Room With A Vieux

Last Friday night found me at Troxy in London's lively Limehouse being blown away by the mighty Vieux Farka Touré and his band.

Vieux is very much the son of his father Ali, both master guitarists in the desert blues tradition (although some say there wasn't a tradition until Ali and a handful of others invented it). But while Vieux never separates from the past, as Chicory Tip did, he does change and rearrange it into something new, collecting and selecting independent views.

This is more evident on stage than on record. I doubt Ali ever indulged in a bout of heads down no nonsense boogie followed by an extended wah-wah freakout of the sort we were treated to in the final song of the main set.

Vieux was very ably assisted by his three piece band. The bass player was Marshall Henry who is a regular collaborator. I didn't catch the names of the drummer or ngoni player but they were both excellent. The latter had a big old grin on his face most of the evening and was clearly having even more fun than we were.

Here is one track apiece from "Salsa" (2017) and "Ali", the 2022 album on which he teams up with Khruangbin to rework some of his father's old tunes. To complete the circle I've add something by his dear old Dad. 

"Homafu Wawa" -  Vieux Farka Touré

"Tamalla" -  Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin

"Penda Yoro" -  Ali Farka Touré

Before we go, a special shout out to my new friends Natalie and James the Ululator who I met at the gig and who very kindly bought me a shot. Admittedly it tasted like cough syrup but its the thought that counts.

If you want to recreate the evening in the comfort of your own home grab the Night Nurse from your bathroom cabinet and settle down to enjoy this hour-long concert by the same line-up recorded a few months ago.