(February 2026) Episode 709 is ALI FARKA TOURÉ. A guitarist from Mali who in the 1990s became one of the most internationally successful artists from West Africa. Described as “the African John Lee Hooker” as for the resemblance in low, minimal, extended blues songs. Touré’s music blends Malian styles with African-American blues which of course can trace roots back to West Africa. He sings in a variety of languages. Most of all I admire his guitar skills with which, especially later in his career, he crafted mesmerizing textures.
Favorite album: Ali Farka Touré (1988)
Favorite song: Bonde
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: Ali Farka Touré and the double-packaged Red/Green album are good representations of his more traditional early style. In the Heart of the Moon and Ali and Toumani showcase the later mesmerizing style. Talking Timbuktu (with Ry Cooder) is a good in-between.
Opus Project 