Today, 31 October, would have been Ali Farka Touré’s 80th birthday. Born at the beginning of World War II as the only surviving child of 10, having lost his father in 1940, Ali Ibrahim took on the nickname “Farka”, meaning “donkey”. This is a testament to his resilience, which built a remarkable musical career, though not without its pressures.
In fact, Ali Farka Touré forbade his son, Vieux Farka Touré from becoming a musician, owing to the pressures he faced. Instead, he wanted his son to join the military-- the same job he had taken before becoming a musician. Only near death from bone cancer did the father give his blessing.
Vieux Farka Touré (born 1981) is now a much-admired musician who continues the great legacy of Malian music in Africa and beyond. Ali Farka Touré’s 1994 album, Talking Timbuktu, in collaboration with Ry Cooder, won him a Grammy. Afterwards, he retreated to his beloved Niafunké to focus on farming!
Farka Touré, despite being unable to read or write, became mayor of Niafunké, using his earnings from music to improve sewerage, roads, and farming. This is a testament to his generosity, love, and patriotism. Though he was actually born in Kanau, Tombouctou Region, Touré is buried in his beloved Niafunké.
The highlights of this album include Ai Du (mournful blues), a sample of playing on what I believe is the njarka violin, Keito, and of course, Diaraby.