Having come across the news on the BBC News website - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4782176.stm - that he has passed away, I am moved to put in writing a tribute to one of the world's greatest guitarists. Having only gotten into Toure in the past year or so, I was bewildered by his ability, by the stories he told in his songs, by his connection to his homeland, and by his all-round genius.
If you want to check out any of his stuff, I'd wholeheartedly recommend his solo album 'Niafunke' (a wonderful collection named after his home town), and his album of mainly instrumental duets with Toumani Diabate, 'In the Heart of the Moon' (almost all single-take recordings and one of the best albums of 2005).
If you want to check out any of his stuff, I'd wholeheartedly recommend his solo album 'Niafunke' (a wonderful collection named after his home town), and his album of mainly instrumental duets with Toumani Diabate, 'In the Heart of the Moon' (almost all single-take recordings and one of the best albums of 2005).