Robin Bream relays his delight at a truly memorable concert where he witnessed perhaps one of the longest encores, as the York audience for Daby Toure were reluctant to go home.

Paris-based, Senegalese-born, raised in Mauritania, Daby Toure delivered a high-energy performance, with excellent support from his drummer and (5-string) bass guitarist. The intimate venue, a former church, normally sets an appropriately subdued tone for early music audiences, but this impression was soon dispelled when Toure appeared on the small stage and immediately stamped his personality on the place.

'the whirlwind of entertainment that followed.'

After witnessing his amusing Victor Meldrew-style disbelief at a hesitant sound system and a drummer who arrived stickless on stage, the audience quickly loosened up and were ready for the whirlwind of entertainment that followed. Daby was both vocally and instrumentally in top form, producing a range of innovative sound effects that carried his distinctive music along at a cracking pace. He performed mainly the songs from his brilliant 2007 album, Stereo Spirit, along with some of the material from his current tour (on which Toure is subsequently joined by American bluesman, Skip MacDonald: their joint CD - Call My Name - is available at all venues on the tour).

'By now the crowd were thoroughly warmed up and reluctant to go home.'

Meanwhile, back in York, Daby urged the audience to abandon their seats (which many did) and dance to the music. Even greater delight ensued when he managed to get the whole audience singing along to his unfamiliar lyrics (and their version must have sounded even stranger to Daby Toure!). By now the crowd were thoroughly warmed up and reluctant to go home. In response to this enthusiasm, Daby Toure and his band seemed delighted to stay on for a further half-hour of encores. A truly memorable experience.

Robin Bream