and instrumentation go, with some parts more exalting.

I love Desert Blues. It's such meditative music, but manages to sit right at the front of your consciousness. It demands deeper examination, morphing in and out of more familiar blues sounds and traditional Saharan rhythms. This is a 4/5 from me.

I saw “desert blues” on the album cover and expected something very American - this wasn’t that at all, and was probably better for it (though the blues sound is still there, if transformed). It feels simultaneously traditional and modern, which results in a timeless sound; I was surprised when I saw this album was from 2006, because I hadn’t even considered when the music was recorded when listening (and I think the look of the cover made me think it was older). Very cool guitar that blends seamlessly with the other, more exotic instruments I cannot name. Favorites: Yer Bounda Fara, Savane, Soya 4

Bluesy fun right here! Sometimes I felt like I was listening to Ozzy Osbourne sing the blues in a different language Soya (my personal favorite), Yer Bounda Fara were great

African guitar vibes to mellow your mind grapes.

This is a change from the usual crap on this list. Felt very relaxing to listen to on a summer's day. Sounds purer than most music

Very relaxing

Very interesting recording

Was very pleasant to mission to.

I guess that was the first time I ever heard about "desert blues"... very interesting. 4 stars, I need more

Another classic (to my ear anyway, maybe for the local population it's like "Coldplay") from the Africa-infused blues genre. Thanks list!

I really vibed with this

#934. Guys will see something like this and just say Hell yeah. 4/5: Hell yeah

I listened to the other Ali Farka Touré album on the list recently, and I found both to be enjoyable. I didn't think the vocals were overpowering on this album, but I don't remember how it compares to Talking Timbuktu. It had great guitar work again, and it is definitely something I could listen to again.

I remember seeing Ali Farka Touré in Martin Scorsese’s “The Blues”, a brilliant documentary about the origins of the blues. In the first episode, titled “Feel Like Going Home”, Corey Harris travels to Mali to meet up with Touré, who gives his very strong opinions on the Americanisation of African blues music. What always stayed with me was the scene when they started to jam together. Sitting under the shade of a tree in a gorgeous setting (that makes me want to ignore the travel advisory warnings and visit the amazing-looking Mali), the two initially take turns playing. Harris' blues tunes are old-school delta blues. The kind of music that brings images to mind of dusty crossroads and broken beer bottles used as guitar slides, played by an old man sitting on his wooden porch. When Touré plays, it starts off sounding very different. His unique tuning helps his guitar sound like a completely different instrument, and the music sounds a lot more West African than American blues. At first. But then they start to jam together. When you hear Harris' American blues standards mix with Touré’s more African influenced sounds, it all blends together perfectly. That's what I hear on this album. It's a perfect blend of old school blues and African music. Of course, that's how my Western ears hear it, but Touré would hate that description, as much as he hates being called “the African John Lee Hooker”. So, instead let's call it a proper return to the origin of the blues by one of the masters.

I love desert blues!

Simple but elegant

Listening to this album made me realise that every album so far in this app has been Western music. Engaging with world music is a whole new ball game and I'm going to have to assume that this album is extraordinary in that context because, presumably, there's a huge amount of world music and not too much of it gets onto a western music best album list. I thought it was very good and I suppose that means I should explore non-western music more widely but for now I'll take this recommendation and be happy about that as a great introduction to African music.

Pleasantly suprised by this.

Excellent African blues album. Would definitely listen to this again.

It’s bluesy and cool. There are things that my American perspective doesn’t know how to appreciate fully. This album has simply made me painfully aware of that bias.

Such a cool sound! Actually this is great musically and culturally.

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this album, I can’t comment on the lyrics as I don’t speak French, but the instrumentation is top notch, a solid album

An interesting listen. It’s outside my normal music parameters, which makes it hard to judge, but I like it. The closest reference I have is that I once saw Toure play with Ry Cooder at a festival. It was a long time ago, but also fascinating.

Overall Rating - 4.04/5 (8.08/10). I never knew Malian Blues was a genre, but I'm totally here for it. It's the right mix of familiar and exotic (to my white-bread, American ear) to be exactly the kind of music I didn't know I wanted to listen to. This is exactly why I think this is a great challenge. Fusion is awesome to begin with, but this is North African, Sub-Saharan African, and American Blues all fused together, and it's exactly what I didn't know I needed to know about. Great album from start to finish.

Very cool. Had me at the cover, tbh

My Dad likes blues and had one CD with African and American artists on, which may have been where I first heard Ali Farka Toure. He definitely also has this one too and really enjoyed hearing this again. It's all cool stuff but the title track Savane is probably the standout.

Great Album, perfect if you're looking for sounds outside of the common

Great album with some cool blues lines. The groove is so relaxed and the interplay of the instruments are amazing.

Fascinating listen, I dig it. Malian desert blues is the kind of style I never heard of that puts into perspective how horizon expanding this project can be

Omg I absolutely adored the guitar work in this, especially the first half of the album. That dirst half was absolutely fucking incredible tbh, but it lost momentum halfway through imo.

Quite a few years back, I got really into Taureg music. I remember listening a lot to the artist Bombino. This reminded me a lot of Bombino, although this felt a lot more bluesy and folksy than Bombino – who leans more into electric guitars. I really enjoyed this chill album, perfect album for working or reading. There is something very catchy about the harmonics and rythms. Giving this a 4, felt fresh.

From the opening note I knew I would like this and I did! Was a tad long but very very good all the way through !!

Exceptional guitar work. Songs are beautifully played. His style of guitar-centric music is becoming more influential these days, which is well deserved. 4/5 Will listen again

Veľmi príjemný album.

