By Jeff Monk
If you feel a hankering to expose yourself to a completely new and unfamiliar set of listening experiences then we recommend the first-rate Music of Central Asia CD/DVD sets, available from the always generously detailed Smithsonian Folkways series.
This music is from the geographically murky regions that lie north of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, formerly part of the all-encompassing Soviet Union.
—
For centuries, the people here have believed that music and those who convey culture through music hold a respectable and distinct place in society – unlike Western pop machinery pap and all it represents. These three sets, all unique yet linked geographically, represent a full range of religious, historical and social meaning that have been handed down over time and are now on the brink of being lost. Thankfully, The Aga Khan Trust has supported The Smith in tracking down these artists and getting them recorded and filmed, giving them at least a fighting chance at moving it all safely forward for future generations to experience as is necessary.
Listening to this music is almost like being sucked into another dimension. The instruments (weird and wonderful artifacts such as the balaban, tar, kamancha, daf, and ghijak to name a few) are all homemade gut, tin can and skin things that drone, hum, can be banged upon and basically look like they came from some lost episode of the original Star Trek series. The songs cover a mind-melting array of themes sung with the kind of passion and vocal gymnastic glee that is awe-inspiring. Half-an-hour of this stuff and you will find yourself drifting off into a half-conscious, mystical reverie that’s hard to shake – and which may have you questioning that latest Foo Fighters album purchase.
Each set includes a DVD that places the artists at home and details their individual thoughts on how they feel music can contribute to a better life. There are heart-stopping views of mountainous vistas replete with lonely goat herds and delightfully humble stone chapels from centuries past, and musical performances bordering on religious ecstasy that will weld themselves onto your brain. These sets are not for the meek or meekly curious. The well-formatted booklets included in each set detail the specific history of each track, the musical instruments used and the significance of the music .
— Jeff Monk
Source: Uptown Magazine Online
Smithsonian Link
Earlier related posts
Ismailimail 