Vieux Farka Touré

Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré made his name with a self-titled album that picked up deftly on the guitar style pioneered by his late, revered father Ali Farka Touré—a bright, prickly sound wandering the vital ground between the blues and its traditional roots back in West Africa. His 2009 album, Fondo, pursues that style, but much more boldly, swirling through broad, warm atmospheres and delicately threaded melodic themes. His new album, The Secret, may be his best yet, even without appearances by guitar greats like John Scofield and Derek Trucks. While this predicts shows that may inspire plenty of music-festival bliss-outs, lovers of African music—or lovers of the guitar—should recognize a fast-growing songwriter and arranger with a hungry set of guitar chops.

Updated 08/17/2011