Off to listen to the back catalogue.

Класний альбом афріканської музики. Все стильно, блюзові інфлюенси, народні інструменти ітп

Ik heb hier echt weer van genoten. Alle partijen van gitaar, drums en vocals waren elkaar aan het dienen en niemand was te lang aan het woord. Heerlijk kwam het allemaal samen. Het past wel in mijn smakenpalet. Het enige was dat ik het album niet mistte als ik het even af had gezet. Ook waren er geen nummers die ik leuk genoeg vond voor in mijn playlist terwijl het genre er wel tussen past. Ik heb uiteindelijk het album wel meerdere keren aangezet en van genoten.

Prachtig post mortem afscheid album. Afrikaanse blues waar je niet op gaat dansen maar wel veel ritme in zit. Het album zit in hetzelfde tempo en sfeer, dat klinkt saai maar ik kom wel in een fijne trance. Als je haast hebt moet je niet dit album luisteren. Kinkt misschien vaag maar het is een verschil tussen rust voor een inspanning of een ontspanning. Je hebt niet de rust nodig om gefocust te kunnen luisteren maar juist de rust nodig om in een muziek hypnose te komen.

Interesting and unknown previous

Never had heard his music but knew he was a good guitar player cause I must have read his name at a top guitar players in the world or maybe an interview where Clapton mentioned him. Anyway had never heard a song much less an album amd I can say this dude is a shredder on the guitar. This are like blues with African music incorporated perfectly. When I signed up for this 1001 albums to listen to before I die this is what I was expecting for every single album, some random dude from somewhere in the other part of the world playing something fresh, creative and new for me. This is it. Maybe gets repetitive after a while but easy listening

excellent

This is the kind of thing I was hoping to experience when I started doing this project. This album was a really cool change of pace. It's sound is both familiar and novel at the same time. I wouldn't have envisioned the mixture of American blues and African music to be so complementary. 4⭐️

Really enjoyed this. Very pleasant soundtrack for a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Especially liked Soko Yhinka. Glad this came up as never heard of him before. Also nice to have a bit of world music appear on this list.

Very chill, krunbin inspirational

Álbum com sonoridade africana, belíssimo e que flerta muito bem com o blues.

The rhythms are mesmerizing. Takes you to a foreign land. Delta blues meets world music! This is unlike anything I’ve heard. Quite interesting. Guitar playing is also remarkable.

Excellent desert blues. Really reminded me of John Lee Hooker.

No review for this album because of work :/

This is exactly the kind of release that I want to discover with this project. I've been aware of Ali Farka Touré for a while, but never really dug deeper into his music -- a bit like with Tinariwen, who I always found wildly fascinating, but only after seeing them live at a festival in Denmark, really made me fall for their driving desert rock sound. 'Savane' though is less rock and more jazz -- or 'blues', as the cover suggests. There's a few great highlights here, like 'Machengoidi', 'Beto' and the title track. It's groovy, yet reeks with a heaviness, a mixture that's not easily done in western music.

I love this music

Just an overall really enjoyable album

Er African Blues min greie? Jøss!

BLUES and WORLD MUSIC is so frickin cool. Yes the scales and licks are overplayed as hell everywhere but Iove hearing it through different interpretations, combined with traditional music. Do I understand the words I'm hearing? not even a little, but I enjoyed it none the less. It does get repetitive and you really feel it in the back half. Definitely worth a listen at least.

3.6 Actually quite nice to have on in the background whilst doing other stuff. Quite chilled, really nice vibe, not my usual sort of thing but enjoyable to discover.

I found the album very refreshing and interesting.

Gorgeous! 4 stars!

if someone told me something along the lines of like... if you like Ali Farka Touré too much you should marry him... lets just say SAVE THE DATE 16/05/2026

The exact music you want smoking some African tobacco on a late-August backyard patio.

I'd give it a 3, but then I recognized the desert influence on my favourite albums. Not all tracks slap. But they're okay to listen to. Imagine saying "oh yeah this is gonna be my best album yet".

One of the best guitarists of all time and never talked about enough.

Man, Mali has produced some cool fellas. Tinariwen on the run for being too rock n roll for example. Ali's the OG though

I really liked this one, very cool and diverse sound, and it was very fun to listen to a language I don't understand.

I love the desert rock sound. Only 4 stars because a lot of the vocals aren’t my thing here.

Very good Blues album made by a very good artist.

Surprised myself by how much I enjoyed this one. Love the blues and this is such a cool version of it.

This is pretty cool! I wasn't expecting Desert Blues on this list. One of my favorite albums in Elwan by Tinariwen, and I'm super interested in hearing more from this genre. While this doesn't quite live up to Tinariwen, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and am glad it ended up on the list. More people need to listen to this type of music! I'm honestly on the edge of a five. Favorite Track: Soyo Yhinka

This is great world music, emphasis on music... the term has gotten so polluted with anything that isn't Western that it's hard to parse when it's being applied correctly. All too often world music feels like it's being included to broaden horizons, not because it's great. This is pretty great.

Fun listen

King of the desert african blues Soya Hanana

Zo interessant. Veel verschillende geluiden het kan een beetje overstimmulating zijn maar ook wel weer cool. Heel bluesy maar ook heel afrikaans. Ik had eerst niet verwacht dat ik het leuk zou vinden maar het klinkt zo anders dan andere dingen die ik heb geluisterd dus ik kan gwn niet stoppen.

Musically fantastic. No idea what he was signing about but the vibe was still clear. One of the better listens in this cluster of an experience.

I've heard Mali music and African blues before, so this wasn't a new sound to me, though the album was new to me. It is a great example of the style, and I did like it. I felt it was too long, but it was solid, and I probably would go back to this album, as a very well-produced and refined version of the genre.

