Vieux Farka Toure

As the son of legendary desert blues guitarist Ali Farka Toure, Vieux had big shoes to fill. But the younger performer has found his own voice, which builds on the traditions of his father while moving in a blues-rock direction. Hear an acoustic set recorded at KEXP's Bumbershoot Music Lounge.

The son of great Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure grew up secretly learning to play the guitar. Now he has his own music and his own style. He performs with Mama Sissoko on ngoni, a West African ancestor of the banjo.

Are there bands and albums that you know you should love, but for whatever reason just don't? For host Bob Boilen, Green Day is one of those acts. Also on this week's program: the sparkling textures of Sunset Rubdown; a mysterious and dark collaboration from Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and David Lynch; Allen Toussaint playing jazz and blues; and two samples from our Exclusive First Listen series. Hear songs from West African guitar hero Vieux Farka Toure and an album of demos from the legendary supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash.

In 2006, Vieux Farka Toure released his self-titled debut album not long after the death of his father, the iconic Malian guitarist and singer Ali Farka Toure. It was an impressive opening to a career and a heartfelt passing of the torch. The long-awaited new album Fondo establishes young Vieux Farka Toure as a bona fide African guitar hero. Hear the album in its entirety.

Whether for political protest, celebration or sheer musical experimentation, African musicians continue to develop their native traditions. All Songs Considered presents some of the best African music out right now.

Rock 'n' roll owes its existence to its African roots, and the genre has in turn influenced contemporary African music. But the continent has not produced many bona fide rockers of its own — until now. Banning Eyre reviews two recent releases by Vieux Farka Toure and Justin Adams with Juldeh Camara.

Are there bands and albums that you know you should love, but for whatever reason just don't? For host Bob Boilen, Green Day is one of those acts. Also on this week's program: the sparkling textures of Sunset Rubdown; a mysterious and dark collaboration from Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and David Lynch; Allen Toussaint playing jazz and blues; and two samples from our Exclusive First Listen series. Hear songs from West African guitar hero Vieux Farka Toure and an album of demos from the legendary supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash.