"It is also one of the oldest, dating to Egyptian times, and apparently very difficult to play. The pieces here are short but the album flows along like a warm breeze over the land. This is secretive music, with many hidden dimensions which lead the listener to unsuspected places of thought and experience. Sparse, yet sophisticated."
Not the Best
Ancient Studies | 09/01/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The below reviewer is wrong: They ney is much older than the "Egyptian Times." It is not an Egyptian instrument either; nor is it Arabic. It is 100% Persian as is the name "ney." It existed in Iran at least 3000 years BC. Anyway, Omoumi's style is a bit dry. You can hear him "poofing" his breath into the instrument as if there were hair stuck on his mouth. I know other artists who aviod that style of playing, and it is much more satisfying. And the zarbi pieces are not as fast as they ought to be. The sound quality of the CD is not exellent either."
Great work
Art Lover | 02/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You only have to listen to this CD once to fall in love with it.
This is a must own regardless on what taste you have."
Evocative of live performance
Art Lover | 09/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Experienced Hossein Omoumi live, and this CD is an excellent souvenir of that journey. Also an aid for the uninitiated to begin to appreciate Persian Classical Music. Fairly accessible to a person raised on European Classical Music. Mystical, trance-inducing. Fascinating liner notes with a fingering chart for the Ney flute."