Rough Guide To Sufi Music

This is a very difficult review to write as I do not understand the language(s) of the recordings nor am I of the culture where this music originated. Music appreciation is colored by our expectations and knowledge. Let me give you an example of what kind of silliness lack of grounding can cause: The sixth track of this recording is called "Tere Ishq Nachaaya". That phrase appears many times in the music but I hear something different. I hear "Ewa Mataya" instead of "Ishq Nachaaya". Anybody know what that is? It's the name of a Swedish-American Model who is most famous as a many-times women's world champion pool (pocket billiards) player! I am familiar with Ewa so I initially try to interpret what I'm hearing in terms of what I know. Of course that leads to utter nonsense.I developed an interest in Sufi music by hearing it played, occasionally, on a university radio station in Albuquerque, NM where I live. I selected two CD's here at Amazon about two years ago. I like both very much and this one the best. However, I did not review the music immediately because of the issues mentioned above. I enjoy the music but I do not understand it in the way that some of you might be able to. It's taken me two years to realize that understanding isn't important. This music has an emotional and rhythmatic impact that is sensational. I really do like it but I can't give you one intellectual or cultural reason why you will like it too. But I'm almost certain that you will. This is no different than liking opera but knowing little or no Italian. I recommend buying this CD, closing your eyes and just letting enjoyment seep in.AFTERTHOUGHT: Note that the CD offering - what I reviewed - and the MP3 offered next to it have nothing to do with each other. Amazon seems to share reviews for tomatoes with those for goat.

I have not stop listening to this tape. I love it.

Quick delivery and great music!

There are many different styles in this compilation, making it an educational, and interesting CD, if not entirely satisfying .Track # 1 is a lovely, slow instrumental piece by a 19th century Turkish composer. It has a tranquil feel to it, and since I seem to have an affinity for Turkish music, this is one of my choice selections.Tracks 2, 6, and 11 are from Pakistan, and though music from this area tends to be a little frantic for my taste, these are excellent examples, with the fabulous Sabri Brothers, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who is perhaps the most world renown musician on this CD.Tracks 3, 4 and 9 hail from Egypt, and # 9 is recited and sung by Sheikh Ahmed Barrayn, who is described as having a "broken and husky voice", and it carries a power that makes this one of the better pieces for me.Track # 5 from Morocco, is far and away my favorite piece on this disc, with a dazzling nay (a type of flute) solo that contrasts with the vocal. It is melodic and wonderful.# 7 from Iran, is an innovative, complex composition on the tanbur (a type of lute). This one is not "lite listening" and may take a few hearings to fully appreciate. # 8 from Senegal is for diverse drums, and # 10 is from Syria, and has some impressive musicianship with "dueling" zither and oud.The booklet insert has mini bios of the performers, and tells you what CDs these tracks were culled from. The overall sound is good, and total time 72'20.

One of the best rough guides. It shows the wonderful variety of music from Pakistan to Senegal, and the deep longing, the power and mystery of the sufi message. It starts with a beautiful Turkish, ancient sounding piece, followed by a wonderful qawwali by the Sabi Brothers, which builds in intensity, joy, and speed. Then there's a rousing song from yet another tradition; Arabic classical from Egypt, which highlights the conection between such Egyptian sufi music and qawwali. Another Egyptian song follows which is slow and seems like the wrong excerpt to take from a long sufi performance. It picks up again with a Moroccan track, which is quite compelling (and the same song Cheb Anouar sings as "Moulay Ibrihim" on the rough guide to rai) - but it's not really authentic gnawa music - it's a modern collaberation. Still, it's very mysterious sounding. Then there's a Pakistani sufi love song from Abida Parveen followed by a long improvisation on the dutar by Ostad Elahi, followed by West African drumming. Then there's a soulful, gruff song by a blind munshid from Egypt, and a masterful Syrian classical song which lapses into a fiery qanun solo. It closes with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.It should have been a two-dic set or something - you can't cover the sufi world in eleven tracks - but it's still got (almost) a bit of everything. Listen to it a few times before you make any judgements; most of the tracks need patience and attention to appreciate. And I'm sure this isn't for everyone. Impatient people will likely find a lot of it too slow, or boring.However, I have a complaint. The liner notes and not extraordinary, and particularly, there is rarely a mention of what the songs are about, and little backround on sufism. I really would have appreciated tranlsations of the songs, but maybe they just weren't available.So, if you like Indian or Persian or Arabic classical music, or qawwali, or , or have some patience with classical musics, this is very highly recomended.

I was curious about Sufi music after reading a book where one of the characters was listening to it so I bought the CD. I am so glad that I did as I really enjoy listening to it so I bought another CD

Not Western Music but a good listen

good over-view of sufi music and good listening, too.

A bit poppier than I expected.

An excellent collection for anyone seriously interested in eastern music.