Pure class and very raw! As an Irishman who can only speak English, I don't understand what he is singing. But that does not matter, music is a universal language and you, you know how he feels by his voice and the music! The album is an amazing album and a very unique blues album!

tof plaatje... begint super maar duurt misschien toch net iets te lang

- Had this guy before and it was great! Bluesy guitars, harmonicas and raw, afrobeat percussion. - Sad to read that this was released posthumously after Toure's death in 2006. - Really nice to just pop on and groove. Instrumentation is fantastic, just a shame I don't understand any of the lyrics.

To be clear to start, I didn't have the lyrics with me as I listened to this album. And that's bad form, I know, I know. Even as someone who's as "melody first" as I claim to be, I should have found 'em — and translated, too, I should say. But, I'unno, the day I got around to this album I figured I wanted to take it just on its vibes. I'd seen so much talk about it (including describing it as a Louisiana barbecue — which is a few thousand miles off point from its original, but I get it), I guess I wanted to see what I got out of it as I worked on some other stuff at the same time. And I'll tell you, on vibes alone it is certainly not a bad album. Not at all. It's a very different sort of blues than I'm used to, to begin with. I don't have any reference for what African blues should sound like, let alone why Ali is the "king of the desert blues singers," but at least going off of this I can tell you it's pretty good stuff. It's heavily focused around guitar work, to the point where I don't think there's any percussion at all. Instead, the bass and the other guitar hafta pick up the work. It's interesting; it reminds a lot of how some very early rock n' roll records wouldn't have any drums, instead relying on the slap click of the bass. It also **does** feel a lot like a barbecue, like your older relatives decided to bust out their old guitars and jam on some blues for everyone. I can see eating a nice, juicy hot dog to this music — covered in crispy burn marks and drenched with two or three lines of ketchup. Mmm. Though, with that said, it's not exactly ... terribly engaging? At least not to me. Like, I can see why I've seen it described as background music: while it **is** good, there's not a whole about it I'd say is all that gripping. Which isn't a bad thing to me, of course; I'm the first person to stand up for and argue in favor of background music. But I can tell, if I'd tried to listen to this closely I would've lost interest very fast. Perhaps even if I had pulled up the lyrics. Heck, even not giving it 100% of my attention I could very easily notice that there didn't seem to be a lot of progression in these songs. There were times, honestly, where my ears would tune back in and I'd think to myself, "Damn, this song is still going?" And I'm thinking this sort of thing about songs that're only 3 to 5 minutes long. I even accidentally skipped the seven-forty long title track, so I can only imagine how that one would feel. Which all isn't to say I didn't enjoy my time with this album. As a representative for African blues (Mali blues specifically), I can get enough of an idea why some people would be really into it. I can understand well enough why Martin Scorsese would call it the "D.N.A. of the blues." But for my own tastes, eh. I don't think I need to be dazzled by every album I listen to, but I would've appreciated a bit more of that "wow!" factor, y'know? Maybe if I'd gotten the lyrics, or followed along with the explanations in the liner notes. But as it stands, I think I'd recommend it, just to see if you'd get more out of it than I did. And I hope you do, honestly.

A different, yet enjoyable take on the blues. Solid 4 Stars.

I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump up to a 4. Hard to really rate this one, since I never had any lyrics in front of me & I didn’t have a really good base of comparison to work with here (similar in DNA to some of the other African albums we’ve gotten, but it just felt different), so I’m just going off of a vibe, really. I enjoyed a lot of this album; really eclectic instrumentation choices with a good variety & pace throughout. There’s good vocals throughout with some really nice harmonies, & plenty of guitar work (perhaps a little too much), with an emphasis on bass / electric guitar to substitute for the percussion on a lot of the tracks, which didn’t feel as impactful & mesmerizing as some of the other African albums we’ve gotten. Of course, that’s all just production choices, so it’s hard to fault them at all. If I can fault this album on anything, at least for my tastes, it’s just a little long, with a flatter sense of progression. I think a lot of the tracks here could’ve been trimmed down by at least a minute, since some of them just start to really settle into repetition in a way that halts the album’s momentum. When this album has that constant sense of progression, it feels really nice, though not as highly energetic as I was expecting. This is a relaxed blues album, one that’s meant more as background noise to settle into, as if you’ve shown up for a Tiny Desk Concert by accident, yet still find yourself getting really into it. Ultimately, I think that sense of repetition & the lack of a more “dazzling” energy is gonna keep this at a 3.5 bumped up to a 4 for me, as opposed to something higher. It’s still a good album, and one hell of a vibe, but it’s one that falls apart a little easier compared to its contemporaries. Surprisingly, Ali Farka Touré has another album on this list, 1994’s “Talking Timbuktu”, so hopefully that one will click even better for me. This is a recommended listen, if only for the cultural trip of sorts, and if it works for you more than it worked for me, more power to you. It’s a 3.5 I’ll bump up to a 4.

Outstanding blues

First time listening to this kind of music. Enjoyed it.

Another lovely album from Mr You're, I love how he adapts such a distinctly American sound (the blues) and completely remolds it out of African scales and instrumentation.

7/10

Fun bluesy album. Interesting guitar work. No idea whats being sang about but musically its solid.

The more I listened the more I liked it. 4 stars or B.

