Track Listing

1. Je Pense a Toi (I Think of You)
2. Combattants (Warriors)
3. Mouna (I Wonder Why?)
4. Pauvre Type (Poor Guy)
5. Dogons
6. Baara (Work)
7. Dounia (The World) - Amadou & Mariam
8. Radio Mogo
9. Djandjola (Adventure)
10. On Se Donne La Main (Hand in Hand)
11. Mon Amour, Ma Cherie (My Love, My Darling) - Amadou & Mariam
12. Chacun Son Probleme
13. Teree La Sebin (Evil Eye)
14. Toubala Kono (Lonely Bird)
15. C'est La Vie (That's Life)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #154901 in Music
• Released on: 1999-11-23
• Number of discs: 1

From Rhythm Magazine
Mariam Doumbia and Amadou Bagayoko met as youngsters in the troupe of the Institute for the Young Blind of Mali. Today, married with three children, the couple continues on their musical quest, blending traditional Malian music with blues and rock. Joining them here is an international cast including European, Arabic, Indian and Colombian musicians. Tracks like "Baara" and "Dogons" have great grooves; the singing is strong, and the instruments-particularly Amadou's rhythm-guitar-provide a solid pulse. Guest musicians, such as flutist Alain Hatot on "Mouna," add welcome sparkles of color to a fairly static musical bed. --Robert Kaye

Customer Reviews

Sincere Folk-blues, Uplifting Spiritually and Musically.
This CD by a (blind, but who cares) Dogon couple (married, but who cares) from Mali made a hit in Paris, where I first heard it at the home of my good friend Jeff Ribier, an excellent young hip-hop artist. Amadou et Maryam have created a sound which feels new but also very traditional; bluesy and folksy, and true to both blues and African musical traditions. Every track on this CD combines elements which are, at least to my ears, very definitely "tribal" (hence folklorical), yet completely modern as well, with western instruments (ska horns, violin, electric blues guitar) and western folk traditions (blues, reggae). The sincerity of both sound and sense cannot escape the listener, which sets this CD apart from most (the lyrics are in French and Dogon, but the liner notes contain a more-or-less accurate English translation). Such music cannot but foster loving brother/sister-hood of all peoples. It is so simple and yet emotionally sophisticated that it appears to be the product of a conscious good wish for all humanity. It contains no saccharine self-indulgence, no cheap effects or gimmicks; it is passionate but not angry. It is a most generous and moving witness to the African renaissance, and of the hope for our planet through the recognition of the innate similarity of all people and the love of cultural diversity.

Mamadou et Mariam rock!
Normally, that isn't saying much, but in this case the rockers in question are two blind Malian folkies.

A couple of blind Malian folkies rockin' out is something behold, indeed. I mean, wouldn't the world be a better place if Beavis wore a Mamadou et Mariam t-shirt and pumped his fist to "Mon Amour, Ma Cherie"? Seriously, "Mon Amour" rocks harder than anything Metallica has produced since they cut their hair.

Really, seriously. There is a sense of urgency to this music, even when it doesn't have the backbeat of "Mon Amour." The first time I heard "Teree La Sebin" I thought "I don't know what this woman is saying [the songs are French and Dogon? -- whatever they speak in Mali] -- but whatever she's saying she means it." Quick check of the lyrics "But no one can escape his lot/I say that illness of the eyes isn't good/But what can I do?/Amadou plays the guitar, Mariam sings/We came for that/For us its our destiny/I said sorry to everyone but they accuse me of everything/I apologized to everyone/But they called me every name under the sun/My older brother...my brother I am not the only one/They put the evil eye over my head/What did I do to God for Him to take my eyes?"

Want a love song? Check out the sample of "Je Pense A Toi."

Wouldn't the world be a better place if they put THIS on MTV?

Mali's Finest
A few years ago, someone gave me a compilation CD called From Mali To Memphis. I apparently listed to it once, and took no particular note of it. Then, later on down the line, I went back to it to re-investigate. The first track, Mon Amour, Ma Cherie, by Amadou & Mariam, tore my head off so authoritatively that I played it nine times in a row. And now, Amadou & Mariam are just about my favorite band in the world.


This CD, their first with a full band, is a miracle of great music that transcends traditional style, and marries various forms in ways most all "world music" artists can only dream of.
A flute here, hammond organ there, tabla, violin, trumpet, and influences ranging from Middle-Eastern to James Brown to reggae
make for a unique and exquisite sound. From ballads to
genuine hard rock, it never misses a beat.

In the middle of it all is Amadou Bagayoko. His leathery voice is one of the most commanding ever to be issued from an African recording. His guitar playing, while modest in the solo department, sets up many of the songs with scintillating motifs.
Mariam Doumbia, his soul-mate, also provides vocals that create a soft counter-point to Amadou's gritty singing.

I highly recommend that anyone beg, borrow, or steal a copy of this CD, and discover just how good West African music gets.