Profoundly oceanic, stunningly accomplished, subtle and moving, the new Ghazal live CD The Rain continues the duo's groundbreaking fusion of the Indian and Persian musical traditions.
Kayhan Kalhor on the droning Persian bowed string instrument the kamancheh, and Shujaat Husain Khan, seventh generation master of the Imdad Khan school on sitar and beautifully integrated vocals, play improvisations on the traditional Persian and Indian repertoires before a live Swiss radio audience on this, their first recording for ECM. Joining the duo is Sandeep Das on tablas, adding a propulsive percussive element to Ghazal's (formed in 1997) sonic range, especially on the CD's final track, "Eternity," which builds tidally to an epic climax before vanishing triumphantly into the ether.
With South Asian and Middle Eastern modalities no longer as alien to Western ears as they once were, perhaps this will be the smash hit it deserves to be.
Article comments
1 - waqas
hello
salam how r u ?
2 - Sean Doherty
Amazing!
Was listening to NPR (ATC) on the way home from work last evening (Nov 6th) when the story of Ghazal was featured.
What an incredible sound (The Rain), one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a long time.
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks Sean, very glad the word is getting out!
4 - Nasir
Wow! Music at its best!! I just got the CD and can't believe how it reaches deep into my soul and touches me. I never write comments, however this is an exceptional piece of art.
Thank you so much for the gift. This type music only existed in my imaginations, now you have made it a reality with the second track "Dawn".
I hope to hear more CD's similar to Track 2 "Dawn". 05:27-05:31
I have recommended this CD to every friend and family member.
10/10