Variety by Ken Eisner

Educational value aside, pic is exciting for its extended performance sequences, with the most notable finding Traore and Farke strolling with guitars through the acoustically amazing atrium of an abandoned mud schoolhouse.

Chicago Reader by Fred Camper

Kar Kar's singing is wonderfully expressive, and an improvised song to his wife at her grave site demonstrates the emotional wellspring of his music.

Boston Globe by Ty Burr

For fans of African music, "Sing" is a rich archeological dig; for newcomers with open ears, it might be a revelation.

Village Voice by Laura Sinagra

The reverent pacing lags a bit, but the film's meditation on the struggle to find spirituality that reconciles Islam with tribal belief systems is powerful in its understatement, and its wordless observation of France's Malian community quietly evidences daily cultural preservation amid the hard labor.

TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox

For many, the soundtrack to this beautifully shot film will probably mark their first encounter with Traore and the intoxicating sounds of his unique brand of Malian blues. Chances are it won't be their last.

The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck

It does offer plenty of musical numbers and an impressionistic portrait of his life and times.

Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman

One of those sanctifying docs that rambles when it should explore.

New York Post by V.A. Musetto

Enjoyable if only to hear KarKar perform his mournful and personal songs, including a tender tribute to his late wife.

The New York Times by Dave Kehr

Informal, pleasant film that ably captures Mr. Traoré's spirit.

Film Threat by Phil Hall

A meandering and disappointing documentary about one of Africa's most beloved yet elusive musical giants.

Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan

It never really feels like we've gotten to know the man himself, leaving the figure at the heart of I'll Sing for You a cipher.

The A.V. Club by Keith Phipps

Director Jacques Sarasin lazily relies on a talking-heads/archival-footage approach to tell Traoré's story, doing little to put it in context and assuming a lot more knowledge of Malian history than most viewers possess.