Syrian Disco @ Glastonbury Festival

The BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury Festival 2011 seemed to include only one “World Music” artist, Omar Souleyman from Syria.  His set was a fantastic opportunity to embrace something of the spirit of the modern Syrian music format which was one guy on synths (playing both traditional melodic riffs  and percussive fills) and a Setar player doubling up on the riffs, and Omar himself who was not so much the lead singer, but the charismatic front man who was the face of the music, occasionally giving shououts to himself or singing a little riff on the main melody line.  Most of all he was looking cool in his shades and middle eastern attire .

The sonic spectrum of electronica that they were using are characterised by the basic and rawness that is typical of modern middle eastern popular music. Keyboards must be able to use Quarter tones in order to play the traditional melodic riffs and bigger synthesiser manufacturers like Korg, Roland & Yamaha do not market synths with quarter tone capability, so its down to smaller manufacturers like GEM to cater for the Specialist Middle Eastern / Arabic music markets. Our Moroccan musician friends have a special additional pad plugged into their GEM keyboard, that was used to shift tunings on the main keyboard, allowing them to reach all the notes they needed for each composition.

Of course, in many ways I would have preferred to hear these tunes played by a 15 piece Arabic Ensemble with Oud, Setar, Tar, Daf and Doumbak. But part of the raw charm of the music comes form being part of the typical sound of Arabic Pop.

Photos by Valerio Berdini

Buy the album from Omar Souleyman on the awesome label, Sublime Frequencies.

Omar Souleyman: Jazeera Nights

Download the Album

Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan presents Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet

The old masters of the arts are so called for good reason. Their ability to demonstrate their skill or craft is undoubtable so in the case of musicians this leaves us with one option; to be enchanted, enthralled and enraptured as they weave their dazzling tapestries of song and musical joy.  In Delhi, the 3 day program Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet took place at the Sri Sathya Sai international centre (Sai Auditorium).  The program featured eminent Vocalists and Instrumentalists of India’s main proponent of the Indian Classical Music traditions. Artists such as Zakir Hussain, Channulal Mishra, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande & Shujaat Hussain Khan graced the event to weave a tapestry of magical music.

Channulal Mishra

To hear the magical tones of Channulal Mishra in the performance space, was a dream come true, as it was the first time I had the chance to enjoy this legendary singer although I had already been blessed enough to take a few music lessons with him in 2008.  To hear some of my favourite pieces performed live, in the magical spell of Sai Auditorium, with about 1500 other devoted attendees was such total magic.  He sang a variety of well known classics from his repertoire including a Mira bhai poem and a Hanuman Bhajan.  At the end everyone was crying for a the title track from the “Holi Ke Rang” album. This beautiful album was released by DEVI FOUNDATION which is a  not for profit organization was set up in New Delhi in 2003.   The Foundation’s leading objectives are the preservation and enhancement of the arts, and support to under privileged woman and children.

The unique level of sweetness that Channulal exhudes is beyond belief.  He has a unique tone in his voice that is so mellow, so purifying and so lively all at once. Soothing and energising in unison, a true celestial ceremony of Song.  Long may His musical magic continue to resound so beautifully.

Ashwini Bhide

Another legendary proponent of Indian Classical Music came to the stage the following day.  Her effortless perfection created a fluidity of space that opened up sonic vistas.  Time and space seemed to yield to her command as the complexities of sound were unravelled before our very ears!  We were all blissed beyond belief and the cares of the world seemed to melted away as the Taans opened up like a lotus blossom, revealing the very essence of Indian Classical Music.

Programme :
17th December 2010 :
Vinay Bharat-Ram – Vocal
Aashish Khan – Sarod
(S/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
Zakir Hussain Khan – Tabla

18th December 2010:
Uma Sharma – Kathak
Channulal Mishra – Vocal
Mehmood Dholpuri – Harmonium
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – Mohan Veena

19th December 2010:
Alam Khan – Sarod
(S/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – Vocal
Shujaat Hussain Khan – Sitar

Bharitiya Sangeet, the arts & dance school which organises this event.

http://www.uma-sharma.com/bhartiya_sangeet_sadan.asp

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We are delighted to share news of our good friend and fellow musician Tinoush Bahrami featuring at this Traditional Persian Music concert.  The Magham Ensemble will see Tar, Setar, Oud, Percussion and Vocal playing together in this rare opportunity to enjoy Persian music.  Magham Ensemble concentrates on Iranian regional and magham music, and not the Dastgah and Radif system.

Highly Recommended musical magic which will see all benefits from the program going to a very good cause.  Unfortunately the concert is only open to students and University staff, however a guest can accompany a student or staff member of The University of Manchester.  So…. it’s time to befriend a student at Manchester University!

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