Rough Guide Pakistan

Various Artists
World Music Network
World | Jul 2003

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2003-08-11
[coll.] ROUGH GUIDE TO PAKISTAN
World Music Network, 2003

Yet another fine entry in the Rough Guide series, this time focusing on styles from Pakistan: qawwali devotional music, lovely "light-classical" ghazal and kaafi, and modern film-industry pop tunes. As usual, a pretty good sampler.

Fo's Picks: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11

1. 5:05 – excerpt from a song based on Sufi poetry: slow, moaning, vox+harmonium
2. 8:04 – uptempo medley of Sindhi & Punjabi poetry, excellent fem vox
3. 3:16 – fast and folksy instrumental; exciting and danceable
4. 7:07 – a very popular ghazal, relaxing and pretty; somewhat croaky fem vox.
5. 5:13 – instrumental feature for rabab (lute): lively folk melody w/drums
6. 7:19 – live ghazal excerpt, male vox w/famous accompanists on tabla & sarangi
7. 3:42 – modernized folk tune, light and happy w/male vox. Cute.
8. 4:52 – soft-edged pop rendition of a sufi hymn. Pleasantly cheesy synths.
9. 4:29 – patriotic song, blending a trad source with bouncy pop trappings
10. 4:11 – big pop hit: bubbly beat, cute horns, and [I'm told] funny lyrics
11. 4:09 – 1950s film music: very cool fem vox and mystery atmosphere w/strings
12. 10:40 – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan excerpt. Great, but it fades without ending! Grrr!

[ Fo ] - 8/11/03

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15 MIles til SundaySep 12, 2003
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Charting

2003-08-18 — 2003-10-20 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
Sep 14 1
Sep 7 1
Aug 24 3

Track listing

1. Mera Isqh Bhi Tu
2. Yaar Di Gharoli
3. Popular Melodies
4. Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo
5. Traditional Pashtoun Song
6. Thumri in Raag Desh
7. Guzray Zameney Waley
8. Jhullay Lal
9. Dil Na Lagay
10. Lift Kara De
11. Jis Din Se Piya
12. Aj Rang Hai Hai Maa