Customer Reviews

Lion of Panjshir

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What do you get when you combine a California singer/songwriter with a group of old Afghan men playing ancient instruments and throw film director David Lynch into the mix? What you get is Ariana Delawari's impressive debut CD Lion of Panjshir, a surreal blend of east and west, ancient and contemporary, and eternal truths.

Delawari grew up in the Los Angeles area, the daughter of Afghan immigrants. After the fall of the Taliban, her parents returned to their native country to help in its rebuilding. Ariana journeyed to their home in Kabul to record her songs, accompanied by local musicians whose work had been suppressed by the anti-music Taliban. The result is an exotic sound, almost hypnotic sound, along with defiant lyrics championing freedom.

Delawari's message is sometimes direct, as in her song "Be Gone Taliban," other times obscure as in the Afghan song "Laily Jan." In addition to the Kabul recordings are other numbers that reflect Delawari's American upbringing. The opening song, "San Francisco," is a rollicking, rocking tribute to the era of Janis Joplin. The timely closing number, "We Came Home," reminds us that America is a "nation born of immigration": "Up through the war, through darker days a movement born /
We came home/Home to our souls ... We were runnin' free/ Catchin' the waves of the of the unknown / We came home / Out in the storm our songs made rainbows so they'd know the way home."

Lynch's influence as producer is most apparent in "Suspend Me," with an eerily ethereal quality that sounds right out of "Twin Peaks" or one of the director's movies. All in all, Lion of Panjhir is a uniquely interesting ride.

Hi Everyone,

I heard about this CD on NPR. I ordered it as soon as I got home and I am so in love with the songs. Delawari did a great job on combining Afghan music with the lyrics. I recommended this album to all my friends. It is especially so nice to listen to it while driving in a cloudy rainy day :)

Best...

I first heard a track being played on NPR, and loved it immediately. A superb integration of east with west, new with old, psychedelic with new age. I play the CD constantly. Now a core part of my collection, especially when friends come over.