Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is actually not a bad CD. What really bugs me about this is the way it is marketed. This, like just about all of Nusrat's CDs, is full of magnificent qawwali music. This is sacred Pakistani sufi music. It is inspiring, and even mesmerizing. You would't have a CD of "Top 10 Prayers", so, having this sacred CD of religious music being marketed as a "greatest hits" CD is preposterous. This record company should be ashamed of themselves. Further, this CD isn't really a collection of "famous Nusrat songs". Yes the songs on here are good, but, basically, all the record company (Shanachie) did was license an old tape of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's from Pakistan, and called it "Greatest Hits" to fool American buyers.

If you want one of his best traditional qawwali recordings, go for REAL WORLD'S CD, SHAHEN SHAH, or the Live Boxed Set on OCORA. If you want Nusrat's hits (he had some great pop-remixes done), then maybe MUSST MUSST is for you.

When I was first told about N.F.A.Khan I must say I was skeptical. People were saying that this guy had the best voice they had ever heard. Being a newspaper reporter that reviews CDs, one quickly becomes weary of being told "this guy is great!" I'm familiar with the likes of Pavarotti and other great western singers, so I seriously doubted this. I don't like to compare things that are too different to be able to weigh against one another in an intelligent fashion, but I will tell you this much - N.F.A. Khan is every much Pavarotti's equal and maybe better. The intensity with which Khan renders his improvisations is absolutely astounding. The first track on this album "Haq Ali Ali" (which clocks in at 25:00) absolutely had my head and heart spinning the first time I heard it. I think it is the fact that most great music stems from religious inspiration. I'm a Christian, but I think someone of any faith could appreciate the fervor, devotion, sincerity and passion with which these pieces are rendered. The four pieces on this album are all "pure" Qawwali, not the watered-down experiments with Michael Brook, or anything from the Bollywood or Lollywood (Indian and Pakistani movie industries respectively) soundtracks. This is the good stuff. Khan's voice soars, swells and undulates in frentic waves of ecstasy. This will be a welcome addition to any record collection. I literally cannot think of anyone I've let hear this music that hasn't loved it immediately. I do see where it could sound strange at first to some, but be patient and remember, the greatest rewards are not easily won...

For those of you who aren't familiar with who he is, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a Qawwali singer, i.e. one who sings in raw emotion to the omnipotent God, and is a very unique style of music. This particular CD is just that. It's got all the raw stuff(tambla), just like Qawali music when it was born around the death of Muhammad. Be you a sufi or a muslim or christian or whatever, his music is still appropriate for everyone. It speaks to the heart and from the heart, and the almost impossible translations of the metaphorical lyrics are beautiful. Growing up listening to N.F.A.K, I would say this is a CD EVERYONE should own.

If you are open to unusual music and are willing to invest a little time, this is a great CD. Nusrat is an incredible vocalist, one of the best you will ever hear. His music has almost-African-type rhythms, call-and-response, unusual time signatures, and is imbued with a passionate intensity. I have hundreds of CDs, yet I always find time to listen to this one every other week.

Nusret Fateh Ali Khan is without a doubt the Elvis Presley of Qawali.He has a golden voice that encapsulates any,and I mean any audience combined with some brilliant Oriental Pakistani music from an excellent band of musicians.He adds a different dimension to the music industry and if any of you have wondered what the unique brand of music called Qawali sounded like,I highly recommend that you purchase this wonderful collection by this great musician.Many do not understand the language it is sung in,but in this album a song like Mangte Hain Karam(my favourite) with the man's sublime voice and the excellent melody of music by his band means that this cd and the vol.2 cd are a must have in any album collection.

Having acquired a taste for Nusrat's music only recently, I find that this album brings out his vintage best. Pure, almost surreal music. Hypnotic, lyrical and with gradient percussion. Of course, in large part the music is powerful because the lyrics are. The concept of "yaar" which is ever present in the Sufi music, is elevated to a divine, non-human level. In one lyric, "yaar" is almost above God, at least in the eyes of the devotee.

But profound meaning aside, listeners will truly relish Nusrat's vocal scale, his ability to "move" you emotionally as he develops the theme of the song in perfect cadence with the pitch and tempo of his music.

Introduction of raga-based melodies, adapted for Qwalli style singing is also an innovation not found with many Qwalls.

Definitely a keeper.

Greatest Hits as the album cover is a trifle disingenuous. I shudder to think of future compiliations titled Greatest Hits XVIII or something like that. For the first time buyer, The title might be tempting.Quawwal is the sort of Rock N'Roll more like the southern gospel music, it intends to transport the listener in to the state of rapture. Nusrat as an introduction to this form of spiritual experience is a great idea. Just type "Nusrat" on wikipedia and you will see how quawwali is laid out and the songs extol the virtues of God and the sacrifices of imam so just feel the words as extolling your God and let go... As porn can stimulate the sexual arousal in some at the other end of the spectrum Quawwal can induce rapture in many ...(ok ok I know I am bordering on sacrilege). I also recommend Saabri brothers. They may lack the explosive quality of the Shahenshah "king of kings" but are divine.

I wrote down Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan about 5 years ago. Apparently I had heard one by this artist back then that appealed to me. Well, I finally decided I'd waited long enough to get it, and so, even though my money was tight, I said, "What the heck; I'm going to finally get it!" I couldn't wait to hear it. Boy, was I disappointed! It's been a BIG mistake! I am now going to return it. Maybe one of the others is good, but I definitely would not recommend this one!!

Nusrat is the greatest. he's the 2pac of qawwali....... he's one of the only two wonderful things pakistan has given to this world..other one being Ghulam ali, is second to nusrat in my ratings.... i'm a passionate collector of music. Though i hate to rate this Nusrat CD less than 5 stars but i did it because this is still not the best you can get from Nusrat. I am an Indian Hindu, i understand most of his qawwalis as hindi is quite similar to urdu when heard. To know more outstanding tracks from nusrat or any other, ask me for suggestions. deejay_uppercut@yahoo.com

YA ALI MADAD TO ALL OF YOU I AM A ONE OF THE GRATE FAN OF NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN.I SAY,S THAT HE IS THE GRATEST QAWWAL OF THE WORLD.NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN IS HAIDERY MALANG.I LIKE ALI ALI IN HIS QAWWALI,S.