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| ===== Biography ===== | ===== Biography ===== | ||
| - | Ali Farka Toure was born in 1939 in Gourmararusse (in the Timbuktu region), [[Mali]], into the noble Sorhai family. Being of noble birth, he should never have taken up music. His family disapproved because the musician profession is normally inherited in Malian society and the right to play belongs to the musician families. However, being a man of determination and independence, once he decided to take up music, there was no stopping him. | + | {{ :ali_farka_toure-thomasdorn2.jpg|}}Ali Farka Toure was born in 1939 in Gourmararusse (in the Timbuktu region), [[Mali]], into the noble Sorhai family. Being of noble birth, he should never have taken up music. His family disapproved because the musician profession is normally inherited in Malian society and the right to play belongs to the musician families. However, being a man of determination and independence, once he decided to take up music, there was no stopping him. |
| Ali Farka Toure took up the [[guitar]] at the age of ten, but it wasn't until about age 17 that he really got a handle on the instrument. In 1950 he began playing the [[gurkel]], a single string African guitar that he chose because of its power to draw out the spirits. He also taught himself the [[njarka]], a single string fiddle that was a popular part of his performances. | Ali Farka Toure took up the [[guitar]] at the age of ten, but it wasn't until about age 17 that he really got a handle on the instrument. In 1950 he began playing the [[gurkel]], a single string African guitar that he chose because of its power to draw out the spirits. He also taught himself the [[njarka]], a single string fiddle that was a popular part of his performances. | ||
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| Then in 1956, Ali Farka Toure saw a performance by the great Guinean guitarist Keita Fodeba in Bamako. He was so moved that he decided then and there to become a guitarist. Teaching himself, Alila Farka Toure adapted traditional songs using the techniques he had learned on the [[gurkel]]. | Then in 1956, Ali Farka Toure saw a performance by the great Guinean guitarist Keita Fodeba in Bamako. He was so moved that he decided then and there to become a guitarist. Teaching himself, Alila Farka Toure adapted traditional songs using the techniques he had learned on the [[gurkel]]. | ||
| - | During a visit to Bamako in the late 1960's, artists such as Ray Charles, Otis Redding and most importantly [[John Lee Hooker]] introduced Ali Farka Toure to African-American music. At first, he thought that Hooker was playing Malian music, but then realized that this music coming from the [[United States of America]] had deep African roots. Ali Farka Toure was also inspired by Hooker's strength as a performer and began to incorporate elements into his own playing. During those years Ali Farka Toure composed, sang and performed with the famous Troupe 117, a group created by the Malian government after the country's independence. | + | During a visit to Bamako in the late 1960's, artists such as Ray Charles, Otis Redding and most importantly [[John Lee Hooker]] introduced Ali Farka Toure to African-American music. At first, he thought that Hooker was playing Malian music, but then realized that this music coming from the [[United States of America]] had deep African roots. |
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| + | Ali Farka Toure was also inspired by Hooker's strength as a performer and began to incorporate elements into his own playing. During those years Ali Farka Toure composed, sang and performed with the famous Troupe 117, a group created by the Malian government after the country's independence. | ||
| Ali Farka Toure trained as a sound engineer, a profession he practiced until 1980, when he had saved enough money to become a farmer, which is what he was until he died. | Ali Farka Toure trained as a sound engineer, a profession he practiced until 1980, when he had saved enough money to become a farmer, which is what he was until he died. | ||
| - | His recording career began in [[France]] in 1976, but that phase ended poorly, as Toure was never properly compensated. For years he followed a successful career in West Africa adapting traditional songs and rhythms in ten languages from [[Mali]]'s enormous cultural wealth. This career was combined with a life rooted in his village. While touring widely in Africa and also occasionally in Europe and the [[United States of America]], Toure preferred the security of his village life, family and friends, crops and livestock | + | {{ :ali_christinajaspars250.jpg|}}His recording career began in [[France]] in 1976, but that phase ended poorly, as Toure was never properly compensated. For years he followed a successful career in West Africa adapting traditional songs and rhythms in ten languages from [[Mali]]'s enormous cultural wealth. This career was combined with a life rooted in his village. While touring widely in Africa and also occasionally in Europe and the [[United States of America]], Toure preferred the security of his village life, family and friends, crops and livestock |
| In 1990, Toure abandoned music in order to tend to his farm, in his native Timbuktu. His producer managed to convince him otherwise and to return to his guitar. Two years later, he recorded the famous CD Talking Timbuktu with American guitarist [[Ry Cooder]]. The album won a Grammy award. | In 1990, Toure abandoned music in order to tend to his farm, in his native Timbuktu. His producer managed to convince him otherwise and to return to his guitar. Two years later, he recorded the famous CD Talking Timbuktu with American guitarist [[Ry Cooder]]. The album won a Grammy award. | ||
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| The World Circuit crew set up a mobile studio in the Hotel Mande in Bamako, overlooking the Niger River and recorded In the Heart of the Moon there in three two-hour sessions. Drawing on a body of traditional songs familiar to both men, Toure and Diabate again began without rehearsing together beforehand. Only one song required a second take-because it had been interrupted by a rainstorm. | The World Circuit crew set up a mobile studio in the Hotel Mande in Bamako, overlooking the Niger River and recorded In the Heart of the Moon there in three two-hour sessions. Drawing on a body of traditional songs familiar to both men, Toure and Diabate again began without rehearsing together beforehand. Only one song required a second take-because it had been interrupted by a rainstorm. | ||
