NOT an "Essential Selection"
billy79 | NY, USA | 06/22/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a genius, there is no doubt about that. But he had his share of low points, and Rick Glanvill did a good job of putting most of them on one CD. I bought this album because it had one of my favorite qawwalis on it, "Man Atkeya...". This is the highest point of the CD... BUT it has been cut short to 9 minutes, leaving out the last 5-6 orgasmic minutes. The second track is why I felt Nusrat needed to stick to his traditional roots. By adding an annoying female chorus and an even more annoying drum machine, he has turned what could have been a wonderfully spiritual qawwali to a quasi-pop disaster. "Sanson ki Mala..." is one of Nusrat's better experiments. Once you get past the awful acoustic guitar intro (sounds like 25 seconds from a 60s desi masala flick), it is a song beautiful enough to move a grown man to tears."Tumhein Dillagi Bhool Jaani Parre Gi" is one of Nusrat's better qawwalis, but for once I'm glad that it has been cut short on this CD. I always felt it lacked the character and driving force that normally makes a 15 minute qawwali interesting till the very end, in my opinion it could have been cut shorter than the 10 minutes on this album. However, it is much better than the NEXT 10 minutes on the album..."Dam Dam Karo Fareed" is qawwali's answer to bubble-gum pop. This is 10 minutes of dragging praise that you'd be better off skipping."Ghunghat Chuk le Sajna" ... well, I'm indifferent to that song. It completely lacks the spiritual undertones typical in a qawwal's portrayal of romance. This is more of a folk song converted to qawwali format - bearable, depending on what mood you're in while listening to it. It's odd that the one qawwali included in it's entirety is the slowest one of them all, and is not an actual qawwali at all. "Un ka Andaz-e-Karam" is actually a ghazal performed in qawwali-style. The words are poignant, as most Urdu ghazals are, but it would have been much better left in ghazal format. Of course, Nusrat's version is not bad at all... it just requires patient listening and an understanding of the language. Not something I would recommend to people looking to experience the euphoria normally induced by a true qawwali.This selection does not capture the true essence of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's genius, and lacks many of his works that would truly make this an "Essential Selection"."
Love of both worlds
Imran Soofi | Lahore, Punjab Pakistan | 07/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This collection is yet another masterpiece from the legend who masterminded this form of music on the international scene. Whats best about this collection is that it gives a taste of all the flavours of the music in the armour of this genius artist. And every track gives the universal message of love, from divine love to human love. The first track (Man Atkiya bay-Purwa dai Naal) is a beauty. It is pure qawwali about a careless beloved. It brings out the true feelings of love even if you dont understand a word of the lyrics. The music is so powerful, it is an amazing experience. The next track (Sab Vird karo) reverts to the pop style of Khan (not his true forte) but yet is a beautiful glorification of divine love and the excellent lyrics are too good to be understood. Track 3 (Saanson ki Maala) is a beauty from the start till the end. If u start listening to it, u will never wish it to end. Again pure qawwali but in a different dialect. The music is mystifying. The lyrics are rich. It is immersed in feelings for the beloved. The next track (Tumhain dillagi) is traditional qawwali stuff & is a must listen. The crests & troughs are a wonderful experience. Again it is an invitation towards true love & the sufferings faced in that love. Track 5 (Dam Dam Karo Fareed) is a qawwali in praise of a Soofi saint and his devotion for truth. It is this form of music that qawwali has its actual roots in. The second last track (Ghunghat Chuk) is to be understood to be enjoyed. It is a pure Punjabi qawwali that invites the beloved to break away all the barriers in love. The last track (Un kay Andaz-e-karam) is a qawwali which is not only lyrically rich(which is always true) but the music is also equally rich. Describing the flip of heart on the beloved, it is a perfect ending to this collection. I am sure Nusrat would have loved listening to this collection himself as well!"
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