Bon, on ne va pas se mentir, quand on a passé la fin des années 90 à classer des imports de Godflesh et à débattre de la meilleure face B de Joy Division derrière le comptoir d'un disquaire indépendant, la section "Musiques du Monde" (cette appellation fourre-tout un peu dégueulasse qu'on utilisait par facilité) n'était pas forcément ma destination première. Et pourtant, le projet "1001 Albums" est là pour ça : me sortir la tête de mon ampli Sunn O))) pour aller voir si l'herbe est plus verte ailleurs. Aujourd'hui, on atterrit au Mali, avec un monument : Ali Farka Touré et son album posthume, "Savane", sorti en 2006. Pour situer le bonhomme, si vous avez vécu dans une grotte (ou si vous n'écoutiez que du gabber dans les années 90), Ali Farka Touré est souvent surnommé le "John Lee Hooker africain". C'est un raccourci journalistique un peu facile, mais ça a le mérite de poser le décor : on est ici à la racine du blues. Pas le blues électrique de Chicago, pas le blues rock qui tache, mais ce blues primal, celui qui semble remonter le fleuve Niger avant d'avoir été déporté dans le delta du Mississippi. Ry Cooder, grand pote d'Ali et architecte du fameux "Talking Timbuktu", a qualifié "Savane" d'album "absolument parfait". Rien que ça... Quand un type qui a joué avec Captain Beefheart et les Rolling Stones sort un adjectif pareil, on tend l'oreille, même si on est un vieux cynique biberonné au post-punk. Ry Cooder pèse ses mots, mais est-ce que je vais peser les miens ? Spoiler : Ry s'emballe un peu, mais il n'a pas totalement tort. Il faut savoir que "Savane" est le testament d'Ali Farka Touré. L'album a été enregistré alors qu'il se savait condamné par un cancer des os (il est mort quelques semaines avant la sortie). C'est un disque d'urgence sereine, si tant est que ce concept existe. Il a été enregistré à Bamako, à l'hôtel Mandé, avec une vue imprenable sur le fleuve. Et bordel, ça s'entend, la production est d'une chaleur incroyable. On est loin des studios aseptisés ou des productions lo-fi que j'affectionne d'habitude chez mes groupes indie. Ici, le son est plein, organique, vivant. Ce qui frappe d'entrée, c'est la guitare. Ali Farka Touré avait ce toucher unique, ce jeu hypnotique qui n'appartient qu'à lui. Mais sur "Savane", il laisse énormément de place aux instruments traditionnels, notamment le ngoni (ce luth ouest-africain qui est l'ancêtre du banjo) joué ici par le virtuose Bassekou Kouyaté. Le dialogue entre la guitare électrique d'Ali et le ngoni est le cœur battant de cet album. C'est un tissage complexe, une conversation musicale d'une fluidité déconcertante. Et c'est là qu'on arrive au point de friction, celui que je vais soulever et avec lequel, beaucoup d'entre vous risque d'être d'accord. Je parle de "longueurs pour des oreilles occidentales". Je suis né en 70, j'ai grandi avec le format pop, le format rock, voire le format punk : intro, couplet, refrain, pont, refrain, fin. Ou alors, dans des délires plus expérimentaux à la John Zorn ou Godflesh, je suis habitué à la tension, à la rupture, au chaos sonore. Ici, on est dans tout autre chose, on est dans la circularité. Les morceaux de "Savane" ne cherchent pas à aller quelque part, ils sont là, ils s'installent, ils tournent. C'est une musique de transe, mais une transe douce, contemplative. Pour un occidental habitué à ce que la musique lui saute à la gorge ou lui raconte une histoire linéaire, ça peut être déstabilisant et sur certains titres, j'ai eu cette sensation de surplace. C'est magnifique, certes, techniquement irréprochable, l'émotion est palpable, mais bon sang, est-ce qu'on ne tourne pas un peu en rond au bout de la sixième minute ? Il y a ce côté "jam session" infinie qui peut lasser et c'est le piège de la virtuosité tranquille. Quand on écoute du post-rock, les morceaux font 20 minutes, mais il y a une montée, une dramaturgie, une explosion cataclysmique. Ici, la dynamique est plus plane, c'est un fleuve tranquille et parfois "trop" tranquille. Malgré ces longueurs, je ne peux pas rejeter cet album car il y a une puissance d'évocation phénoménale. Quand je ferme les yeux sur le morceau titre "Savane", je ne suis plus dans mon salon grisâtre. Je sens la poussière, je vois la lumière dorée de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Ali Farka Touré avait cette voix... une voix de vieux sage, éraillée, profonde, qui impose le respect immédiat. Même sans comprendre un traître mot de Songhaï ou de Peul, on sent le poids des mots, la gravité du propos. Musicalement, c'est d'une richesse folle. Il y a du blues, oui, mais il y a aussi des rythmes qui flirtent avec le reggae (sans le côté "fête à neuneu"), des syncopes jazz. C'est le son d'un homme qui fait la synthèse de sa vie et de sa culture. C'est dense, c'est boisé, c'est authentique. D'ailleurs, pour revenir à mes références de vieux disquaire, il y a un lien à faire avec le drone. Si on aime Sunn O))) pour sa capacité à étirer le temps et à créer une texture sonore, on peut, avec un petit effort d'adaptation, apprécier "Savane" pour les mêmes raisons. Il faut accepter de lâcher prise, d'arrêter d'attendre le refrain, et se laisser porter par le groove hypnotique du ngoni et des percussions. C'est une musique d'état, pas une musique d'action. Alors, "absolument parfait" comme le dit Ry Cooder ? Non. Ry Cooder est un musicien, il écoute avec des oreilles de musicien, fasciné par la technique et l'âme. Moi, j'écoute avec mes oreilles de type qui a passé trop de temps à écouter des mecs hurler dans des micros sur fond de guitares saturées. Pour moi, "Savane" est un très bon album, un témoignage essentiel d'un géant de la musique. C'est un disque noble, élégant, et profondément humain. Mais c'est aussi un disque qui demande une disposition d'esprit particulière. Ce n'est pas un album que je mettrais en fond sonore pour faire la vaisselle, ni un disque pour conduire sur l'autoroute. C'est un disque qui demande de la patience. Il y a des moments où l'attention décroche, où la répétition devient lassitude plutôt que méditation. C'est le choc culturel, sans doute. Nos oreilles, formatées par des décennies de rock anglo-saxon, cherchent des repères qui ne sont pas là. Est-ce un album qu'il faut écouter avant de mourir ? Oui, sans hésitation. Parce qu'il offre une porte d'entrée royale vers une musique malienne riche et complexe. Parce que le jeu de guitare d'Ali Farka Touré est une leçon d'humilité pour tous les shredders de métal qui pensent que la vitesse fait le talent. C'est une œuvre majeure, un adieu poignant, mais qui aurait peut-être gagné à être un poil plus resserré pour être totalement digeste pour nous, pauvres occidentaux pressés. Mais après tout, c'est peut-être nous le problème, pas l'album. Note finale 4 sur 5 : Très bon album, solide, émouvant. Mais prévoyez du temps et débranchez votre besoin d'immédiateté avant d'appuyer sur lecture.

