Bombino - Amidinine

Omara "Bombino" Moctar is the best guitarist that you've never heard of. Born in a Tuareg encampment near the city of Agadez, Niger, Bombino has been singing, writing, and shredding about the many problems that plague his people and that area of the Sahara desert. This area of the world is consistently in turmoil from violent rebellions and, in 2007, the government decided that guitars played a symbolic role in these rebellions and banned them from the country. Later that year two of his band members were executed in front of him and Bombino was forced into exile in Burkina Faso. He has always believed that his guitar was not to be seen as a gun but as a hammer to build the homes of the Tuareg people. After the conflict had ended he was finally able to return to Agadez where he and his band performed a concert to celebrate and promote peace and harmony. Since then he has recorded two critically acclaimed albums and has been touring all over the world, performing at major European and American festivals and opening for acts such as Robert Plant & The Band of Joy, Amadou & Miriam, and Gogol Bordello.

"Amidinine" is the opening song from Bombino's sophomore album, Nomad. The track features blazing, bluesy guitar and lyrics sung in Tamashek, the language of the nomadic Tuareg people. Bombino often sings of the geopolitical concerns of the Tuareg people and, although you can't understand what he's saying, you can feel the struggles and pains of he and his people through his passionate, intense, and powerful singing. The entire album is brilliant and a must listen for anyone who loves great electric guitar and the blues. It is produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and his raw yet polished touch proves why he is one of the best producers in rock right now (check out his other recent album, Locked Down by Dr. John as to why).

Some thoughts...

- Looks like the Lower Mainland of BC is set to break a ridiculous, 127 year old record of having zero rain for the entire month of July. Fuck Yeah!

- Looks like A-Rod could be kicked out of Major League Baseball for using PEDs on more than one occasion and lying about it on more than one occasion. This will happen only if he agrees not to fight the suspensions they have prepared for him. He really must've cheated a lot to be the only guy the MLB wants to make an example out of...

- Recently finished watching the majority of Breaking Bad for a second time and I cannot fucking wait for the final 8 episodes to begin two Sundays from now (Aug 11). Get ready for some BB themed posts next week too.

- Squamish Festival officially begins one week tomorrow. We've got a solid crew of 9 heading up for 3 days of music and good times. Also get ready for some Squamish Fest themed posts.