Devotional Songs

OK, I know I've bitched about the anglocentricity of this whole project. So I shouldn't complain too much when they branch out to something different. But damn, this sucks.

better than radiohead

I really loved this music and learning of the great esteem so many had for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, especially, but not only, in Pakistan. It's always a little humbling to realize there's so much I'm not even aware of in this world. Turns out I have listened to him performing a different recording of "Allah Hoo" on the soundtrack to "Monsoon Wedding," which I played quite a lot when it came out. There he was all this time, and me not aware of who this artist was. I do feel a certain joy and contemplation while listening, which I think just hints at what really lies behind his music.

The Spotify link actually leads to the double-release *Love Song* and *Devotional Songs*, called *Love & Devotion* for that reissue. But given Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan's protean discography, it's not a problem to spend a little more time with him anyway... I don't know much about the Qawwali school of music Khan was the grand master of, to be honest (I have another NFAK album at home, *Mustt Mustt*--one of his crossover collaborations with Michael Brook--but it's literally been *decades* since I listened to it). And obviously I can't understand the words Nusrat sang. Yet it's funny how "love songs" sounded like genuine "devotional songs" to me (and vice-versa). After I've listened to those two records, I've read some stuff online suggesting the two formats are actually deeply related to each other, so I wasn't that far off the mark, I guess. In a way, "love" and "devotion" are interchangeable here, even if the religious or romantic contexts behind them are not (and Khan would most certainly frown upon me for doing so). Oddly enough, I tend to prefer the instrumentation and harmonies displayed on *Love Songs*, even if critics more specialized and knowledgeable that I will ever be on the subject singled out *Devotional Songs* as the slightly superior album between the two. Whatever the case may be, it's a great experience to go through them one after the next... It's always odd to select a little bit of "global" music in a list clearly centered on the Western World. Maybe each continent could have its own 1001 albums list to enhance and praise different musical traditions from all around the world. I don't know if that's a good idea, but that could at least make up for the cultural bias of this particular list. No judging here, it's a bias that I personally share with Dimery and co., even if I know it's a flaw (admittedly an unavoidable one, wherever you come from). That being said, and to return to this particular double-release, I like this man's voice. And his music is rich, entrancing and far more varied in its harmonies (along with the different emotions it triggers) than the codified tradition it draws from lets on... 4/5. It's the sort of record that makes me eager to learn more, and there are not so many of them, are they? Since I've listened to that double-album, I've dug further, and found many gems by NFAK. Listening to them, I've come to realize that the lush orchestration and the edited versions of *Love And Devotion* have their charms and serve the songs right, but that some of the other live versions of those compositions out there are *way more* intense, just as they are longer and more adventurous. Feeling like I'm falling into a wonderful rabbit hole here. Thanks, Dimery and co. :) Number of albums left to review: 585 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 199 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 95 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 123

If I had to torture someone for exactly 1.5 hours I would simply play them this album.

The title doesn't lie here. I can hear the devotion in Khan's voice, and it's a major reason why the music is as good as it is. This is a deeply passionate collection of songs that shouldn't be overlooked by any fan of world music. Ali Khan's voice is an emotional beckoning.

The Pakistani Paul Simon

This was something new and different. I was a bit concerned that it might grow a bit tiresome, but it definitely did not. Outstanding!

It made me want to get up and shuffle with my fist on my forehead.

This is a wonderful album, every song had me tuned in. I feel sorry for people who can’t appreciate this kind of thing. I’ve found that listening to something outside of your own language lets you connect on a deeper level to the music. I loved listening to this and will be back for more!

It's very difficult to find this. He appears to have recorded about eleventy million albums, a significant portion of them posthumously. Which is impressive indeed. What I've managed to find, I've enjoyed. So let's go for 4.

Once you spend some time with it you see why it belongs on this list.

