Classic Album

Ry Cooder

‘Talking Timbuktu’

Having long been admirers of each other’s music, Ry Cooder and Ali Farka Toure finally met in London in the summer of 1992. It was here that they agreed to combine their talents in order to record this truly exceptional album, ‘Talking Timbuktu’.

Ali Farka Toure heralds from West Africa and his music reflectsthe culture and musical heritage of this area, whilst Ry Cooder was bornand raised in the USA where he became famed for his mastership of the steel guitar.

Although he has recorded many albums of his own, Ry Cooder he is also known for the inspirational sound tracks that he composed for numerous films and movies, ‘Paris Texas’ being one such film. More recently he has collaborated with other artists including blues musician John Lee Hooker, Indian sitjar player UM Bhatt, and Cuban musician Manuel Galban.

Ali Farka Toure demonstrates a similar musical versatility. He sings in eleven languages and plays electric guitar, six string banjo, acoustic guitar, and a native instrument called njarka. On this album, Ry Cooder plays cumbus, electric- mando-guitar, acoustic guitar, electric slide guitar, njarka, tamboura, bass guitar, marimba, and also the accordion. Other backing musicians make contributions on congas, calabash, and drums.

his is truly cosmopolitan album that offers a rich cultural mix and possesses a distinct African flavour. It is most certainly an album with a difference!/TE