Jännittävästi muistuttaa osa biiseistä eurooppalaisesta kansanmusiikista. joku enemmän musiikista tietävä vois varmaan kertoa miksi. 4/5

I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a fun listen. I had it on at work and got annoyed when someone swung by or called. Good album. I have listened to it a few times since then and I enjoy it. It's been added to my full time rotation.

Excellent desert blues. A known and good quantity

Liked it. Barely a 4. Would change if another album of his is better.

Enjoyed. Bluesy. Chanting. Rhythmic.

great guitar playing. I do wish I understood the lyrics but this was cool.

"Latin jazz" feels like an odd classification from apple music. I enjoyed this, different from most stuff on this list.

Blues, grit, Afrikaans influence

It's interesting to hear the similarities and differences in this and "US" blues. Can hear the influence on Songhoy Blues as well.

An interesting fusion style I've never heard before.

4.0 (58:37 13 tracks - released posthumously - 3rd and last album) Second West African (Mali) group on the list and I liked both.

beguiling, swaying, deeply groovy desert blues

Det e fint, på den måten kor typisk Riddu-musikk føles kjent men fremmed, det e sånn musikk skal høres ut sjøl om æ aldri har hørt akkurat det her før. Alt vel alt vel.

Deeply rooted and rhythmic. The blues DNA is undeniable, and the title track especially hits that perfect groove — timeless, soulful, and sun-baked in the best way.

Interesting! I usually prefer lyrics that I can understand, maybe sing along to, but the instrumentation was so good that I kept listening to the end. I'm really glad I did!

Great

Interesting music.

Voto do Pedro.

Very nice music.

This feels like a love letter written by Touré to his craft, recorded in his final days and released after his death. Many of these tracks feel adjacent to meditations - repeated riffs and motifs over narrowly varying instrumentation, but seems to be such intentionally. Ali's droning vocal delivery might be an acquired taste, but sonically contracts to the polished, steady suite of guitar and percussion in the background. I enjoyed this listen, and not for any of the reasons I thought I would. Favourite track: title track 7.5/10

The African John Lee Hooker is a really funny term for describing this guy and I don't know why. I see it though. No idea what I'm listening to, but I really enjoy the guitarwork and vocals on this thing. This is what I like with World music, not just some cunt screaming to bongos. Anyways, I was repairing a phone screen while I was listening to this so I was extremely stressed and on edge listening to this. Does that mean I didn't enjoy it? Fuck no, this thing is awesome. Fav: Yer Bounds Fara

This was a fun and enjoyable album. It’s pretty much African folk mixed with blues. Once you get a little ways into it, it definitely draws you in with its meditative and trance like atmosphere. Turns out Ali Farka Touré had been battling cancer, and during that battle he managed to create this album, but unfortunately, he passed away just a few months before it was released.

No matter the language, that’s some damn fine guitar playing!

African blues is appealing, despite the language barrier, because of the instruments used and the rhythm. I don’t know if I like this album more or less than others of its genre, but it kept me interested. 3.5

I like this quite a bit, even though I have no idea what the lyrics mean. Great background music. 3.5* rounding up because I would like to come back to it

Gillade blues och österländska influenserna

Wonderful! I've also really enjoyed the music of Vieux Farka Touré, Ali's son. In fact I saw him live at The Chapel, a music venue around the corner from my house. If you're reading this, also check out Mdou Moctar.

Fun to listen to, new to me

There was a repetitive slightly off beat in a lot of these songs I really liked, sort of a math rock blues thing. Most of the album flew by. Was a bit too long though and there were a few songs that didn't land for me, and I wish I understood the lyrics to give it all a bit more context. Overall it was good and I'd happily listen again but I've got a feeling I might not go back.

Good blues, well made. I probably won’t revisit it

First Malian music I've ever heard. Sort of like a new blues. Really liked it, great vibes.

Good vibes. Another day, another 4. This was excellent chill background

This was cool, and a pretty good blues album. You can feel the soul coming through even if you don't speak Malian, and the instruments work is well done. I feel like I'd love to hear this music in a movie.

Okay, nice instrumental vibes.

*Insert my usual comments about language barrier and lack of context for foreign artists here*... then ignore a lot of that because this album just has some added soul and variability to it that makes is a star better than the other similar albums we've had.

