Simon Emmerson (1956–2023)
Peter Gabriel remembers the life and musical career of Simon Emmerson.
Fri, 17 March 23
Released 09 November 1992
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.
Gallery
Further Listening
Released 04 June 1989
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook
Released 12 November 1990
Peter Gabriel remembers the life and musical career of Simon Emmerson.
Fri, 17 March 23
The album features an impressive cast of collaborators including Moonchild Sanelly and David Walters
Wed, 26 April 23
BAFTA & Olivier award-winning composer Jocelyn Pook releases Jungle Book reimagined on Real World X.
Wed, 08 March 23
Jane Cornwell explores our new reissue series 'Africa Sessions at Real World'.
Wed, 25 May 22