Qawwali ....Nasrut Fateh Ali Khan

There are countless lovers of NFAK around the world and I am one of them. It is too difficult to go over which ones are the best but here is a link to help to get started:

http://www.audioworld.com/sw/Forum1/HTML/005477.html

His performances take on a much much deeper meaning if you understand the language.

To find CDs and DVDs your best bet would be to visit your local Indian/Pakistani music store. In Houston, Texas there are two that I know of:

1) Maharani

2) Rahul & I

There several other performers of Sufi Music that you should consider:

1) Abida Parveen

2) Fareed Ayaz Qawwal

3) Sabri Brothers

4) Sai Baba

And many more...

Snipets of the above can be seen on YouTube.

Keep in mind that the Indian made stuff is not of as high quality as the stuff made in the West but some of it is surprisingly well done. You can also check out the Ocora Label (French) for a 5 cd set which is fabulous. Drop me a line if you need more info. Since NFAK has inspired you enough to write on these pages, I want you to do me a favor and check out a documentary in progress, it is called "That which Colors the Mind" by Steven Baigel. You can find it on the net. I would like to know your opinion of N. Banerjee. I am curious to know whether his music touches you as much as me. Listen to it when you are in a "peaceful" state of mind not when you are in a rush perhaps late at night with headphones on.

Gentlemen,
I must confess a total ignorance on this subject but I am willing to give it a try. Could you suggest one CD to start me off on this? Thanks!

The recordings that first brought Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan into world recognition are a series of Paris concerts from 1985-8 released on five volumes[and collected into a box set] by the Ocora label,distributed by the Harmonia Mundi label.Ocora is one of the most respected presenters of serious world and ethnic music anywhere.Although there are many recordings of Nusrat,these i feel are the greatest representation of the Quawwali-Sufi devotional genre,his best recordings and the finest example of the Ghazal song form.These songs[performances] begin with the traditional Indian percussion and as the music rises the harmoniums,usually two,start the melody and the voice will enter with the song.As the piece builds it enters the realm of improvisation and this is where the vocal range of Khan reaches an intensity rarely heard in Western music.John Coltrane was one of the few Westerners to grasp the concept of expanding the emotional range of this music and brought it to Jazz.As the song unfolds Khan continues to build his voice to an almost call and response pattern with the other musicians.There is interaction between the Tablas and voice and all the other instruments until it reaches a spiritual orgasmic peak then settles down into a euphoric resolution that eventually touches ground.An amazing musical adventure.His nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has continued the tradition and performs throughout the world.
It was my great pleasure and immense good fortune to attend a performance at a Los Angeles hotel of the great Nusrat. this was a benefit for a group of Pakistani physicians and the performance went well into and past three hours of the most intensely beautiful music i have ever heard. An amazing night of music that will stay with me for a long time.There were just a few non-Pakistani people there so we knew we were hearing the real thing.As his notoriety grew,and his health declined his music,though still remarkable, lost some of the fire you will hear on those Paris concert recordings.He was a great artist.

Thanks all for the terrific responses...

Erider/Jazzcourier: is this the album set that you are referring to? Looks to be quite pricey!!

http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Concerts-Complete-Vol-1-5/dp/B000056B7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1239652372&sr=1-1

Erider: I'll take a look at the documentary and get back to you on this thread. Yes, there is something magical about Qawwali and esp. Nusrat in these "early" (well for most of us) years!

Erider: Wow....that's quite powerful music from Banerjee. I'm not an aficionado of Indian classical, but did have the good fortune to attend the Dravidian music festival in Chennai a while back with some friends. I have just enough knowledge to be astounded by his virtuousity...and more importantly the soul behind the music.

Do you know of a recording of Banerjee on the market?

Also, in a very different and less spiritual vein (well perhaps not), there is VM Bhatt (interviewed in the Banerjee film) and Ry Cooder's "Meeting by the River" which I love as a depiction of two virtuoso's meeting and communicating musically with each other. I love that recording!