From Amazon.com
I've always said....
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: ...that it was healthy to occasionally listen to something totally different to your normal genres. Having first heard of Toumani Diabate when he met Michael Palin on the latters Pole to Pole journey all those years ago I was struck by the very different style and nature of the music. Fast forward most of 15 years years later and I finally scored myself a copy of one of his CD's.
The rear cover states that this album was recorded by Toumani live in the studio with no double tracking and with no other kora - his musical weapon of choice - as accompaniment. And given that it was recorded back in 1987 it sounds remarkably fresh and precise, though when you only have to record one instrument I guess that helps! What came across to me so strongly as I listened to this album over a period of several months was how many different melodies Toumani seemed to be playing at once and I suppose that speaks not only of his own musical talent but also of the very nature of the kora instrument itself.
As the album unfolded I found myself not really being able to pick a favourite track amongst the five presented here such is the way it all seems to meld together. There are times when that would be a problem however that is not the case here, rather the album feels like something you really do listen to the whole way through rather than cherry pick your favourite numbers.
The liner notes are brief though informative while this sort of music isn't likely to make great inroads into my wallet I'm glad I picked this up and may indeed acquire some more music of this type over the coming years.
Amazing sounds
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Toumani Diabate produces amazing sounds and intriguing melodies with this very simple looking instrument. Though there are only 8 songs on this CD, each has a distinct style and feel that draw the listener in and keep them entertained.
extremely talented musician and composer
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: All instrumental, solo music by an incredibly talented and unique Kora player. The Kora is a West African stringed instrument which has also been called the lute-harp (by those who need a point of reference). You really have to hear it to believe and appreciate it. I'm an accomplished acoustic and electric guitar player, heavily influenced by a wide variety of classical misic. For long lasting, non-intrusive listenability, I highly recommend this, especially for musicians of stringed instruments, including of course the piano. The melodic and rhytmic counterpoint is phenomenal and unique. I get drawn into it similar to the way that Mozart's Nachtmusik or Vivaldi's Four Seasons do, it's meditative. His later album is very similar, the Mande Variations. I bought them both at the same time. Make no mistake: this is very fine art.
beautiful musical composition!
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: perfect for relaxation... I love playing it in the morning while making breakfast... it brings me a sence of peacefulness and cheers me up at the same time.
Sublime
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Another great album by Toumani Diabate. If you are interested in getting a first album then you might try "New Ancient Strings" but I would recommend anything by this artist, including his hand-picked compilation "Boulevard de l'Independance." Enjoy!
Purchases
1 Alla l'Aa Ke
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