Desert blues (tishoumaren, Tuareg rock)

adidasss · 08-26-2021, 04:39 AM

I know there are fans here, but to my knowledge, no dedicated thread.

For those not in the know:

Quote:

Tishoumaren (ⵜⵉⵛⵓⵎⴰⵔⴻⵏ in Neo-Tifinagh script) or assouf,[1] internationally known as desert blues, is a style of music from the Sahara region of northern and west Africa. Critics describe the music as a fusion of blues and rock music with Tuareg, Malian or North African music.[2] Various other terms are used to describe it[1] including desert rock, Saharan rock,[3] Takamba,[2] Mali blues,[4] Tuareg rock[5] or simply "guitar music".[6] The style has been pioneered by Tuareg musicians in the Sahara region, particularly in Mali, Niger, Libya, Western Sahara, Algeria, Burkina Faso and others.[7]

Just getting into it a little bit more recently. Some favorites:

Mdou Moctar - "Afrique Victime"

Bombino - Imuhar

Normally they don't seem to be very strong vocally, but dang, they can play them guitars.

Lisnaholic · 08-26-2021, 05:26 AM

I just love the sound of this genre, adidasss, and it certainly deserves its own thread.

Here's an old thread that looks at the first two albums by Grupo Bombino:- https://www.musicbanter.com/country-...-agadez-2.html

adidasss · 08-26-2021, 05:59 AM

Thanks for the link Lisna, interesting thoughts there on Nomad. I actually quite like it but it's the only release by him I've heard so can't compare. Will have to give the previous albums a listen.

rubber soul · 08-26-2021, 06:42 AM

Cool sounds, addidasss.

Psy-Fi · 08-26-2021, 07:12 AM

Spoiler for My top 3 favorites in the genre:

adidasss · 08-26-2021, 08:08 AM

Thanks psy, will check those out.

**Exo** · 08-26-2021, 10:45 AM

Tinariwen has always been my favorite.

Three albums to check out are Elwan, Emmaar, and Aman Iman: Water Is Life

Tristan_Geoff · 08-26-2021, 01:37 PM

I like bands that take influence from the sound as well like Goat and Horse Lord

But I’m on my phone so no yourube 4 u

Lisnaholic · 08-27-2021, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

Mdou Moctar - "Afrique Victime"

I really liked this track, adidasss, with its prominant guitar. My only criticism is that it faded out while it was still going strong.

Tamikrest are another band with plenty of long guitar fills; I think they use more wah-wah pedal than most Desert Blues bands. Whatever it is, they have something that makes them stand out from the crowd imo. Here's a pretty representative track from a great album of theirs: Toumastin:-

Lisnaholic · 08-27-2021, 07:09 AM

Your clip of Bombino playing outdoors was very good,adidasss, but it's rather artfully posed, isn't it? So this old post from djsupermazembe wins in terms of authenticity about how Desert Blues is manufactured. First thing to do is choose the right wallpaper and find a row of women to be your cheerleaders....

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsupermazembe

Yes, this desert-blues scene is awesome! One of my favourites of the scene is Group Inarene, from Niger. I love the screaming sound that the ladies are making in this video:

08-26-2021, 05:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	I just love the sound of this genre, adidasss, and it certainly deserves its own thread. Here's an old thread that looks at the first two albums by Grupo Bombino:- https://www.musicbanter.com/country-...-agadez-2.html __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

08-26-2021, 05:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Thanks for the link Lisna, interesting thoughts there on Nomad. I actually quite like it but it's the only release by him I've heard so can't compare. Will have to give the previous albums a listen. __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

08-26-2021, 08:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Thanks psy, will check those out. __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

08-26-2021, 10:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
Exo All day jazz and biscuits Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,359	Tinariwen has always been my favorite. Three albums to check out are Elwan, Emmaar, and Aman Iman: Water Is Life __________________ LastFM SUPREME POO BAH MODERATOR EXTRAORDINAIRE