Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

6. The Mande Variations

The kora is something incredible. It’s like a piano, you know? I don’t know how they do it, and I really love the way Toumani Diabaté plays. It even makes me think about maybe playing with him just to see what would happen. Because my songwriting is very straightforward, I write from my surroundings, what my surroundings give me. When I’m in love, I write love songs and when I’m sad I write really sad songs, and when I see people living in difficult circumstances, I look at that subject. Now we have the terrorists we have to write songs about revolution. So I would love to play with him. And I can leave space for him with my playing – a guitar is an instrument that you can do whatever you like with.

PreviousNext Record

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today