What intrigues me most about the human voice is its ability to make all things transparent through its power of transformation. The voice is not just a conduit for words. For me it is like an abstract dream in which everything makes perfect sense…I am not one who can physically remain in one place for too long…my music is going to reflect this inability to remain static, and this inability to identify myself with just one specific culture…What matters to me is that I risk, I trust, I strive, and let things unfold as they may. (Azam Ali)In this case, the performer has provided us with a context where we can place her music. How well does she achieve her goal of letting her voice be an expression of something universal that can appeal to as many people as possible? Does the music and instrumentation utilized on the disc contribute to whatever mood she strives to create or emotion she is attempting to evoke?
Elysium is a state of grace or paradise, a word whose origins are the land of the same name in Greek mythology that is the home of the blessed dead. Before anyone jumps on the "paradise awaits the warrior who dies with the sword in his hand" shit that is fed to suicide bombers and tries to impose that on this disc, this refers to the true version of a beautiful concept that has been perverted by unscrupulous people for their own purposes.
All the dead are blessed for all the living have struggled against forces of some sort or another. Some of them win and some them lose their battles; it is based on the results of those battles that we make judgments on our fellow humans. In death those judgments no longer exist so we all have achieved that state of grace where we are free from struggle and war.
Elysium For The Brave is Azam Ali's way of honouring those who have taken risks with their lives in an attempt to rise above the circumstances life gave them. Using traditional instruments, electronics, and her vocal prowess, she creates atmospheric impressions that attempt to recreate emotional experiences that both honour that struggle and give examples of it.
One of the ironies of this type of album is the more successful tracks almost always seem to be the ones not sung in English. That rule of thumb holds true on this album as well. Although there is nothing wrong with those tracks, they lacked the emotional impact of the ones sung in Farsi or other languages. But I don't think that is completely the fault of Azam.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
I have the three Vas CDs in my collection. I wonder if she will tour with this album.