Search - Toumani Diabate :: Mande Variations

Wonderful wonderful

P. King | Bay Area, CA | 03/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Toumani Diabate with Bela Fleck live last night at Yoshi's in Oakland, California. I had never heard of Toumani or the kora, so I was really only excited to see Bela Fleck. I was completely and totally blown away by Diabate's performance, both solo and with Bela. Just totally blown away. He described the kora as a harp lute - it has 21 strings between a large body and a 4' long neck, and is played with only 4 fingers (two on each hand). Its a majestic looking instrument, and yet it still took me by surprise with how beautiful and complex his playing was.



He played two of the songs from this album live / solo, and they were shockingly good. The reproduction on the album is basically just as good - well mic'd and clear. The songs are complicated and energetic, yet very relaxing to listen to. I can't recommend it highly enough. I'm off to purchase his Grammy winning "In The Heart of the Moon" now."

Kora Master

Walter L. Gasper | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | 02/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About 20 years ago I saw and heard Toumani Diabate live at the Freight and Salvage venue in Berkeley. I was first in line and sat in the center of the first row, no more than 6 feet from the Kora as he played. That was an unforgettable experience. My favorite CD of his is SONGHAI with Ketama and Danny Thompson. The last song on SONGHAI, Ne Ne Kiota is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. I have an old LP of his father, Sidiki Diabate, the kora master of his time. Think I'll listen to that now. IGNORE THE PREVIOUS ONE STAR REVIEWER, CONSIDER THE SOURCE."

Inventive, soothing

Curious Skeptic | New York CIty | 08/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is wonderful music; Toumani Diabate take creative steps with a traditional instrument and turns out a gem of a disc. Pleasant but compelling."