#997: With Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party, In-Studio

New Sounds | May 24, 2010

Hear ecstatic Sufi prayer music by the great Qawwali singer from Pakistan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn (1948-1997). The Sufi music of Pakistan known as Qawwali has its origins in the 12th Century, “when the great Sufi saint Hazratja Khawaja Moin-Ud-Din Chishtie travelled to India to bring the message of Islam to the Hindu nation” (Real World Records.) It consists of spiritual texts set to often florid, soaring melodies, driven by what sounds like an almost modern dance beat, supported by handclaps.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Pakistani singer who introduced many Westerners to Sufi devotional songs was the focus of a memorable New Sounds on November 12, 1993. As we hear, Ali Khan could be nothing less than mesmerizing in long, spectacular stretches of nonverbal vocalizing. Ali Khan died just four years after this program first aired.

Program #997: With Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
(Original broadcast date: 11/12/1993)

ARTIST: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party
WORK: Haq Ali Ali Haq [7:30]
RECORDING: Devotional & Love Songs
SOURCE: Real World #2300
INFO: realworldrecords.com

ARTIST: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party
WORK: Allah Hoo [2:54]
RECORDING: Live on New Sounds, November 12, 1993
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: There is a recent reissue of a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan 1985 WOMAD concert on Real World Records, which is definitely worth a listen

ARTIST: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party
WORK: Mustt Mustt [2:54]
RECORDING: Live on New Sounds, November 12, 1993
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: There is a recent reissue of a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan 1985 WOMAD concert on Real World Records, which is definitely worth a listen

ARTIST: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
WORK: Tarif [23:00]
RECORDING: Concerts A Paris
SOURCE: Ocora #559-072/073/074. Vol. 3-5
INFO: Available for purchase at Amazon.com

ARTIST: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party
WORK: Sanson Ki Mala Pey [4:00]
RECORDING: Devotional & Love Songs
SOURCE: Real World #2300
INFO: realworldrecords.com

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