Barnes & Noble

Does a more remarkable concert document exist? Mali's Festival of the Desert, held in January of 2003 at the oasis of Essakane in the southern Sahara would have to take the prize. Over four days and three nights, more than 2000 Touareg tribesmen gathered in their annual convocation -- a market, a political summit, and ceremonial hoe-down. The difference was that, in 2003, for the third time in history, the Touareg, or Tamashek, as they call themselves, invited friends from around the world (this reviewer was one of the lucky few) and a flock of musicians from Mali and beyond. Towed hundreds of miles overland, the stage hosted dozens of musicians, from local legends to international superstars -- including Led Zeppelin's captain, Robert Plant. Twenty of them made the cut to CD, and fans of African music will be amazed by the vibrant traditions and pop innovations within. The music of the exotically robed Tamashek, represented by the electric boogie of Tinariwen and the rootsy percussive clatter of Tartit, is sheer Sheltering Sky ambience, windswept Islamic-influenced funk, heavy on percussion and guitars. From Niger and Mauritania came other Tamashek groups: the psychedelic Moorish guitar innovator Sedoum Ehl Aida and the exuberant stomp of Tidawt, each with their own spin on the camel-trot rhythms. Significantly, groups from southern Mali, such as the Wassoulou star Oumou Sangaré and her astonishing guitarist Baba Salah, trekked to the desert wastes in a show of solidarity with their Tamashek countrymen -- who only ten years before were involved in bloody civil war. Then there were the guests, France's Lo' Jo and Native Americans Blackfire among them, who dazzled the Africans as much as Ali Farka Touré captivated the westerners. Perhaps the biggest draw for casual music fans will be Plant's mesmerizing blues, "Win My Train Fare Home," which -- thanks to guitarist Justin Adams and members of Lo' Jo -- bridges Malian guitar blues and its Mississippi Delta cousin, throwing in a little Moroccan perfume and Tamashek groove. It might as well have been the festival anthem. For an unforgettable glimpse at a once-in-a-lifetime event, slip this disc in, roast up a goat, and watch the stars unfold above you. Mark Schwartz

All Movie Guide

This program captures the third annual Festival in the Desert, filmed in 2003. This event brought together musicians of the Touareg people, as well as musicians from around the world and this program presents their performances. Oumou Sangaré and Blackfire are among the performers and the program also includes material about the organizing of the event. Cammila Albertson

New York Times

Genuinely great; there are a few pre-eminent Malian musicians like Oumou Sangare, Afel Bocum and Ali Farka Toure, as well as a few names you won't know.

Product Details

• UPC: 713746802097
• Source: WORLD VILLAGE USA
• Region Code: 0
• Presentation: B&W, Letterbox
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Language: Français
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:04:00
• Sales Rank: 58,994

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