Official Luthiers Forum!

Great show last night at The Haunt here in Ithaca - Viex Farka Toure, son of the late great Ali Farka Toure. What a treat to see him on his first North American tour, and in a small club with a great dance floor no less. The place was hoppin'. Great guitar playing!

Gambian kora player Malang Diabate and guitarist Nate Silas Richardson of John Brown's Body opened the show.

In the crowd were the great avant garde cellist (former bandmate of Bill Frisell) Hank Roberts, who makes his home here, and the great tenor guitar and five-string banjo player Richie Stearns, of The Horse Flies and Natalie Merchant's band, who is a native of this area.

Ya shoulda been there!

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I remember starting a thread when the great Ali Farka Toure died last year, still one of my top five guitar players, there are some truly wonderful musicians in 'World music', which we in the arrogant West tend to ignore.

What was Viex like compared to his Dad? I heard Ali play a few times, but I don't know his son's playing at all, have to get his CD. The more of the World music I listen to the more I get fed up with the current generation of "Aren't I a great fingerpicker, look I can get a tune by hitting the guitar" western players. Boy I'm becoming a grumpy old man.

Thanks for this Todd.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=Colin S]

What was Viex like compared to his Dad?

[/QUOTE]

In a nutshell, very similar, but not as mature - less subtle and somehow not as deep, if you know what I mean. More youthful and rockin', showing more diverse influences from various contemporary popular musics, but still quite firmly rooted in what Ali was doing and carrying that torch admirably. Very energetic - great to dance to.

I got his debut CD at the gig. Haven't had a chance to give it a real good listening yet, but it sounds great. Definitely recommended.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I just ordered the CD from Amazon, should get it on Wednesday.

Have your heard Tinariwen? Arab voices, African rythms and blues guitar! They are a bunch of Toureg musicians from the rebel group fighting for independence from Mali, well worth listening to.

Seems like it's only you and I that like world music.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.