| - | In the Heart of the Moon was the first of a trilogy of albums Nick Gold's label recorded at the Hotel Mande. The record also includes subtle contributions from [[Ry Cooder]] on [[piano]] and [[guitar]]; Sekou Kante and [[Cachaito Lopez]] on bass; and Joachim Cooder and Olalekan Babalola on percussion. In the Heart of the Moon won a [[world music]] Grammy in 2005. | + | {{ :ali_toumani-christinajaspar.jpg|}}In the Heart of the Moon was the first of a trilogy of albums Nick Gold's label recorded at the Hotel Mande. The record also includes subtle contributions from [[Ry Cooder]] on [[piano]] and [[guitar]]; Sekou Kante and [[Cachaito Lopez]] on bass; and Joachim Cooder and Olalekan Babalola on percussion. In the Heart of the Moon won a [[world music]] Grammy in 2005. |
| Red and Green, released in 2005 is a double disc that collects essential vintage recordings from Ali Farka Toure, most of which were previously vinyl-only classic tracks. The Red album is the set that launched Ali's career in the West; the Green album confirmed his status as one of Africa's most important artists. Both albums are included complete and digitally remastered from the original tapes. | Red and Green, released in 2005 is a double disc that collects essential vintage recordings from Ali Farka Toure, most of which were previously vinyl-only classic tracks. The Red album is the set that launched Ali's career in the West; the Green album confirmed his status as one of Africa's most important artists. Both albums are included complete and digitally remastered from the original tapes. | ||
| - | Touré recorded his last album, Savane, during his battle with bone cancer. The album, whose title translates to 'savannah,' reaffirms his connection with the traditional Songhai and Fulani music of northern [[Mali]]. He was joined by a small band of [[ngoni]] players, including two of his country’s best: [[Basekou Kouyate]] and [[Mama Sissoko]], who adapted their Mandé (southern Malian) playing to these northern styles. | + | Touré recorded his last album, Savane, during his battle with bone cancer. The album, whose title translates to 'savannah,' reaffirms his connection with the traditional Songhai and Fulani music of northern [[Mali]]. He was joined by a small band of [[ngoni]] players, including two of his country’s best: [[Bassekou Kouyate]] and [[Mama Sissoko]], who adapted their Mandé (southern Malian) playing to these northern styles. |
| Ali Farka Toure died March 7, 2006, from bone cancer. That year, World Circuit/Nonesuch released Savane. | Ali Farka Toure died March 7, 2006, from bone cancer. That year, World Circuit/Nonesuch released Savane. | ||
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| * [[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JFRN/musidelmund-20/102-1522863-5710565?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | Niafunke]] (World Circuit WCD 054, 1999) | * [[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JFRN/musidelmund-20/102-1522863-5710565?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | Niafunke]] (World Circuit WCD 054, 1999) | ||
| * [[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007PLKZC/musidelmund-20/102-1522863-5710565?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | Red & Green]] (World Circuit WCD070, 2004) | * [[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007PLKZC/musidelmund-20/102-1522863-5710565?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | Red & Green]] (World Circuit WCD070, 2004) | ||
| - | * ;;http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AQ69DG/musidelmund-20/102-7205621-8186548?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | In the Heart of the Moon]], with Toumani Diabate (World Circuit, 2005) | + | * [[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AQ69DG/musidelmund-20/102-7205621-8186548?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2 | In the Heart of the Moon]], with Toumani Diabate (World Circuit, 2005) |
| * [[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G1R3BW?ie=UTF8&tag=musidelmund-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000G1R3BW | Savane]] (World Circuit, 2005) | * [[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G1R3BW?ie=UTF8&tag=musidelmund-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000G1R3BW | Savane]] (World Circuit, 2005) | ||
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| ====== Articles ====== | ====== Articles ====== | ||
| - | * Heart Wrenching Malian Blues | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060927193632315 | Heart Wrenching Malian Blues]] |
| - | * Malian Guitar Legend Ali Farka Toure Dies | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php?story=20060307194407479 | Malian Guitar Legend Ali Farka Toure Dies]] |
| - | * World Circuit Re-releases Ali Farka Toure's 'Red' and 'Green' albums | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php?story=20041218125506478 | World Circuit Re-releases Ali Farka Toure's 'Red' and 'Green' albums]] |
| - | * Mississippi to Mali | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php?story=20030928201521151 | Mississippi to Mali]] |
| - | * Festival in the Desert | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php?story=20030819125638278 | Festival in the Desert]] |
| - | * Mali Lolo! Stars of Mali | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php?story=20030624090553993 | Mali Lolo! Stars of Mali]] |
| - | * Kultur International Films Announces Ali Farka Toure Documentary DVD | + | * [[http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060430072235140 | Kultur International Films Announces Ali Farka Toure Documentary DVD]] |
| + | ====== Credits ====== | ||
| + | Photo 1: Ali Farka Toure by Thomas Dorn. Photo 2 Ali Farka Toure in the studio by Christina Jaspar. Photo 3: Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Dibate by Christina Jaspar. | ||
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