Rebels on the Road
Tinariwen and Vieux Farka Toure kick off a month-long North American tour in Aspen tomorrow night. Their stop in Boulder has the potential to be the concert of the year for the Front Range (though DJ Krush in Denver was pretty good too).The legend of Tinariwen grows with each passing year and every solid record they put out (they're up to three now). The desert rock music of this Tuareg rebel guitar band provided the soundtrack to a rebellion--an uprising that ultimately gained the Tuaregs repatriation to their native northern Mali, and restoration (partial, at least) of their property rights by the Malian government. With guitars instead of guns, Tinariwen are the musical rallying point for an embattled culture.
Vieux Farka Toure continues blazing the path begun by his father, the late Ali Farka, whose West African blues guitar brought the desert to the Delta. Bearing that trademark Toure universal sound, Vieux brings a new voice to Africa's musical conversation with the world.Here's a track from Tinariwen for you to consider, from their latest release, Aman Iman.
Tinariwen - "Toumast"
Here's a track from the Vieux Farka Toure remix record, UFOs Over Bamako:
Vieux Farka Toure - "Wosoubour" (eccodek remix)
Here are tour dates for Tinariwen and, on several dates, Vieux Farka Toure. Please go out and support--and enjoy--this music.
