Savane
by Ali Farka Toure
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jul 25, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 67
  3. Negative: 5 out of 67

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  1. JustinG
    Aug 10, 2006
    10
    Stunning.
  2. tupper
    Aug 20, 2006
    10
    amazing! everything rock and roll should be.
  3. RM
    Oct 24, 2006
    8
    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 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
  4. jonc
    Aug 10, 2006
    10
    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.
  5. AladdynSane
    Jan 6, 2007
    8
    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 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
  6. DerekD.
    Sep 18, 2007
    9
    Simply astounding roots music. Speaks to me even though I don't know his language.
  7. ChrisD
    Dec 22, 2006
    7
    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.
  8. ShoisiaD
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    Unbelievable! The music is so beautiful and moving. I can't stop listening to it
  9. JD
    Jan 28, 2007
    8
    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!
  10. RichardK
    Jan 8, 2007
    8
    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.
  11. BrettG.
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    Supremely magical, a triumph of revelation in the sober gray world of today.
  12. leiris
    Nov 7, 2006
    9
    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
  13. HorriM
    Dec 15, 2006
    10
    I own most of the CD
  14. LizeH
    Dec 16, 2006
    10
    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 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
  15. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    10
    "the DNA of the blues" - Martin Scorsese Organic & Soulful. Possibly his best album.
  16. LawrieC
    Oct 22, 2006
    10
    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 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
  17. madsl
    Aug 28, 2006
    9
    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!
  18. SamH
    Sep 24, 2006
    9
    I am still working my way through this album. Each listening reveals a little more.
  19. Bleat0124
    Jun 8, 2016
    10
    This is the best album i've ever heard. Wow is the only logical reactions to the talent that is on display throughout the record.

    The only rejection one may have is the inability to understand what he is saying but in some ways i think that particular aspect liberates the listener. These song can say whatever it is you want them to say as it relates to your own current states. He plays    This is the best album i've ever heard. Wow is the only logical reactions to the talent that is on display throughout the record.

    The only rejection one may have is the inability to understand what he is saying but in some ways i think that particular aspect liberates the listener. These song can say whatever it is you want them to say as it relates to your own current states. He plays and sings with enough skill, soul, and diversity to authentically convey any mood or emotion.    … Expand
  20. mavinhakeem
    Jan 9, 2020
    10
    This Final Note He left us.. What a Wonder! You will always be a Legend... Ali
  21. All_ButTrU4
    Jun 7, 2022
    8
    Stumbling upon this whilst doing a roll call of all the 90+ records on metacritic and despite not agreeing with some this one deserved that distinction. It's an epic guitar record filled with many key moment's and cohesive sequencing that in the best of way makes it feel like one big glorious movement.
  22. jesus_testman
    Nov 20, 2019
    10
    Simply, quite possibly the most perfectly fragile, devastating and hopeful album of the 21st Century. Exquisite in its pain

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2006
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Amazon.com
    90
    His unsentimental, voluptuously masculine, spirit-guided magic is captured at its best, for all time, in this magnificent farewell.
    Read full review
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    One of his most accomplished recordings.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    90
    "Savane" is without question one of the finest efforts in his legendary discography.
    Read full review
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