Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Devotional Songs

Recorded in the wake of the late Khan's triumphant performance at the 1985 WOMAD festival, this collection features the lighter, folkier side of the Pakistani classical music singer's repertoire. Accompanied by his nine-member "party" on acoustic guitar, mandolin, and a full complement of tabla and harmonium, Khan unleashes typically stunning vocal phrases marked by blinding speed, cutting tone, and unearthly ornamentation. The infectious "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka", with lyrics in praise of Muhammed, finds the qawwali singer at his most effervescent, while the ghazal (love song) "Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae" features an insistent hand-clapped rhythm and the full Party chorus singing together in unison. - by James Rotondi, Amazon.co.uk

If you would like to truly experience the transcendent power of rythm, harmony and the human voice, and to explore some of the deeper recesses of the human spirit at the same time, then you really MUST listen to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and his group. I first experienced Nusrat some 10 years or so ago on Channel 4 while late-night channel surfing. In an instant I was rooted to my chair, my remote-control hand frozen in mid-air. NEVER had I heard anything so utterly and literally entrancing. Indeed, without understanding a word of what was being sung, I involuntarily found myself on my feet, eyes closed, arms up, swaying and shuffling to the music. It was only when I fell over the coffee table that I came to my senses enough to scribble 'Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan' on a piece of paper. This was music I had been waiting my entire life to hear. So it seemed to me then, and so it does still. This really is so much more than music. Truly, truly, listening to this incredible human being is a spiritual experience. If your ears and your brain are susceptible to such things, it will enrapture you, transporting you with pleasure to another plane of experience. Which, of course, is precisely what Qawwali music has been crafted to do, over the course of eight centuries or so. This CD was the first one I acquired (a complete stab in the dark) and it turned out to be a superb choice. For me, the track highlights are Allah Hoo, Ali Maula, Ni Main Jogi and, particularly, Ali Haq, which has the most exquisite slow-building lead-in you'll ever hear. If you're looking for an introduction to the work of the great man and his group, I can think of no better choice than this CD, and for existing fans who have not yet heard these versions of the above mentioned tracks, I would urge you to try them. This music will change your life! Very very highly recommended. - by  Wilf, Amazon.com

Artist: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Album: Devotional Songs
Year: 1988
Label: Real World (1992)
Runtime: 45:11

Tracks:
1.  Allah Hoo ALlah Hoo 7:57
2.  Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka 7:36
3.  Haq Ali Ali Haq 7:23
4.  Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam 7:44
5.  Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae 6:21
6.  Ni Main Jogi De Naal 8:10
All compositions by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, except 6th: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan/Baba Bukka Shah

Personnel:
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Lead Vocals)
Rahmat Ali (Harmonium [2nd])
Maqsood Hussain (Lead Vocals)
Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan (Lead Vocals, Harmonium)
Dildar Hussain (Tabla)
Mujahid Mubarik Ali Khan (Vocals)
Rahat Ali Khan (Vocals [Pupil])
Majawar Abbas (Mandolin, Guitar)
Mohammed Iqbal Naqbi (Backing Vocals)
Asad Ali (Backing Vocals)
Ghulam Fareed (Backing Vocals)
Kaukab Ali (Backing Vocals)