Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Shahbaaz

Named for 13th-century Sufi master Qalandar Shahbaaz, Shahbaaz is Nusrat at his most intense--just look at the CD's cover photo: facial grimace, closed eyes, sweat on the forehead, raised hand, and the open mouth from which the greatest qawwali singing of the 20th century sprang forth for some 25 years before his death in 1997. From the first seconds of tabla drumming and clapping on "Beh Haadh Ramza Dhasdha," Nusrat and party lose themselves in the divine Islamic chant whose lyrics recall ancient Sufi poetry and stories. The weave of harmonium, drums, and Nusrat's improvised vocals suck listeners into a repetitive, ecstatic vacuum of music while the steady throbbing drums and handclapping ground the divine mania. Some of the most amazing vocal work shines on this CD, both by Nusrat and his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, whose higher-pitched, metallic throat wailing forms a wild counterpart to Nusrat's fuller, lower register. The gem of this CD is the final song, "Jewleh Lal," a 20-minute melodic number that swings with especially powerful call-and-response praise for Qalandar Shahbaaz. Though Shahbaaz doesn't offer the full spectrum of Sufi traditional songs, this may well be the best taste of the passion and vocal artistry that this innovator gave to both the Eastern and Western worlds. --Karen Karleski Amazon.com essential recording

stunning & intoxicated

"I felt a rush of adrenaline in my chest like I was on the edge of a cliff, wondering when I would jump." So wrote the late Jeff Buckley about hearing Nusrat for the first time. Jewleh Laal is the song that proves why Fateh Ali Khan deserves the label: "Ustad" (The Maestro). As the editor acknowledges, "The gem of this CD is the final song." Ustad Khan is at top of his game in this cd. The rhythms are uplifting while Khan's vocals are hypnotic and mesmerizing. The music on this cd will arouse mysticism and transcend the listener into a spiritual realm. May 27, 2005

Best Sung Shahbaz Qalander

This is a collection of qawwalis on Shahbaz Qalander, the well known saint from Pakistan. As the story goes, Qalanders are supposed to be in an eternal trance mode. So this selection has alot of emphasis on routing the listener to that path. The audio quality of this CD is excellent and it has one of the best sung Shahbaz Qalander. There have been other CDs as well where Nusrat had this number; but this selection leads the other ones in the music, vocals and built-in traditional element of Shahbaz Qalander. I only like two qawwalis in this selection. Still, I would highly recommend it. January 28, 2002

Great introduction to Pakistani music

This is the first (of many) Nusrat CDs I bought after hearing him on the Dead Man Walking soundtrack. It remains one of my favorites for a number of reasons. The tracks are relatively succinct, the audio quality is high, and the vocal improvs he does (I'm sure there's a beautiful word for it) are somehow more directed than on other records I've heard. It's trance music, and although I don't understand a single word, I am transported each time I listen. Where? Search me. July 11, 2001

The Best Qavvaalii CD ever !!

I first heard Nusrat and Shahbaaz in Panjab and was immediately taken by this truly spectacular music. The quality of Nusrat's musicianship and vocal power defies immediate description. The only problem with this album is the total absence of information in the program notes. The lyrics aren't translated on the grounds that Qavvaalii is too esoteric for Westerners to understand -- nonsense!, I've been walked through the translation without any problems. No mention is even made of what languages (Panjabi, Urdu) the songs are in, nor the immense popularity and cultural importance in Panjab and Sindh of that most recognizable of tunes: Shahbaaz Qalandar. It's a good thing that Nusrat and his Party don't need good liner notes to earn 5-stars, heck 6... heck 17. Buy this, but surf the net for the translated lyrics and background info on the Qalandars and Sufism. Enjoy! July 4, 2001

"Welcome to Hell - here's your accordian"

Okay, so I know its a harmonium, but jeez is that instrument tough on the ears. Nusrat's vocals are powerful and inspiring, the tabla sets a nice beat, but the harmonium ruins the show. A little harmonium, OK, but not the WHOLE CD. What you get is Nusrat drowned out by the extremely annoying off-beat, wailing, choppy drone of that awful harmonium. If it wasn't for the passion that Nusrat brings to the recording, this cd would be no better than one star. If it wasn't for the grating harmonium, "Shabaaz" would be a four star effort. For Nusrat's inspiring vocals with a more soothing backdrop, try "The Prayer Cycle". Or buy "Shabaaz" and groove to the agitating vibration of the harmonium. November 24, 2000

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