This year is the 35th Vancouver International Folk Festival and it is certainly not one to be missed. The line up this year consists of heavy hitters such as local darling Dan Mangan, country great Lucinda Williams, and daughter of the 90’s Ani Di Franco to name but a few.
There is familiarity and comfort to be found in these artists, however, some of the most amazing connections might be found in the unknown. Therefore, in anticipation of connecting with the unknown Vancouver Weekly will showcase one artist per week.
This week we are showcasing a West African artist from Mali, Sidi Toure who will be touring his second album titled Koïma (literally “go hear”). This album has been described as giving the audience “ten new songs that naturally mix tradition and modernity, African magic and city-dwelling dilemmas. The songs are personal tributes to the Songhaï folk music traditions, which, depending on the rhythm, are called Takambas, Holleys, Gao-Gaos, or Shallos.”
To say that I am looking forward to seeing Toure play and share with us his folklore and mysticism will be an understatement. It is said that this album is a tribute to the power of a place called Gao at which there is “a Dune with his feet in the waters of the river Niger, and with his head touching the sky,” says Toure.
In Malian folklore, Koïmais is the meeting place for the most powerful wizards of the world. Sidi received permission from the dune’s chief to go on the dune and to swim in the Niger.
Let’s share the musical magic that Toure will bring, together at the Vancouver Folk Festival this summer July 13-15 2012.
Sidi Touré – Ni See Ay Ga Done from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo. 
