Qawwali: Sufi Music of Pakistan

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Qawwali, produced by David Lewiston, was recorded in the United States in April 1978, while the Sabri Brothers & Ensemble were on their second acclaimed tour of the United States. The New York Times called it “the aural equivalent of dancing dervishes," citing the music's "rhapsodic declaimed verses and full-bodied unison chorus” and further describing it as "music of feeling."

Description

Qawwali, produced by David Lewiston, was recorded in the United States in April 1978, while the original nine-man group was on its second acclaimed tour of the United States. When Qawwali was originally issued, John Rockwell of the New York Times called it “the aural equivalent of dancing dervishes," citing its "rhapsodic declaimed verses and full-bodied unison chorus,” and further describing it as "music of feeling."

Popular film and recording artists in their native country, the Sabri Brothers & Ensemble have toured Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Although Ghulam Farid Sabri passed away in 1994, the ensemble, under the leadership of Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, continues to perform throughout the world.

About Qawwali

The qawwal is a singer or singing musician (in Arabic, “one who speaks well”) of the Chishti tradition of India and Pakistan. Qawwali is linked with the history of the Chishti Order, which was founded in Chisht, in Khurasan, and brought to the Indian subcontinent in the 12th century. Qawwali, from the Arabic word qual, meaning utterance, are the songs intended to stimulate religious ecstasy and trance. The qawwal voices the spiritual message of Sufism, a mystical extension of Islam.

Qawwali music has been developed from the inversion of Indian ragas: vocals and harmoniums are layered on top of rhythm. The vocals reach their greatest intensity when some of the singers take turns singing while the others are breathing. This creates the illusion that they are singing without taking a breath. The harmoniums operate in the same way.

Qawwali is the music of the Sufis, and the message is love. The language of love and unrequited love is the ghazal, a popular poetic form. In a society where the sexes are segregated and marriages are arranged with no regard to love, the ghazal has an audience of millions who identify with its meaning.

The most popular exponent of the qawwali tradition, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, helped to create an audience for the Sabri Brothers and other qawwals. His work with artists as diverse as Michael Brook, Jeff Buckley, and Pearl Jam brought recognition to the art of qawwali throughout the world.

 

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced and engineered by David Lewiston
Recorded April 1978 in New York
Mastered by Robert c. Ludwig
Coordinator: Teresa Sterne

Art direction and design: John Costa, New Orleans
Cover photos: Roger Granat

Nonesuch Selection Number

72080

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
ns_album_artistid
96
ns_album_id
276
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Sabri Brothers
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Ghulam Farid Sabri, voice, harmonium
Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, voice, harmonium
Kamal Sabri, voice
Mahmoodghaznavi, voice
Umer Daraz, voice
Abdul Aziz, voice
Masi Huddin, voice, tanpura
Mohammad Anwar, nal, tabla
Abdul Karim, dholak

reissues?
reissues
Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
Price
0.00
UPC
075597208023BUN
Label
MP3
Price
9.00
UPC
603497198368
  • 72080

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  • About This Album

    Qawwali, produced by David Lewiston, was recorded in the United States in April 1978, while the original nine-man group was on its second acclaimed tour of the United States. When Qawwali was originally issued, John Rockwell of the New York Times called it “the aural equivalent of dancing dervishes," citing its "rhapsodic declaimed verses and full-bodied unison chorus,” and further describing it as "music of feeling."

    Popular film and recording artists in their native country, the Sabri Brothers & Ensemble have toured Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Although Ghulam Farid Sabri passed away in 1994, the ensemble, under the leadership of Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, continues to perform throughout the world.

    About Qawwali

    The qawwal is a singer or singing musician (in Arabic, “one who speaks well”) of the Chishti tradition of India and Pakistan. Qawwali is linked with the history of the Chishti Order, which was founded in Chisht, in Khurasan, and brought to the Indian subcontinent in the 12th century. Qawwali, from the Arabic word qual, meaning utterance, are the songs intended to stimulate religious ecstasy and trance. The qawwal voices the spiritual message of Sufism, a mystical extension of Islam.

    Qawwali music has been developed from the inversion of Indian ragas: vocals and harmoniums are layered on top of rhythm. The vocals reach their greatest intensity when some of the singers take turns singing while the others are breathing. This creates the illusion that they are singing without taking a breath. The harmoniums operate in the same way.

    Qawwali is the music of the Sufis, and the message is love. The language of love and unrequited love is the ghazal, a popular poetic form. In a society where the sexes are segregated and marriages are arranged with no regard to love, the ghazal has an audience of millions who identify with its meaning.

    The most popular exponent of the qawwali tradition, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, helped to create an audience for the Sabri Brothers and other qawwals. His work with artists as diverse as Michael Brook, Jeff Buckley, and Pearl Jam brought recognition to the art of qawwali throughout the world.

     

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Ghulam Farid Sabri, voice, harmonium
    Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, voice, harmonium
    Kamal Sabri, voice
    Mahmoodghaznavi, voice
    Umer Daraz, voice
    Abdul Aziz, voice
    Masi Huddin, voice, tanpura
    Mohammad Anwar, nal, tabla
    Abdul Karim, dholak

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced and engineered by David Lewiston
    Recorded April 1978 in New York
    Mastered by Robert c. Ludwig
    Coordinator: Teresa Sterne

    Art direction and design: John Costa, New Orleans
    Cover photos: Roger Granat