In this episode… Writer, guitarist, and producer Banning Eyre offers an insightful overview of Malian music. The conversation touches upon the various “types” of Malian music- from Mande and Wassoulou of the south to the Tuareg and Sonrai music of the desert north, the connection between West African music and the American blues, the current state of Malian music, his experience studying guitar in Bamako with Djelimady Tounkara and his associated book, In Griot Time, as well as his work as lead producer for the Peabody Award-winning public radio program, Afropop Worldwide.
The episode mentions a number of Malian musicians of both the present and the past. While some do not have a significant web presence, the names of most of the musicians discussed are listed below, along with links to their music, additional information, etc.
Produced by Adam Klein
Recorded and engineered by Ben Holst of Tunewelders at 800 East, Atlanta, GA
Edited, mixed and mastered by Jon Trujillo at 800 East
Original music from the album Dugu Wolo by Lassine Kouyate
Resources:
In general order of “appearance” in this episode:
- Djelimady Tounkara- Wikipedia; YouTube
- Super Rail Band- Wikipedia; YouTube
- Toumani Diabaté- Beginner’s Guide to Toumani Diabate on Songlines
- Sidiki Diabaté- Facebook; YouTube; Toumani & Sidiki album on YouTube
- Bassekou Kouyate- website; Beginner’s Guide to Bassekou Kouyate on Songlines
- Fanta Damba- Wikipedia; YouTube
- Ami Koita- Wikipedia; YouTube
- Kanja Kouyate- Wikipedia; YouTube
- Kassa Mady Diabaté- website
- Salif Keita- website; Official Facebook Fan Page; YouTube
- Lobi Traoré- Wikipedia; YouTube
Wassoulou music:
- Oumou Sangaré- Profile on Songlines; YouTube
- Nahawa Doumbia- Bandcamp
- Sali Sidibe- YouTube; Tribute on Afropop.org
- Djénéba Diakité- YouTube
- Fatoumata Diawarra- website
Music of the North:
- Tinariwen- website; Profile on Songlines
- Bombino- website
- Ali Farka Touré- Wikipedia; Documentary short about Touré’s 1999 album, Niafunké; Documentary short on Ali Farka Touré and the making of his final album, Savane
- Songhoy Blues- website
- Khaira Arby- Wikipedia; Tribute on Afropop.org; Tiny Desk Concert; Live on KEXP
- Sidi Touré- Wikipedia; Thrill Jockey Records
Additional artists and links:
- Habib Koité- website
- Rokia Traore- website; YouTube; TED Talk
- Boubacar “Kar Kar” Traore- website
- Amadou & Mariam (significant contemporary Malian duo not mentioned in the episode)- website; Beginner’s Guide to Amadou & Mariam on Songlines
- Vieux Farka Touré (prominent musician and son of Ali Farka Touré; not mentioned in episode)- website
New York-based Malian and world acts featured:
- Timbila- website
- Mandingo Ambassadors- website
- Yacouba Sissoko- website
- Abdoulaye “Djoss” Diabaté- Wikipedia
- Voyagers- website
- Boubacar Diabaté aka “Badian”- performance video and interview with Banning featuring footage of his time living in Bamako
- Hip Deep in Mali: Growing Into Music in 21st century Bamako (January 2018 episode on the state of the current Malian music scene in the wake of the recent crises)
- Thomas Mapfumo- website; Lion Songs: Thomas Mapfumo and the Music that Made Zimbabwe