New Toumani Diabate Release - The Mandé Variations

Very high on my list - how does it compare with "Kaira"?

Hi droodzilla

It compares very well, & Kaira is one of my all time favourite records!

I'm sure you know The Mandé Variations Toumanis' 1st solo release since Kaira.

Ts style has developed wonderfully,
& WCs "Superbly recorded" patter isn't unfounded.

If you enjoyed Kaira I'm sure you love this.

Thanks for heads up on this. I've greatly enjoyed Boulevard de l'Independence so look forward to this new one, before exploring the back catalogue.

You are in for a treat JWM!

Apart from Kaira (& if you haven't already heard of these) my favourites are ...

Songhai - Toumani with Ketama (Spanish Flamenco ensemble) & Danny Thompson (UK Bass)



In the Heart of the Moon Toumani & Ali Farka Toure




There's lots more of TDs records out there, & I haven't disliked any of them.

Check this month's edition of The Word for an interview with TD.

Jono

Thanks for that Jono - I've just ordered the issue

It is a very lovely thing indeed, got mine Friday and it soothed my weekend. Check out 'New Ancient Strings' if you like this.

Bruce

It's a really super record. I'm not so keen on the Symmetric Orchestra album, but all the others mentioned are top notch. Great references to the Good, the bad and the ugly on the final track too.

Nigel

Just orderd the Mande Variations from Play.

Looking forward to getting it for the weekend.

Jono

For a more leftfield Toumani record there's always the collaberation with the free jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd




One of my most treasured CDs

Was about to order this as my March CD but found that my wife has ordered it as 1 of 3 that replace my traditional Easter egg binge! Having heard 1 track on The Word CD I am very much looking forward to this.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by 555:

What a BEAUTIFUL record! Thanks for drawing our attention to it.

James

Here is a little sideways step. Give a listen to James Blackshaw: The Cloud of Unknowing.

Not sure how to describe it; modern solo acoustic classical perhaps. Some sections have a distinctly Raga-like feel that compares with the more Eastern sounding tracks on the Mande album. I listened to these two in sequence last night.

Bruce

Got it and it really is excellent. On repeat play at present. Almost classical in scope and works as both background and foreground. Spellbinding if you turn the volume up.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
It is a very lovely thing indeed, got mine Friday and it soothed my weekend. Check out 'New Ancient Strings' if you like this.

Bruce

Ballake Sissoko plays with Toumani on this one. Ballake's records are also fantastic.

There's a lovely video produced to promote the latest album here:

Mande Variations

I especially like his demonstration of the three parts to any piece of cora music.

I'm trying to find details of any UK dates he's playing this year. His MySpace page lists RNCM on 3rd May, but the RNCM website has no info. It would be great to see him again - his performance at WOMAD in the 80s is one of my very fondest memories of live music.

Nigel

Thanks for the link Nigel.

I saw T many times in the 1980s, inc' some WOMADs,
& he was absolutely brilliant.

Very rare for T to play solo, so don't hesitate if you want to catch him live.

Here's Ts UK dates ...

Solo UK Dates

2nd May London - St Lukes

3rd May Manchester - Royal Northern College of Music

4th May Gateshead - The Sage

6th May Bristol - St Georges

7th May Dartington - Great hall

Bjork feat' Toumani Diabate

14th + 17th + 20th April London - Hammersmith Apollo

Good luck to anyone trying to get tickets for these!

Euro Dates on Worldcircuit.

Toumani Diabate is on this weeks 'Later Live ...' tonight 10:00pm - 10:30pm BBC2.

The longer repeat show is on Friday 18 April 11:35pm -12:35am BBC2.

555

You beat me to it:

"Jools Holland presents old and new music live from BBC Television Centre. Portishead, back after over a decade away, return to the studio to perform tracks from their new album Third. Brooklyn's Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings pop into the studio to play songs from their 100 Days, 100 Nights and The Last Shadow Puppets perform with a 12-string orchestra. Plus Toumani Diabate, singer songwriter Phil Campbell and Devotchka."

Jono

Thanks for the tour dates and TV tip-off, 555. My bind is that I'm seeing Bjork in Sheffield 0n 4th May, and fear my head will explode from an overload of musical excellence if I attempt to see TD in Manchester on the 3rd. If only they were on the same bill - what a show that would be!

Regards
Nigel

I live in the middle of f**king nowhere;
perhaps I'm feeling a little jealous Nigel, trying to manage my anger, mmm ...



You poor thing Nigel!

Sorry!
Nigel