Re: Hooker's sound

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In Reply to: Hooker's sound posted by LWR on May 1, 2006 at 09:57:17:

I was curious about the comparison after reading this awhile back in All Music Gude:
Biography by Richie Unterberger
"One of the most internationally successful West African musicians of the '90s, Ali Farka Toure was described as "the African John Lee Hooker" so many times that it probably began to grate on both Toure's and Hooker's nerves. There is a lot of truth to the comparison, however, and it isn't exactly an insult. The guitarist, who also played other instruments such as calabash and bongos, shared with Hooker (and similar American bluesmen like Lightnin' Hopkins) a predilection for low-pitched vocals and midtempo, foot-stomping rhythms, often playing with minimal accompaniment.
Toure's delivery was less abrasive than Hooker's, and the general tone of his material somewhat sweeter. Widespread success on the order of Hooker was somewhat elusive, though, as Toure sang in several languages, and only occasionally in English. As he once told Option, his are songs "about education, work, love, and society." If he and Hooker sounded quite similar, it's probably not by conscious design, but due to the fact that both drew inspiration from African rhythmic and musical traditions that extend back many generations."

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - African star Ali Farka Toure dies - LWR 20:17:26 04/30/06 (10)

That's sad. I like some African music. I think I started - audiogatorjim 19:26:53 05/03/06 (0)

That's FARKIN' sad! - CQ DX 13:27:45 05/01/06 (3)

That wasn't funny or witty LAST time, either....N/T - musetap 22:46:14 05/01/06 (2)

Well... - CQ DX 08:55:18 05/02/06 (1)

Now, that was REALLY funny, you brilliant wit, you...N/T - musetap 10:59:57 05/02/06 (0)

Toure and Hooker - OvenBun 08:54:44 05/01/06 (3)

Hooker's sound - LWR 09:57:17 05/01/06 (2)

Re: Hooker's sound - OvenBun 13:29:14 05/01/06 (1)

Exactly - LWR 13:49:19 05/01/06 (0)

His legacy - LWR 20:24:47 04/30/06 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Hooker's sound - OvenBun 13:29:14 05/01/06 (1)

Exactly - LWR 13:49:19 05/01/06 (0)

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