Search - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan :: Body And Soul

Nusrat's Swan Song

Joseph Rochetto | 03/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As befits any great artist who is no longer with us, Nusrat's record label and estate apparently searched for more "product" to keep the name before the public and the sales flowing. I don't mean to disparage this album. I bought it today and have been playing it constantly. There is nothing really new here but what is here is as beautiful as any of Nusrat's more traditional work. I am not a big fan of his more "experimental" stuff with various westerner producers. But any of his traditional, religious work is enough to move me to a blissful state. I believe those people who distinguish the "religious" from the "love song" qawwalis are missing the point. They all speak of the same love. The man's joyous love of God shines through even though I, like most westerners, have no idea what he is saying. This album, apparently recorded shorly before he died consists of tradtional, religious Qawwali's. I don't know enough about the songs or Nusrat's demise to speculate whether he made these songs with his own death in mind. But I like to imagine that he did. I especially like the first cut: "Mayey Nee Main Dhak Farid Dey Jana" (Mother,I have to go to Farid) and the final cut:"Tasbeh Delik Ik Dhaneh" (Each and every rosary bead). I own several NFAK CD's and I probably don't like all the cuts on any of them. The same is true here. I could easily skip the third cut "Barsoon Kay Intizarka" (Waiting for years). One plus on this CD is the english translations, something I have not seen on his other CD's. I do wish Amazon had picked a reviewer who was more knowledgeable and interested in Nusrat's work. Describing it as overly long but pleasant background music with lots of handclapping is sad. Nusrat deserves better, he has opened so many people's eyes to what they otherwise would never see."

Excellent

Joseph Rochetto | 03/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a long time fan of the Ustad (Maestro) and have a good collection of his music. I never took to the fusion music and though I did buy the Real World fusion releases i seldom listen to them. Also, with a liking for Indian classical music, I am well pleased with the slow long pieces which slow down my pulse and bring me close to a meditative state.
Thankfully, this is no fusion music but the real thing. The first song on this CD is as close to my 'perfect' Nusrat song as can be - a good quality recording in which you can hear the beautiful timber of his voice. The last song is also very good. However, i would happily pay the full cost of the CD for that first song alone!
ps. for God's sake reviewer, if you don't understand the music, abstain from commenting! This is a master you review - would you not feel excessively foolish relegating Mozart to background music?"