The Secret by Vieux Farka Toure
LABEL: Six Degrees

Vieux Farka Toure was recently dubbed the North African Jimi Hendrix by the LA Times and I would concur that there is definitely something deeply captivating here. Not coincidentally, he has followed in the footsteps of his father, Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure with whom he collaborates towards the end of the album (the history of father and son is itself an intriguing story). Other notable collaborators on this wonderful album include Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, John Scofield, and Ivan Neville.

If you take elements from many of great guitarists in history, mix them up with blues, rock and reggae influences, and add soothing singing, mellow drums and an ebb and flow that keep a fluid movement going throughout the album, you’ve got a glint of Toure’s LP, The Secret. 

Toure’s guitar is crisp and complex without becoming overbearing throughout the album. Listening to the various riffs and tangents the guitar produces is a treat in itself. The eddies created by the complement of chanting, singing, rhythmic drumming and electric guitar roll throughout the songs in the album, making you dance and sway whether you want to or not. These components pair well with the wide range of instruments that join in throughout the album.

The Secret has a psychedelic feel to it. “Gido” feels as if you’re riding through a Spanish countryside, cultivating a plan to win back a lost love—a plodding cadence, with flurries of eloquent guitar as well as beautiful harmonization are layered over sophisticated solos. “All the Same” is the ballad of the album, and has a classic rock feel to it. The lyrics, “When you look at them they’re all the same/smiles and promises” and “they don’t want you/they want what you’ve got,” are likely to have you shaking your head in agreement. “Amana Quai” follows in the footsteps of “All the Same,” with poignant singing and the addition of strong guitar moments that fade into steady continuous riffing over smooth staccato drums.

Overall, The Secret is an album that flows from start to finish, and is good to play while you’re doing anything at home or in the car that won’t distract you from moving right along to the music. It’s easy to get lost in a trance—like a desert wanderer stumbling into a colorful hallucinatory world that calls you in and won’t let you leave.


REVIEWED BY KYRSTEN BEAN
KYRSTEN’S FAVORITE TRACKS: “The Secret” • “All The Same” • “Gido”
Kyrsten Bean is a freelance writer, a musician and a photographer.

FREE MP3: “Aigna”

+ Check out Groovemine’s review of Fondo by Vieux Farka Toure