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

A look back on the wonderful 1985 concert and its impact on Nusrat's career

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.

Purchase/Stream ‘Live at WOMAD 1985’

Feature release

Live at WOMAD 1985

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

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.

By Online Editor

Main image: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party at WOMAD Mersea Island, 20th July 1985. Photo credit: Andrew Caitlin.

Published on Fri, 26 July 19

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ‘Live at WOMAD 1985’ out today

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