amazing! everything rock and roll should be.

Its ridiculous that this gets high reviews just because it is a genre that we don't listen to much in Western culture - you can never give this a twenty say without being accused of being narrow minded or racist, even if it is rubbish (it is now well in the top ten albums ever reviewed on metacritic). Still, I am glad I own the album for variety's sake and yeah, it's even quite enjoyable when you get into it. It would be handy if I could understand the lyrics (obviously not in English) because otherwise, the voice is just an instrument - at least it's a good one.… Expand

Ali Farka Toure was a brilliant, powerful musician and great person. This CD captures his desert blues perfectly, adding other instrumentation to create new moods and dynamics, it's one of his best. I'm grateful he was able to create this before he left us.

I do have to agree with Todd W. that there's usually a love fest associated with recently-dead musicians. I reserve 10's for truly amazing, groundbreaking, listen to over and over again type of music. This album beats 99% of things out there today, but I would agree that this is no Pink Moon, Pet Sounds, etc. etc. Still, if this genre is your thing or you're open-minded enough to give this one a shot, I think you'll be very satisfied.… Expand

Simply astounding roots music. Speaks to me even though I don't know his language.

This is an OK album, but not nearly as good as 2005's "In the Heart of the Moon", or even "Talking Timbuktu". It certainly wasn't the best record of 2006, but worth it if you into the blues or a Toure fan.

This vote is not so much a rejection of this album, but the whole Dead Music Artist Releases Swan Song and Critics Swoon idea. See Johnny Cash and Warren Zevon, et al. I know they're probably just trying to be kind, which is fine if you happen to be at the wake, but call it as you hear it, not as your heart wants it in some Alice in Wonderland musical utopia. Perhaps I'm missing something, but are you telling me this album is in league with "Astral Weeks," "Forever Changes," "Highway 61," "Pet Sounds," "Closer," "O.K. Computer," "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," "Pink Moon," or "Spiderland?" I'm sorry, my condolences, but no.… Expand

I've listened to this album multiple times and I still don't get the hype. Maybe this is the Buena Vista Social club Album of the year, but I know blues music, and this doesn't rank with the best. Now if this is being ranked on a scale of African Blues Music, maybe then it would be at the top, but I'm ranking it for what it is, and Savane isn't great. Get yourself some Bukka White, Skip James, Lightnen' Hopkins, or John Hurt and hear the real thing. Track "Savane" is the best track - but still not even close to a 93/100.… Expand

It doesn't seem fair to all the albums truly deserving of good reviews this year that this one gets kudos just because it's some posthumous release by an african dude that's supposedly a legend. Not god-awful, but not very memorable, and certainly not deserving of a 94 either.

I was excited to see that something has been rated so high, but i was left dissapointed after a listen. I can appreciate the album, its just not my cup of tea.

Unbelievable! The music is so beautiful and moving. I can't stop listening to it

I count several very good tunes, 2 topnotch -- I don't understand the '0' votes -- a '0' vote should be reserved for kfed. Just because you believe it was rated too high, don't turn into a hater!

I'm only mildly interested in blues, but I took a chance on this album based on the Metacritic rating and the user comments. And suprisingly I really liked this album. I'm often disapointed when I try a highly rated album outside my comfort zone, but this one really works for me.

Supremely magical, a triumph of revelation in the sober gray world of today.

I regret downloading this. Definitely not a 94.

Jimmy F said "Now if this is being ranked on a scale of African Blues Music, maybe then it would be at the top" I am asking myself what this kid meant by this? My conclusion is that he has no idea. I am glad that he can spit out legendary names, as can most people who really know anything about music, but to put this album down because it is not ‘blues enough’ does not show well for him. This is a great album, that ranks along side Toure's legendary catalog, and no matter which legends you want to compare it to or what genre you want to classify it in it still stands as a great album…and for my money the best of the year.… Expand

I own most of the CD’s Todd F mentioned and I’ve heard almost all the others more than once. They’are all goed to excellent albums. Jimmy F’s real thing is also in my taste, but it’s not more than one histroical rendition of the blues reality – whatever it might be. Savane and Ali farka Toure are not only in the same league as the best of the list; they stand often way above. I’ve no idea what some listeners are missing. Nevertheless, I imagine most people reduce good music to the combination of good instrumentalists, lyrics, vocals, production etc. Savane has all of that. What puts this album in a league of its own is that the entrancing mojos, vibes grooves, dubs etc. are generated not only by human and instrumental chords; they come directly from uncharted territories of the deeper soul. It’s common knowledge and pracctice that soulful music transcends the barriers of vernacular languages. Those who are missing the lyrics could buy the CD. The songs are summarily translated or explained in the booklet. One may still not grasp the full range of the messages AFT transmits in this album. But (some of) his words shall certainly make any open-minded soul crave for more poetry and develop a taste for a much-needed engagement in human and envrironmental rights.… Expand

Concerning Savane, I've nothing to add to the description given by Horri M. I am very grateful to Ali Farka Toure for the superb and soul-healing creations, wisdom, humility and humanity that no amount of money can buy. If this is the work of a farmer for whom music was just a hobby, I wonder what we could have missed! A shining example for the overwhelming majority of today's stars. Up there with the best of the best. Thank you louds & loudly and RIP !… Expand

"the DNA of the blues" - Martin Scorsese Organic & Soulful. Possibly his best album.

Forget about the desert blues tag, or that Ali is now dead; it's an unecessary distraction from the music. Toure was a brilliant musician - the grooves he dug in this CD make John Lee Hooker look catatonic. I've followed this career for a while, and was taken by surprise that his last two CDs were so comprehensively African and wonderful - never mind that he was near to death when he recorded them - they're brilliant on any scale. Penda Yoro, Soya, Savane and Fara are my current fave tracks - unbelievably soulful, cool and beautiful. You can keep the modern USA blues - Ali had the real stuff.… Expand

Look, this is not revelatory music. It's the same crappy blues, this time played by an African musician. Give me Fela, King Sunny Ade, Youssou N'Dour anytime over this guy. It's sad that he passed, but that is no reason for this recording to rate a 9.4!! And higher than Waits and the others on the list???? Please!!! This is just misguided, overly-sympathetic voting.

a stunning, raw and exciting effort from the late desert blues king! perhaps his greatest album ever! As Ry Cooder has remarked, this is pure genius!