Blues from Mali are very interesting.Ali Farka Toure's last swan song is a very good album. Let's see it song by song: Erdi starts off with a lot of reverb,bit noisy and with Ali Farka Toure talking it feels more like an intro song, Yer Bounda Fara reminded me of a traditional chinese song for some reason,sounded almost like a ritual, Beto has a sax in it and a repetition in lyrics like a mantra but the female vocals compliments it,and sort of completes it, Savane has a great guitar (among other instruments) through the whole song,french vocals and an almost reggae-ish rhythm,bit long though, Soya has african vocals with a nice rhythm, Penda Yoro (Yoro is a small village in Mali) has a more blues feel that the previous ones very rhythmic and very well played, Machengoidi sounds more like a traditional song, Ledi coumbe wasn't interesting at all. Hanana, again reminded me of Chinese traditional music in a weird way, Soko Yhinka song was a joy to my ears mixing traditional rhythms along with bluesy guitar and great vocals,very hypnotic probably my favourite, Gambari Didi has the King of the Desert Blues reffering to himself and talking throughout the whole song,my least favourite, Banga has a more Arabic, sound of the desert feel with hypnotic repetitions like the music of the Sufis, N'Jarou is a bluesy song with some Soul-funk undertones. Overall it's a great album,i really enjoyed this and heard it without forwarding no song (like i did with the previous Paul Weller one) but i wish i had more knowlwdge to rate this more properly so it's a 4/5 to me.

Really enjoyed this album

Very unique style—loved the multiple languages interweaved with both the West African & southern blues stylings.

Really technical and a good listen. Hard to comment more after one listen but didn't have time for more.

I enjoyed this. Sonically it's was the blues with a bluegrass vibe. I'd like to hear more.

I liked how it felt like it took a blend of genres and mixed them up

I usually struggle to connect to music if it’s in a foreign language but this was good work music.

This album made for a fantastic companion on my flight. I’ve listened to a bit of Ali Farka Touré, but I believe this is the first full album and I’m grateful for it.

It’s good. What happened to African music after American blues. Talks of it being pure or ‘proper’ are wrong. It’s music that influenced and was influenced by a global music environment. Worth a listen.

The acoustic guitar on this album is amazing, even with some of the songs being talking blues, which i’m not usually a massive fan of, the guitar work by Touré absolutely made them so much more better and enjoyable. The rest was the same with the quality of guitar but better in my opinion with the more singing based vocals. The whole album basically followed the pattern of a focus on the acoustic guitar with light, distant percussion and Touré either talking or singing with backup singers in the background. It’s quite a simple premise for the whole album but Touré is clearly a master of his craft which makes it stand out to other desert blues or blues as a whole. Also, a good album to go out on, he claimed it was his best but artists saying the album they just released or are about to release isn’t always reliable as they may just be wanting sales. Overall, 7.5/10.

Ended up listening to it three times.

Desert sessions afrička varijanta, znači nema šta da ne valja. Možda ne bih redovno slušala ali je vrlo prijatno i cijenim umjetničke sposobnosti.

Not the greatest desert blues, but still really good. 4 stars

had to retrain my brain not to constantly be seeking a new melody and then i really enjoyed this, especially a few tracks at the end

Loved it. 4

This will send you down a journey through African blues, and your horizons will expand.

oh this my vibe for sure

a really strong desert blues sound by THE man for this style.

I really loved the combination of blues and African instruments. I'm really glad I got to listen to this album.

CCOOOOOPLLLLLLL

I liked this! Cool vibes

This is what I want from this project. I haven't heard anything like it. "World music" is to music as "fish" is to biology, an easy category to shove stuff in that's not what is popular (to us), which deserves more narrow definitions. It's very African, and is also heavily influenced by American music, especially blues. It's a great blend or flavors. Outside the occasional French, the lyrics are for a different audience, so I mostly don't know what he songs are about, but this album makes me wish I knew Arabic. After checking this on Wikipedia, I'm curious about this guy's catalogue. Dying automatically makes your next release better in the eyes (or ears, in this case) of critics and publications, so I'm curious if his previous releases were even better.

Not familiar with the genre but it seemed to be somewhat experimental African blues. I enjoyed it.

It should surprise no one that “desert blues” works so well as a genre when you consider the fact that west African musical traditions are essentially at the heart of pretty much all American popular music. And in a country that has no shortage of incredible artists blending ancient tradition with ~modern~ sound, AFT was definitely a master.

First time hearing this. Haunting, a bit slow at times. A good sound with good guitar work. Nice music for sitting in a dark room on a hot humid day.

nicer sound, aber nit etwas was i regelmäßig hören würd

A beautiful blend of Malian and western music. Didn't understand a word, but enjoyed the luscious melodies all the same. African blues is such a lovely genre (Tinariweg, Mdou Moctar, etc.) and it's a crying shame that some artists (*coughElvisCostello*) get FOUR+ albums on this list, when there are so many amazing artists like Ali who didn't even make the cut. More of this, please.

Albums like this are exactly what I wanted coming into this project. A bluesy, soulful Malian album I otherwise never would have heard of? What's not to love

In spite of the very blues looking album cover and the proclamation, beneath Ali Farka’s name, that he’s “The King of the desert blues singers,” this album doesn't sound like any kind of blues that I've ever heard. To my ears it's more blues influenced, I can hear a little John Lee Hooker but Chess Records blues this is not. What I hear is traditional West African music, you know the sounds of the Ngoni (a plucked lute), the Njarka (single-string fiddle) and the Gurkel (single-string guitar), and Toure's Western blues inspired majestic six-stringed excursions that often has an audio mirage-like effect on the listener. Did I just hear that? It's all very hypnotic, easy to be lost in trance inducing sounds. Never having heard desert blues before the songs tend to sound pretty similar to each other but it's a beautiful sound and more than a worthwhile listen.

