"ten fingers for twenty-one strings and magic takes place"

February 10, 2020 9:36 AM

Malian Ballaké Sissoko is a master of the kora. Listen to him play Nalésoko.

PHOTOS & VIDEOS of Ballaké Sissoko

from NPR: Ballaké Sissoko And Vincent Segal: Sounds From Tradition

also enjoy: Ballaké Sissoko & Baba Sissoko - SIGI GNO GONYA where ' musician cousins combine a courtly kora flourish with a rolling rhythm and a spiky high lead line from the ngoni'

Ballaké Sissoko is the son of Djelimady Sissoko, himself a renowned kora player, who collaborated with Sidiki Diabaté on their album Ancient Strings. In 2003, Ballaké Sissoko and Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki's son, collaborated on the album New Ancient Strings

Ballaké Sissoko Speaks About US Customs Breaking His Kora earlier last week.

posted by the man of twists and turns (9 comments total)

1999, not 2003, argh.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:40 AM on February 10, 2020

Ugh, what a painful example of the problems with intersections of customs, borders, racism, xenophobia, and art. I wrote so much of my dissertation to Sissoko albums. Thanks for the post.
posted by ChuraChura at 9:46 AM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

This music is among the best music. Thanks
posted by From Bklyn at 10:00 AM on February 10, 2020

It's just such a lovely sound. That US Customs of course would smash up.

If you're needing more kora goodness, Mansa Sissoko (a cousin of Ballaké) made a fab album with Canadian banjo player Jayme Stone: Bringing The Banjo From 'Africa To Appalachia'
posted by scruss at 10:56 AM on February 10, 2020

I can only imagine the outrage if a Homeland Security rent-a-cop had broken a violinist's Strad. It sucks that there is no accountability, here.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:29 AM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

Gorgeous! Thank you!
posted by erebora at 4:48 PM on February 10, 2020

The kora is so beautiful, one of my favorite instruments for sure. Thank you for posting this.
posted by capricorn at 6:44 PM on February 10, 2020

I love kora music so much, and Ballaké Sissoko is the subtlest kora player there is. His touch is so incredible.

The work he does with cellist Vincent Segal breathes so well. The way that they work together feels like they are truly musical equals, rather than one leading the other.

I've been working really hard to play guitar arrangements of some of the songs Sissoko played with Toumani Diabate on New Ancient Strings. Hours disappear just trying to get close to the feel they have.
posted by umbú at 7:41 PM on February 10, 2020 [2 favorites]

It is the Age Of Trump. Of course they'd smash it.
posted by acb at 10:16 AM on February 11, 2020