Vieux Farka Touré’s latest album was recorded as an homage to his homeland. Being that his native Mali has been splintered by territorial fighting between Tuareg and Islamic rebels since January 2012, his new album, Mon Pays (My Country), is devoted to reminding the world about the beauty and culture of his homeland. The album is out on May 28, 2013 on Six Degrees Records with an extensive North American tour starting in June.
‘For me it is a statement for the world that this land is for the sons and daughters of Mali, not for Al Qaeda or any militants. This land is for peace and beauty, rich culture and tolerance.This is our heritage, what we must always fight to protect in any way that we can. For me, that means making music that reminds the world of who we are.’
Translating as ‘My Country,’ this predominantly acoustic undertaking had been planned before the invasions began. Inspired by his work with Israeli pianist and vocalist Idan Raichel, Touré initially went into a Bamako studio to honor the acoustic blues tradition of Northern and Southern Mali. Since that time, Mon Pays transformed into an artifact of cultural preservation.
Two songs on the project -Future’ and ‘Peace’ feature Sidiki Diabate’s kora leading an emotional charge complemented by Touré’s spectacular guitar work. Both tracks represent an important generational “passing of the torch” as Sidiki’s father, Toumani is considered one of the greatest living kora masters and was a close friend of Vieux’s father Ali. Their two records together, In the Heart of the Moon and Ali and Toumani, were awarded Grammies. At the 2011 ceremonies, Vieux accepted the prestigious award for his father, who had recently passed from bone cancer.
Tour Dates:
- Jun 15, 2013: Marquette Park (Takin’ It to the Streets Festival), Chicago, IL
- Jun 16, 2013: Croton Point Park (Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival Festival), Croton-on-Hudson, NY
- Jun 19, 2013: The Dirty Bourbon, Albuquerque, NM
- Jun 20, 2013: Arroyo Seco Live, Arroyo Seco, NM
- Jun 21, 2013: eTown Hall, Boulder, CO
- Jun 23, 2013: Performance Works (Vancouver International Jazz Festival), Vancouver, BC Canada
- Jun 24, 2013: Sugar Nightclub, Victoria, BC Canada
- Jun 25 & 26, 2013: Dimitrious Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA
- Jun 27, 2013: The Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA
- Jun 28, 2013: Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR
- Jul 1, 2013: Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Jul 3, 2013: Club Soda (Montreal Jazz Festival), Montreal, QC Canada
- Jul 5, 2013: Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
- Jul 6, 2013: Higher Ground, Burlington, VT
- Jul 7, 2013: DG’s Tap House, Ames, IA
- Jul 9, 2013: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Jul 10, 2013: Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA
- Jul 11, 2013: La Fete de Marquette, Madison, WI
- Jul 13, 2013: Yoshis, San Francisco, CA
- Jul 14, 2013: California WorldFest, Grass Valley, CA
- Aug 2 & 3, 2013: Pickathon, Happy Valley, OR
- Aug 4, 2013: Challenger Golf Course (Crestone Music Festival), Crestone, CO
- Aug 6, 2013: Walnut Room, Denver, CO
- Aug 7, 2013: JAS Cafe Downstairs at the Nell, Aspen, CO
- Aug 9, 2013: Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton, AB Canada
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