Mory Djeli Dienne Kouyaté is not just a Malinké* djeli (or griot), but also mory (marabout). I am not sure about the Dienne part of his name, all the more because it has lately evolved into "Deen" (child). He is from Kankan, so from the heart of Malinké country.It never ceases to amaze me that singers like Mory Djeli manage to remain anonymous to the world, although I see that he has travelled to the States and France, and has some videos on YouTube. Why aren't superior singers like this man on MTV?
Here is a cassette from 1990, featuring some unadulterated Mory Djeli. Note that the third track is a (wonderful) version of Nanfoulé.
EDIT Nov.2009: renewed the link to the file.
*or Mandingue
9 comments:
Just found your blog the other day (courtesy of Global Groove). Not easy to see if I want this one, because you didn't give a track list. Can you confirm that it's Super Selection BGDA 9123? (In which case I've got it :)) Trust you also have "La renaissance Mandingue" and "Le retour a la source, from Sonia Store in 1993 & 1995.
Al
It is indeed the Super Selection 9123 cassette from 1990. I have the Renaissance Mandingue cassette, but I'm not sure about the other (what tracks are on that last one?).
I do, however, have a CD, titled "Le Retour Au Champ", plus a few older cassettes.
It's a long K7 - over 50 mins.
Tracks are -
Kankan cherifoula
Marama fen
Foudou saba
N'nakaman
Tatavieu
Fantagbe
Djoula mansa
Ke solobali
Cover has a picture of MDDK wearing what looks like a crown (impersonating an Emperor?) but may only be a hat with bits and pieces stuck on it.
Al
No, this I don't have. Are you willing (& able) to share this with us?
I'll do what I can. I have a very iffy connection - keeps dropping out and I have to start again.
Al
@ Wrldserv Have sent you a link for this & another K7 by e-mail.
Al
Hi Wrldserv,
Can you upload "Le retour au champ", as well as his other cassettes, please ? To me, he's the best djéli alive. I am malinké so I understand his songs, they are really meaningful.
Also, Mory Djély is from Siguiri, not Kankan.
@Ina Kébé: As to Mory Djeli's 'origins': I have corrected this in a later post.
I will be posting more Mory Djeli very soon.
Ok great, I can't wait then ! ;)
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