Customer Reviews

Quest

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This is an extraordinary album. It is "spiritual" in the truest sense of the word. The artist is obviously an accomplished musician with an intimate understanding of Persian classical music but he departs from traditional lines to play from the heart, with inspiration and passion. The result is an intoxicating blend of deep mystical longings and consummate rapture. True to the Sufi tradition he aims high and delivers.

Koushkani is a colorful and accomplished Tar player who will remain in the ranks of the great Persian instrumentalist with their own style. A style that has elements of some of the great Tar players: some passages reminiscent of Houshang Zarif's style, hints of Lotfi, and at one point some Russian balalaika influence, as well as Turkmen style Doh-Tar. Koushkani has created a mélange with a definite signature of his own style fusing all these styles under one roof. The result is a refreshing, original, and authentic piece. His vocal style in parts is in tandem with the Tar melodies and intonations, which is a first time innovation.

The only shortcoming is when the CD finishes abruptly at the end of Track 7 (last Track). Quest is not a melodic story that should end with the first CD, it should have been followed by Quest 2, 3, etc. to expand on the same ideas and innovations. Koushkani's productions after Quest have not been as audacious or aggressive as Quest, with a possible exception of Parvaneh, with the legendary Diva, Khatereh Parvaneh (remakes of her old songs). Koushkani owes it to the traditional Persian music world to pick up and continue where he started in Quest. We are all waiting for the rest of the story.