"I've owned the CD for nine years, and it has always stayed close to me. This is to my mind the best album available of Toure's music. As stated in the editorial review, it is bare bones acoustic. Ali's voice and guitar cut straight to the soul. He is accompanied by sparse but tasteful percussion.I recommend this above the Talking Timbuktu album. It is a classic that belongs in every collection."
You should buy this..
Strudel Doodle | 01/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have all of AFT's CD's that I have been able to find, this is probably my favorite. Great stripped down, bluesy feel. Somewhat reminiscint of country blues, with a twist."
Timeless Classic
Benjamin de Menil | New York, NY USA | 12/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've 0wned this album for years and I never tire of it. Subtle and beautifull - my favorite of Ali's international releases."
Very pleasing music
Culturally curious | Tallahassee, FL | 11/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After listening to the Amazon snippets, I couldn't decide whether to buy this CD or the one with Ry Cooder, so I got both and I'm glad I did; they are very different and both worth having. The Ry Cooder album is like a world-class act performed onstage. This one is like a bar in west Africa with a few musicians making good music for a small crowd of appreciative listeners. Toure is great on the guitar and the drums are really good. If you like world music, you will find interesting rhythms on slightly unfamiliar-sounding instruments, and a singing style I find often in African music--more highly pitched than western singers mostly, similar to a chant sometime but not so drawn out and more interesting to listen to. Too bad I don't understand the words! Comparisons to John Lee Hooker are over-emphasized. Toure sometimes uses a similar type of dragging rhythm, but Toure has many rhythms in his lexicon. Try it, you'll like it."