Ali “Farka "Toure Albums and History

Ali "Farka" Touré is among only a handful of African folk musicians who have found an audience for their music beyond the borders of the African continent. Toure’s involvement with American guitarist and musicologist Ry Cooder in the Nineties brought him to the attention of North American roots music listeners. Toure would eventually become known as the “Bluesman of Africa.”

Toure was born in Kanau, Mali, in 1939. As a youth, Toure was introduced to African-American music, including soul from the likes of Ray Charles and Otis Redding and the Delta blues. Touré wrote music and performed for a group called Troupe 117, which was organized by the Malian government following the country’s establishment of independence.

In 1968, Toure appeared in a performance in Sofia, Bulgaria, his first such appearance outside of Africa. By the Seventies, Toure was performing on Radio Mali, and the Sonafric label recruited him to record several albums during the decade.

In 1995, Toure recorded the brilliant “Talking Timbuktu” with Ry Cooder and embarked on a world tour. For his next album, “Niafunké” (1999), Touré’s producer needed to install remote recording equipment near Touré’s farm, as the performer refused to leave his rice fields unattended to make recordings.

During his career endeavours, Touré had always sought out the security and familiarity of his hometown. In recognition of his unwavering loyalty, he was elected mayor of Niafunké in 2004.

Toure passed away in 2006 at the age of sixty-six.

Other fine albums by Touré include "Ali Farka Touré" (1984), "Ali Farka Toure" (1988), "The Source" (1991), and "Savane" (2006).

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