Night Song - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Khan, Nusrat Fateh
Crest
Canadian experimental guitarist Brook and the late, "shining star of Qawwal" come together for a second time to bring the music of Pakistan into a creative new realm. If you are a traditionalist who wants nothing but Pakis... more »tani music, stay away. This album is soaked in ambient electronic guitar noises and some of Khan's most out-of-the-tradition singing. These experiments are not to be confused with lots of the electro-noodling, however. Both artists were devoted to their gods and their music, and it shows in the potency of these tracks. Brook seems to have been a natural match for Nusrat and has drawn out an unusual performance that probably fulfills the ideas that were only hinted at in their first collaboration, Musst Musst. --Louis Gibson« less
Canadian experimental guitarist Brook and the late, "shining star of Qawwal" come together for a second time to bring the music of Pakistan into a creative new realm. If you are a traditionalist who wants nothing but Pakistani music, stay away. This album is soaked in ambient electronic guitar noises and some of Khan's most out-of-the-tradition singing. These experiments are not to be confused with lots of the electro-noodling, however. Both artists were devoted to their gods and their music, and it shows in the potency of these tracks. Brook seems to have been a natural match for Nusrat and has drawn out an unusual performance that probably fulfills the ideas that were only hinted at in their first collaboration, Musst Musst. --Louis Gibson
William W. (wdavidw) from TYLER, TX Reviewed on 10/29/2010...
Pretty nice album for a change of pace. Ethnic Pakistani vocalist, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, does take a bit to get used to by western standards, but I think when paired with ambient guitarist Michael Brooks the collaborative effects are pretty well done. If you enjoy some of Peter Gabriel's ethnic influences on some of his more recent work, it's sort of along that line. Many years ago Gabriel released an album of world music called Womad. I don't think it ever was put on CD, but that album got me interested in international artist.
CD Reviews
Meditation.
Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 03/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am writing a review of Night Music because I feel that Nusrat's music is very important to rock and roll. This Pakistani singer, who sadly passed away a few years back, had the power to touch the soul with his singing. Though I can't understand a word he said, Night Music's feelings are well received. I like to think of Nusrat's music as mesmerizing and hypnotic as well as emotionally raw. Michael Brook just enhances Nusrat's ideas, making this recording a haunting, painfully sweet listen. This is a must have for any rock collector. Thank you to Peter Gabriel for creating his RealWorld label in which we get to hear such fine musicians from other countries of the world."
"We do not sing, we are made to sing."
James Ferguson | Vilnius, Lithuania | 06/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is best known for Qawwali music, the devotional music of the Sufis, taking it to incredible heights, but here we see perhaps his most successful cross-over album, with an excellent supporting cast, including Michael Brook on infinite guitar, keyboards and percussion, that gives Nusrat's music a broader feel. It was really a shame to lose Nusrat at the peak of his career. He had become involved in so many fascinating projects, including singing with Eddie Vedder on "The Face of Love," from the soundtrack to "Dead Man Walking." His soaring harmonics were a badly needed infusion into the world music scene, when it was beginning to grow stale."
Hauntingly beautiful
billy79 | NY, USA | 06/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excuse the use of such a cliche, but the West has finally met the East, and done so in a way that is truly brilliant. Not being a great supporter of Nusrat's attempts at "Westernizing" qawwalis, even I have to admit that Michael Brook succeeded in creating a tasteful mix that the great maestro himself was unable to master. Though largely devoid of the repetitive chants and driving rythms of a qawwali, this album still captures the hypnotic qualities of Nusrat's best work. His voice is set against a background of music that is rich but not over-powering. As Nusrat's voice flits from a deep, throaty groan to a clear, haunting wail, it becomes clear that he has truly transcended the barrier of language, and is able to convey pure, raw emotion through music alone. This is perhaps the best aspect of Night Song - being able to hear a voice so miraculous without the clutter that usually surrounds it in his other works. The end result - hauntingly beautiful."
Fusion of Musical Geniuses
Jasleen Matharu | 10/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is essentially a fusion of great musical minds. The legendary Khan payes more attention to making this a better experience for the western audiences of the Sufi music by playing more with his (brilliant) vocal skills then with the lyrics. Micheal Brooks' music stands out and enhances the experience further. This is not to say that the mainstream Indo-Paki audience won't enjoy this album ( This is one of my all time favs). It is fabulous background listening while doing work which may need focus - for those who need music to do such things... :)
For those who have been thinking of testing out Sufi music, this is the place to start. This is a fine introduction to the great NFAK and Sufi music."