Solid, chill

This sounds like a hot day. The guitar work is great, there’s no real urgency on this record, they’re going at their own speed here and that’s just fine. 4 stars

Never heard of this artist or the genre of African blues but this is a great album. Interestingly some of the tracks sound a bit like Indian chanting music to me. Some very nice Richard Thompson like guitar work aswell.

Am interesting album, I liked Yer Bounda Fara and Penda Yoro the most.

great blend of east and west; listened several times and found it captivating

Banga indeed

This is pretty great. I've enjoyed West African music in the past, but had never heard of Ali Farka Touré - glad to have the chance to be introduced. I'll admit it's just a shade slow for me - I love the sonic landscape of the songs, but I've associated a similar sound with a slightly faster pace previously, so this can feel a little lagging at times. That said, still something I'd be happy to have on pretty much any time.

Ali fucking toure. Beduine sound vum feinste. Natürlich i mine marroko reise druf gstosse und uf gschicht vu de Tuareg, dem Volk wo i de Sahel zone mal nomadisch glebt hed. So was heds wiedermal brucht. Was ein vibe die eige Kreation mit de afrikanisch antwort ufd guitarre. Anmerkung: er chund vu Timbuktu: Mali, aso im Niger gebore aber s land denn glaub i de 60er unabhägig wurde. Ha grad na e wikipedia deepdive hiegleid 1 Leckerbissen, 2 staatenlösung, 3 Ländereck i de Sahara, 4x4 rettigsaktion i de wüste, 5 sternlis? Jauwski 4 oder 5, wür sege es gid na geileri albe vu ihm. Vor allem na älteri versione, darum mit de hoffnig dass na eis chund, vorerst 4. scusi Ali, chunsch es cinquet über, pinky promise

West Kentucky bluegrass, African tribal music, delta blues, indian sitar jams: this album has it all. Kinda like Taj Mahal

Desert Blues just really hits the spot for me. Does it help that it’s 100 degrees out right now? That certainly possible. But something in this music calls to mind a night around a campfire, sitting with friends and relaxing. There’s some magic here that scratches an itch in my soul. Really just lovely, relaxing music. I don’t think this is necessarily Toure’s best album, but I still enjoy it very much. Anyone else who liked this one should give Ali’s son and Khruangbin’s collaboration album “Ali”.

really neat melding of music from all over the world. feels like it's one part mississippi delta blues, one part western african rock. i'm really impressed by the musicianship here. some really fun riffs and grooves here. this is the sort of stuff i love to get in this project - something fun, something unique, something i'm glad i listened to before i died.

Hard to know whether this proves blues were more African (and thus less African-American) than previously thought. One's not sure there is – or can be – a true or final answer to the question of origin anyway, but the music sounds authentically rootsy and no doubt it’s a great listen, too. Deep and serious, soulful and borderline mournful, yet still tuneful and satisfying.

Another album I am going into completely blind, firstly as a precursor before I attempt to review this album; this is seemingly beyond my capabilities as a minor music snob, I'm concerned it's gone straight over my head, but let's find out together. This album does not make me want to ride a skateboard, but it does make me want to sit in the grass, drinking a huge glass of red wine in the sun somewhere very humid and beautiful. The album has an earthy feel to it, it seems to flow from track to track almost like a river (??), it feels nostalgic but also brand new all at the same time. A true giant of African music, and potentially the greatest ambassador of desert blues, I was so pleasantly surprised by this album and can't wait to listen to it all year round. 3.9/5 - HF xo Another blind album here we go. To say I'm a lover of blues music would be selling it short and this album is no exception. Desert Blues has this earthy, rustic feel to it and you can see the inspirations of the feel and sound from Mississippi Blues and a multitude of different subgenres. The mixture of western blues and more African styles of music works incredibly well together. The track Savane in particular carries an air of mystery to it in a way, with the clean strums of acoustic guitar and the sharp twangs of some kind of high strung stringed instrument. A very welcome surprise and would happily spend another summer giving it a listen. 3.9/5 MTW

Really interesting. This is what I like about this list. Hearing completely new stuff.

Pleasant music of a genre I wouldn't typically bump into

I like Ali Farka Toure. Chill blues with an African vibe. This album is great, very cool.

Probably not something I'd go back to but I can appreciate the talent here.

Not something I would generally listen to in my usual world but it was a beautiful experience. I am so glad I listend to this album!

True "roots" blues. This expert guitarist blends African American blues back with its Malian origins. And it rocks. I simply love this. 4/5

I don’t feel qualified to rate it, but I found it effortlessly cool

I like how intriguing this is. Such a unique sound, a mixture of different cultures. Full of soul and fun to listen to. I feel like I’m in Louisiana but also somewhere in Africa.

An enjoyable album and a nice discovery, I can’t say I know much African blues. I really liked this vibe. Would listen again.

At last a non European record. And very good it is, too!

Very interesting, far outside the norm. I find it inspirational and tranquil without being boring. Pairs well with drawing and decorating.

quite good! a little bit too laid back for my taste, but it’s quite a good time.

Many artists in this challenge I’d never heard of, but hoped I would find a new source of musical pleasure. It finally happened with this album. Lovely new and familiar at the same time.

I liked this a lot. You can definitely here the blues and other genres in this African guitar music. Will listen to it again.

RIP to a legend

A good mix of western blues/rock and traditional African sounds. Surprisingly enjoyable.

