Vieux Farke Toure-Aigna
This weekend in the high desert of California marks the 9th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival and the first time in more than six years that I will not be there. My disappointment is almost palpable as it is always a great time and this year they have outdone themselves with their lineup. Chali 2na, Rubblebucket Orchestra, and Pimps of Joytime–all bands that have graced the pages of Downloadable over the last few years–will be gracing this years lucky festival goers with their presence on JT’s stages. And while I am sad that I will be missing them and the overall atmosphere at the festival, I’m downright depressed that I’ll be missing today’s featured artist.
There has always been a spot in the JT lineup for African and worldbeat musicians but this year they pulled off something special by getting Vieux Farke Toure to share some of his magic at the outdoor festival (and this is precisely the kind of music that belongs outdoors.) Son of legendary Malian guitarist, Ali Farke Toure, Vieux proves that the proverbial apple doesn’t fall too far at all as he is proving himself to be every bit the master that his father was. “Aigna” is from his soon to be released third album, The Secret and is a good preview of both the album and his Joshua Tree set. The track features a collaboration with Derek Trucks, an excellent guitarist in his own right but still not good enough to steal the attention away from Vieux. So, if you’re lucky enough to be in the Mojave this weekend, dig his set enough for both of us because I’m not going to get a chance to see him until his next Toure.