Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at WOMAD 1985: Were you there?
Nusrat's concert at the festival in 1985 was the first in front of a primarily non-Asian audience
Tue, 09 April 19
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ‘Live at WOMAD 1985’ out today
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's seminal concert at WOMAD Festival in 1985 is now available for the first time on CD and vinyl. This landmark concert, unheard for 34 years, changed the perception of Sufi music to a wider audience and set Nusrat on a path to international recognition of his genius.
Four of the finest songs from the concert have been selected for this release, including a full-length 21-minute version of the iconic song ‘Allah Ho Allah Ho’. In this raw and visceral live recording, the songs extend and grow in a way that rarely happens in the studio.
This is a remarkable record of a magical event that changed the perception of Sufi music to a wider audience and set Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on a path to the international recognition of his genius.
'Ask Peter Gabriel, or any of the other long-time chieftains of WOMAD Festival, what the most memorable performance of the world music festival’s more than three decades was, and the response is always the same: a misty look in the eyes, and the words “Nusrat in ’85.”' ★★★★★ Financial Times
Paired with this release, the first recording of Khan’s music for Real World Records, his final album Night Song, is now available on vinyl for the first time. Originally released in 1996, the album was Nusrat’s second collaboration with the Canadian producer Michael Brook, following the success of Mustt Mustt in 1990.
Feature release
-
Released 26 July 2019
A remarkable record of a magical event that changed the perception of Sufi music to a wider audience and set Nusrat on a path to international recognition of his genius. The power and beauty of Nusrat’s voice comes rushing back through the years and lifts us up to the ecstatic heights of Sufi expression.
Further reading
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations for The Breath and Ríoghnach Connolly
The 2019 awards ceremony will take place in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on 16 October.
Wed, 31 July 19
9Bach on keeping the Welsh folk music alive, fresh and evolving
9Bach reflect on 10 years as a band, and adapting Welsh folk music on their debut album.
Wed, 14 August 19
10 things you must check out at this year’s WOMAD Festival
We set you on the right track with ten great tips for this year's WOMAD Festival.
Fri, 05 July 19