100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks: Ali Farka Toure

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Ali Farka Toure

Kilby/Retna

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The Malian singer and guitarist is often compared to John Lee Hooker, though that's too easy. He has clearly been influenced by rural blues, but Toure is a technical marvel, and his delicately plucked clusters and blindingly fast runs gather influences from African hymns to folk songs.