In Griot Time: String Music From Mali

Amazon.com
Banning Eyre, the American producer of this stunning compilation, is a true musical wayfarer. He is a noted journalist and one of the few non-African guitarists able to successfully inhabit traditions such as Congolese soukous and, on this set, notoriously demanding Malian picking styles. For seven months in 1995 and 1996, Eyre lived and studied with the Rail Band's revered lead guitarist, Djelimady Tounkara, in Bamako, Mali. The album consists of Eyre's field recordings, tapes of his lessons with Tounkara, plus well-chosen tracks featuring guitarists such as Habib Koite and Lobi Traore. There are also tunes spotlighting the kora (West African harp), ngoni (a banjolike instrument), and doso ngoni (hunters' harp). The music travels from grittily urban to countrified sounds, but it all has the hot, dusty majesty peculiar to Malian music. The CD is best appreciated along with its eponymous accompanying book (from Temple University Press), which is an extraordinary document. --Christina Roden

In Griot Time: String Music From Mali,Various Artists,Stern's Africa,African Folk,Afro-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Mali,Pop

Average customer rating: Malian Music from the roots to the Soul Excellent Collection Thank you sublime, sensational and masterfully compiled

In Griot Time: String Music From Mali Various Artists Manufacturer: Stern's Africa ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Mali | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: In Griot Time: An American Guitarist in Mali Three Kilos of Coffee: An Autobiography Guitar Atlas: Africa Sound of Africa: Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio In the Heart of the Moon ASIN: B00004UB2Q Release Date: 2000-07-18

Tracks:

1. Sunjata - Djelimady Tounkara
2. Silanide - Super Rail Band
3. Jeliya - Yayi Kanoute
4. Kouyate/Diaoura - Adama Tounkara, Djelimady Tounkara
5. Doninke - Kandia Kouyate
6. Grayere Nafun - Lobi Traor
7. Maby Djoudon Don - Lobi Traor
8. Diguisse - Djelimady Tounkara,
9. Hunter's Festival - Sibiri Samake
10. Dugu Kamelemba - Oumou Sangare
11. Musee - Sali Sidibe
12. Toubaka - Djelimady Tounkara
13. Tekere - Salif Keita
14. Sema - Toumani Diabat
15. Lanaya - Banning Eyre, Djelimady Tounkara, , Dirck Westervelt
16. Nanale (The Swallow) - Habib Koit
17. Allah Uya - Ali Farka Tour
18. Kedo - Djelimady Tounkara,
19. Wild Goose Chase - Bassekou Kouyate, Dirck Westervelt

Amazon.com

Banning Eyre, the American producer of this stunning compilation, is a true musical wayfarer. He is a noted journalist and one of the few non-African guitarists able to successfully inhabit traditions such as Congolese soukous and, on this set, notoriously demanding Malian picking styles. For seven months in 1995 and 1996, Eyre lived and studied with the Rail Band's revered lead guitarist, Djelimady Tounkara, in Bamako, Mali. The album consists of Eyre's field recordings, tapes of his lessons with Tounkara, plus well-chosen tracks featuring guitarists such as Habib Koite and Lobi Traore. There are also tunes spotlighting the kora (West African harp), ngoni (a banjolike instrument), and doso ngoni (hunters' harp). The music travels from grittily urban to countrified sounds, but it all has the hot, dusty majesty peculiar to Malian music. The CD is best appreciated along with its eponymous accompanying book (from Temple University Press), which is an extraordinary document. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Malian Music from the roots to the Soul.......2003-10-07

I just got this cd from my local shop and I'm hooked from first talking "interlude" track to the "wild Goose Chase" at the end. The music is very rooty with Sali Sidibe(one of the best), Oumou Sangare, Yayi Kaunote giving this cd a true traditional feel. Kandia Kouyate's "Donike"(which means achieve something in life) stand out from the rest amongst the divas, her voice is distinctive U could say she is Salif Keita's Mom metarphorically speaking. Salif Keita is also featured here with "Tekere" & he never fails to impress. The main man, Djelimady Tounkara is superb even though here he plays many but very short songs.I'm taken by "Kedo" track very soulful the way he plays with his brother,Solo. Of course Habib Koite is amazing his guitar play is quick with an African rhythm & vocals.Ali Farka Toure, now this is veteran guitarist on "Allah Uya" translated "God is Unique".Toumane Diabate's kora playing on "Sema" is unforgettable. I have become familiar to some instruments like kora, ngoni, balafone & these form a beautiful music when blended well with western instruments.Lobi Traore's two tracks are very good especially"Maby Djoudon Don"(Live)-Listen to the guitar here (reminds me of Santana or Los Lobos).The Rail Band provide a superb track"Silanide" with Djelimady Tounkara very visible on the strings & wonderful vocals. What impreses me most here is(1) the quality of the sound, is the best considering that some tracks were recorded in compounds with tapes.Listen to "Lanaya" U can hear the rumble of the car outside the studio, What ever Banning Eyre used to record must have been very powerful to capture a sound like that.(2)the quality of the music with skillful artists collection.(3)Little translation on the tracks to allow the listener to relate to music.Of course if U want more,Buy the Book "In Griot Time....."(4)Photos of artists (5)Assisted me to know more of other Malian artists (6)& a whole lot more...words can never be enough to praise this best collection. It's like U are in Mali when U listen to this music.I wish I could visit this musically rich country. This cd is worth 5 stars & more believe me take it from a South African.

Excellent Collection.......2003-01-19

I'd like to thank Eyre for the work put in this excellent collecion of some of the most beautiful pieces of music from Mali. Demonstrates his superb taste. The inclusion of the Wild Goose Chase at the end is especially touching. My Malian friend, who has just recently arrived in the United States, loves this collection as well. Thank you for letting us enjoy this music.

Thank you.......2003-01-06

Thank you Djelimady. And thank you Banning. My kind of guys.

sublime, sensational and masterfully compiled.......2000-09-23

Indisputably a lesson in how to create a "companion cd to a published book" without engaging in arcaneness and academic piffle. This generous and lovingly selected collection stands as a superb listening experience on its own merits. Eyre's calling may be in A&R !

Average customer rating:

In Griot Time: String Music From Mali Various Artists Manufacturer: Stern's Africa ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Mali | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005YMSJ Release Date: 2000-09-19

Tracks:

1. Sunjata - Djelimady Tounkara
2. Silanide - Super Rail Band
3. Jeliya - Yayi Kanoute
4. Kouyate/Diaoura - Adama Tounkara, Djelimady Tounkara
5. Doninke - Kandia Kouyate
6. Grayere Nafun - Lobi Traor
7. Maby Djoudon Don - Lobi Traor
8. Diguisse - Djelimady Tounkara,
9. Hunter's Festival - Sibiri Samake
10. Dugu Kamelemba - Oumou Sangare
11. Musee - Sali Sidibe
12. Toubaka - Djelimady Tounkara
13. Tekere - Salif Keita
14. Sema - Toumani Diabat
15. Lanaya - Banning Eyre, Djelimady Tounkara, , Dirck Westervelt
16. Nanale (The Swallow) - Habib Koit
17. Allah Uya - Ali Farka Tour
18. Kedo - Djelimady Tounkara,
19. Wild Goose Chase - Bassekou Kouyate, Dirck Westervelt

Pop Music:

1. Into Eternity [Import]
2. Io Tu E Le Rose E Altri Successi [Import]
3. Japanese Bon Dance [Import]
4. Joyas de la Musica, Vol. 1-2
5. Kannana Fever [Import]
6. Kimi No Uta [Import]
7. Lambrusco Coltelli Rose E Popcorn [Import]
8. Les Grands Succes [Import]
9. Los Angeles, CA 5-16-04
10. Luzes Da Mesma Luz [Import]

Pop Music