Jumaleissön, olipa hyvän kuuloista old school henkistä bluesia. Eipä ole ennen tullut kuunneltua malilaista bluesia, vielä kun olisi ymmärtänyt sanoista jotain.

do i understand the lyrics? no do i love it anyway? duh beautiful instrumentals throughout - i like that it doesn't feels performative I don't think I've listened to any african blues (through my own vocation) but it reminds me of random cd's my dad would acquire and play in the kitchen. I'll be diving deeper into this genre for SURE Songs added to my playlist: - Yer Bounda Fara - Savane - Soya

This was a ton of fun. Had no idea what to expect and am still not entirely sure what I heard. But I liked it a lot.

Sahara Blues.

bangas

fun, 4

Never heard of this guy in my life but after one listen I'm now dedicating the rest of my life to be really insufferably into the desert blues.

This album is intriguing. Listening to it, I felt like I was in the middle of New Orleans Neo Noir film trying to solve a crime nobody wanted to take the time to solve. And I am working extra hard because I don't know French, Cajun, or any blend enough to be helpful. I am enjoying listening for clues I'll never get. Music and production value are amazing. Bottom line, is this is exactly the kind of unique album that makes this list and process so valuable.

A very rad experience I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t do this project. Lovely strumming going on here.

This was cool. First time I've listened to a Mali artist, couldn't understand anything obviously, but he sounded really good. Loved the sound and the overall feel of this album. Very nice.

In a more impulsive era, I cajoled a clerk at an incense shop to sell me the store’s copy of Ali Farka Toure’s The Source because I was so spellbound by it. This is more bluesy than that one but is nonetheless hypnotic.

What makes this posthumous release especially interesting to listen to is how it bridges continents and musical styles. There are fiddles and other traditional West African instruments throughout, but also saxophones ("N'jarou," "Beto") and harmonica ("Ledi Coumbe"), and he sings "Savane" in French. Ali Farka Toure was often compared to John Lee Hooker, and while he has his own distinctive sound, he often veers into a similarly droning Delta blues vein. It all makes for a highly captivating, meditative listen.

This list has really exposed me to some Desert Blues. I think this is my favorite record of the bunch.

genuinely very good

lovely stuff

Always, just beautiful voice and sounds. It didn’t distinguish itself on first listen as a step above the typically gorgeous sounds of this genre, so it’s a bit of a reluctant 4 rather than 5.

Nice!

really good album sounds like Gotye "borrowed" the beat for that song from here

If all blues came from the desert, I would be a bigger fan.

An evocative and soulful album full of superbly played stringed instruments to create a great African tapestry of melody. A masterclass in singing little but saying a lot.

So good and chill

Desert Blues! Who would’a thunk it?! I really enjoyed this album for many reasons. First, I appreciated that it was not a straight Delta-Style, but blended American blues with local tribal and Spanish Flamenco, best heard on the song Sabu Yerkoy. The song Savane was almost psychedelic in its hypnotic repetition. Meanwhile songs like Bonde retained more of the African feel. It was interesting that ‘70-80s blues man Ry Cooder was so prominent on this album, but doing so in such a way that his contribution didn’t overshadow Ali Farka. I could listen to this one again and again.

Before this list I never heard of Ali Farka Touré, and after a second album from him, I understand why he is part of this. This is a really good, natural, convergence of blues and West African music.

I like this guy’s style on this one. All good vibes. No worries. “Desert Blues” really does fit so well. Great instrumentation and vocals, when they’re present. Good stuff. 4/5

Blues from a Malian artist. Enjoyed this despite the language barrier. "Erdi" grooves, very rhythmic. "Savane"

Gosh - this was a melodic treat! It did go on a tad too long but I loved the entrancing effect it had, like floating on treacle.

At times, this can be pretty mystical and hypnotic. Other songs didn't work as well for me, but man, when it works, it's something. That first tune is fantastic.

An African Blues album by Malian musician Ali Farka Touré and his final album, recorded while he was suffering from cancer. Mainly for fans of World Music, but I liked it.

This was a really welcome change of pace from the white British indie rock that gets served up so regularly here. Some chilly, sunny vibes

Meer Malinees getokkel vanuit de luie stoel. Best aardig, maar we hadden zoiets al gehad, toch? Op zich sympathiek, weinig attentiewaarde, maar het heeft de gunfactor.

Guitar picking over African/middle eastern backing, nice background

This rocks. Apparently this is a mix of traditional music from Mali and blues. I listened to it twice. The more blues leaning songs were more up my alley than the ones that I guess were more straight up Malian music but it still sounded like nothing else I've heard before so that's cool.

I’d never heard this guy before - it was really gorgeous

Interesting African Blues good beat

Easy to see where Songhoy Blues got inspiration from. I like it!

African Blues....pretty badass.

I’ve enjoyed just about all of the African music that’s come to me through this project. Glad to have my horizons expanded.

Ali Farka Toure - I recognized this name and soon figured out that it was in fact the father of Vieux Farka Toure - a beautiful musician himself who is featured on Khruangbin’s “Ali” record. While listening to “Savane”, I felt immersed inside the African culture and world that Ali pulled inspiration and love from. Every song has its own flavor and magic that makes you smile and dance. I really enjoyed the purity of this record, I just might come back for more… Favorites: Savane, Soya, Banga

🎧Add Ali Farka Touré and this very cool African blues album to the list of great discoveries from the 1001AYMHBYD project. Will be returning to this one.

very enjoyable

Albums like this are why I really enjoyed this project. Unless they are exceptionally bad, every world album has gotten a 4/5 from me. I love hearing music that I would have never known about had it not been for this. This one was very enjoyable!

malian gabor szabo

Quite good. Reminds me of Tinariwen. I may have to listen to more desert music.