Various Artists

The Rough Guide To African Blues

$30.00

It is common knowledge that the origin of the blues lies in West Africa, and that it was carried to America by slaves. The Rough Guide to African Blues explores the blues in its native setting, as it were, in mostly acoustic settings, although the vintage sounds of Ayaléw Mesfin & Black Lion Band from Ethiopia add a big-band touch (whether they really qualify as blues is perhaps debatable). One of the most authentic-sounding pieces combines American Corey Harris with the late Malian guitar legend Ali Farka Touré.