What Can I say, the Womad festival is truly inspired. And for what it has done to my music collection I am am truly grateful. As in 2008, when I saw Toumani Diabate on stage, playing in total bliss with his smile beaming from the stage for the entire duration of the set. And what that man does with the 21 stringed Kora is mind-bending. The instrument is only played with the thumbs, making the dexterity and virtuosity of this man only the more inspiring.
If you like west African music, the harp or the sound of acoustic guitars, you will appreciate and admire this. Among his growing body of work Kaira is my favourite album from the Prince of the Kora (his father being the King of the Kora)
Below a few links to reviews:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/2010/03/100329_strand_toumani.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2007/2007_toumani_diabate.shtml
