Abdallah Oumbadougou – Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – Vol. 1 (Petaluma Records, 2024)
The album Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – Vol. 1 meticulously assembles studio recordings from the highly influential Tuareg musician, Abdallah Oumbadougou, crafted during the initial decade of the 21st century. This excellent compilation aims to present a comprehensive survey of the music of a revolutionary Saharan guitarist and community luminary whose indelible imprint on the propagation of Tuareg music and cultural heritage remains unparalleled.
Abdallah Oumbadougou occupies a seminal position in the evolution of what Western audiences have dubbed “Desert Blues” or “Tuareg rock,” originally denoted as assuf in Tamashek, the vernacular of the Tuareg people, signifying ‘longing,’ ‘nostalgia,’ or ‘non-physical anguish.’ His nickname “Amghar,” a Berber appellation for a tribal leader, underscores Oumbadougou’s legendary stature as both a virtuoso instrumentalist and a sagacious narrator, asserting his eminence as a worthy exemplar of the rock guitar lexicon. Oumbadougou’s pioneering works profoundly influenced prominent Tuareg musicians such as Mdou Moctar, Bombino, and Tinariwen.
“He was like a father to us. Like our first inspiration,” coveys the Nigerien Tuareg superstar Bombino, who became a close friend in the mid 1990s, when Abdallah’s music was at the top. “He was among the first musicians to bring us the music and take it far. He made it possible for us to know it.”
“I remember Abdallah when we were young,” remembers Ibrahim ag Alhabib, founding member of Tinariwen. “He was part of the story, and maybe there’s not enough about him now in the history. I think he gave something important to the Tamashek, a message for the young.”
Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – Vol. 1 serves as an indispensable compendium of Oumbadougou’s recorded repertoire within the confines of a formal studio setting, unveiling the resplendent contemporary Tuareg musicality, in which he played a pivotal role in delineating. The album’s cover art, a striking portrayal of Abdallah, is a fresh creation by the accomplished Nigerian-born illustrator Diana Ejaita, renowned for her talent, having contributed eight cover designs for the influential New Yorker magazine.
Born in a nomadic enclave in the Western Sahara, Oumbadougou developed his musical skill amidst the arid expanse, concurrently toiling as a miner during his formative years. His time in a Libyan military encampment marked the birth of the desert blues aesthetic, amalgamating Western guitar rock influences with traditional Tuareg melodic idioms. Notably, this encampment fostered enduring connections with the founding members of Tinariwen, establishing a lifelong camaraderie with Oumbadougou. His involvement in the Tuareg Rebellion during the 1990s across Niger and Mali further galvanized his musical endeavors, with his compositions assuming the mantle of a potent recruitment tool for insurgents and the oppressed, precipitating governmental scrutiny and censure.
The liner notes accompanying Amghar, by Andy Morgan, serve as an indispensable supplement for contextualizing these recordings. Morgan, an explorer of Sahel music for nearly two decades and a stint as Tinariwen’s manager, furnishes a profound historical backdrop elucidating Abdallah Oumadougou’s trajectory. Additionally, the lyrical translations are provided by the France-based Ishamar guitarist, Moussa Bilalan, in Tamashek, French, and English.
The enduring influence wielded by Oumbadougou, reverberating through the auditory tapestry of these tracks, epitomizes his unwavering commitment to chronicling the saga of his tribe. Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – Vol. 1 beckons both steadfast devotees and neophyte enthusiasts alike to partake in the celebration of his musical legacy, heralding a new epoch for the exploration and commemoration of his indelible imprint on Tuareg musical tradition.
Scheduled for release on March 1st, 2024.
Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – VOL. 1 track list:
- Tigrawahi Talgha
- Le Iwitian Ourgueza Gueakelen (unreleased)
- Iwouksane
- Imidiwan
- Nigsar Tenere
- He Ténéré (live)
- Illilagh Teneré (unreleased)
- Dague Oudouniya Zagzag Bass Tchilla
- Sarho Nawan (unreleased)
- Afrikya
- Tenertin Taranin Tenertine Ounour Nin
- Tabsiq Dalet (unreleased)
- Wirhin Titiwé Tchi Higren (unreleased)
- Afrikya (Live / unreleased)
Buy Amghar: The Godfather of Tuareg Music – Vol. 1.
Author: Douglas Sanders
