Love & Devotion

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Released 09 November 1992

  1. Woh Hata Rahe Hain Pardah
  2. Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae
  3. Biba Sada Dil Morr De
  4. Yaadan Vichhre Sajan Dian Aiyan
  5. Sanson Ki Mala Pey
  6. Un Ke Dar Pen Pohchne To Payen
  7. Allah Hoo Allah Hoo
  8. Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka
  9. Haq Ali Ali Haq
  10. Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam
  11. Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae
  12. Ni Main Jogi De Naal

Liner notes

The qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has always be something of a totem figure both to Real World Records and its sister organisation WOMAD, gracing their respective recording studios and stages on many occasions. Appreciation of that mesmerising, undulating voice has been declared far and wide, probably most famously by Jeff Buckley who once described Nusrat as ‘my Elvis’. Until his premature death in 1997, Nusrat was a phenomenally prolific performer, a man saluted by the Guinness Book Of Records for the staggering number of albums he recorded, an amount well into three figures.

Love & Devotion brings together two of the truly finest recordings from that teetering pile— the two 1992 records for Real World, Love Songs and Devotional Songs. They are perfect companion pieces, snapshots of a musical giant at the very height of his considerable powers. The artistry of his accompanying Party is faultless, a perfect balance of bubbling tabla drums, weaving harmonium melodies, handclaps and ensemble singing. But this is merely the frame for the masterpiece itself —the great man’s unearthly voice, whether ascending with power and commitment or cascading like a shower of glorious musical pearls.

Reviews

  • The elevation in spirit intended by this mystical and inspirational music needs no translating. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was the man who brought the Sufi devotional music Qawwali to the masses thanks to extraordinary voice that transcended cultural barriers with its beauty and power. ★★★★★ Record Collector (UK)
  • After a decade or more of imitators, it is absolutely delightful to hear the real thing again —the maestro at the height of his powers... ★★★★ Songlines Magazine (UK)
  • This is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in his full glory with his regular accompanists of family members and friends, giving free rein to his truly exceptional vocal expression on the ghazal and qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufi. ★★★★ R2 Magazine (UK)

Listen

Credits

The Musicians:
Majahid Mubarak Ali Khan: Nusrat’s cousin and senior member of the group
Farakh Fateh Ali Khan: Nusrat’s younger brother, Lead Singer and Harmonium Player
Mohammed Iqbal Naqbi: Chorus Singer, Secretary of the group
Maqsood Hussain: Lead Singer
Rahmat Ali: 2nd Harmonium Player
Asad Ali: Chorus Singer
Dildar Hussain: Tabla Player
Ghulam Fareed: Chorus Singer
Kaukab Ali: Chorus Singer
Rahat Ali: Pupil Singer, 10 years old
Majawar Abbas: Mandolin, Guitar

All songs written and arranged by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Except Ni Main Jogi De Naal lyrics by Baba Bulla Shah

Recorded at Fair Deal Studios, Middlesex
Engineered by Bari Watts

A Real World Design by Marc Bessant
Front cover ‘Pro-Tem (Still Rains and Reigns)’ by Russell Mills © 1990
This panel ‘In Gathering Trance’ by Russell Mills © 1990
Left hand panel ‘ Swoop: Antenna’ by Russell Mills © 1988
Photographed by David Buckland
Photography of Nusrat and Party by Ishida Masataka

Special thanks to Mohammed Ayyub at Oriental Star Agencies Ltd

All tracks published by WOMAD Music Ltd/EMI Music Publishing Ltd

Further Listening

  • Shahen Shah

    Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

    Released 04 June 1989

    The emotional intensity and soaring power of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice transcends all boundaries of language and religion, and has popularised Sufi music beyond Muslim peoples to audiences worldwide. Amongst Real World Records’ most emblematic artists, Nusrat was known as Shahen-Shah-e-Qawwali: The Brightest Shining Star in Qawwali.
  • Mustt Mustt

    Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook

    Released 12 November 1990

    The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is today acknowledged as the great master of Qawwali who popularised this beautiful and inspirational music beyond Muslim peoples to a worldwide audience. Mustt Mustt is the first of two albums on which the singer collaborates with Canadian producer Michael Brook to place the music in a contemporary setting.

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