As a lover of music, I can appreciate it. And the vocals are really great

Nice to be exposed to it. Apparently it is called Qawwali . Very different than what I am used to, but at the same time, definitely not alien, there is a familiarity with it that transcends language. 3.5 but would give it 4 for the novelty.

Me: "Knock, knock." Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: "Who's there?" Me: "Allah." Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: "Allah Hoo, Allah Hoo, Allah Hooooooo?" Me: "Allah your songs are a little too long, but otherwise gently hypnotic, stunningly sung, and very enjoyable. Thank you for showing me the wonders of Qawwali music: it's three stars from me. P.S: Amazing work on Peter Gabriel's 'Signal to Noise'!"

Not too devoted to it

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Devotional Songs Honestly, Qawwali isn't really my thing, I don't really listen to religious songs, specially to those who are not from my beliefs, but instead of using that as an excuse to not listen to this album, I just went for it and listen it for what it is, and I ended up liking this album WAY more than I initially thought so. 6 songs, but all of them surpass 7 minutes of time length, this album offers the catchiest tunes you could listen to, the instrumentals and the harmonies go hand in hand beautifully and the choruses make you want to dance and groove on the song. In my case, I don't speak arabic, so I don't know the lyrics that he's singing, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless, this is great! 1.- Allah Hoo Allah Hoo = 9/10 2.- Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka = 7/10 3.- Haq Ali Ali Haq = 8/10 4.- Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam = 9/10 5.- Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bacchae = 7/10 6.- Ni Main Jogi De Naal = 8/10 FINAL SCORE: 8/10

I haven't really sat and listened to something like this before. The worship in this music is clear. Very pleasant listen. Probably truly a 3* but "Haq Ali Ali Haq" is such a banger I think I'm going to give it 4*.

Between a 3 and a 4, rounding up because I ran out of time to listen again but I think it would improve with repeat listening and be good music to write by.

Irgendwie nicht so meins. Und doch war ich fasziniert. Habe die Platte durchgehört und es hat mir gefallen.

"Nusrat, he's my Elvis!" I first heard of this guy on a Jeff Buckley live album - apparently he was obsessed with the guy. Buckley even did a couple of live covers if I remember correctly, I'll have to dig that album out again. I listened to him a big at the time, but then kinda forgot about him. This is a bit of a hard one to find, he has a ton of albums on Spotify and Tidal. I couldn't find this one initially, so started listening to a YouTube playlist of the songs. But that kept stopping, so I had another look and found the album "Love and Devotion", which seems to have the same songs and the same album artwork shown in the 1001 entry above. So, not completely sure I'm listening to the right album. Regardless, what I'm listening to is surprisingly great! I don't speak the language, so have no real context for the lyrics, but they are apparently religious. Being an atheist, I suspect the translation might make me cringe, but they are delivered with such passion and musical talent that I can appreciate it. Some of the songs are very danceable as well. What more could you want? "Allah Hoo" indeed.

growing up on bollywood movies and music, sufi music like what's found in devotional songs is old hat to me! what is new to me, however, is nusrat fateh ali khan himself. he brought international recognition to qawwali music, sufi islamic devotional singing. despite dying quite young, his legacy lives on with how he continues to inspire young musicians today. from personal experience, this kind of music has appeared many, many times in south asian films since his death in 1997. his early death makes me wonder what kind of contributions he could've continued to provide to bollywood films! anyway, as far as this album goes, its music is serene and blissful. the vocals pack an emotional punch, even when you can't understand the lyrics. some may call this style of music repetitive, but religious singing always is--the singers want to express their love for their god(s)! outside of the singing, the instrumentation is good. using south asian instruments, the music has a consistent, rhythmic beat that acts as a trance. but since singing is the main focus of this music, it should be and is dominating over the instruments.

Really interesting and unexpected. Beautiful.

You know, I don't know what they are saying in this music, nor do I really have much of an idea of how to describe it. It's really cool, though, how music can be so unfamiliar in terms of its language, structure, and instruments, and yet be so accessible. It's just a great listen, and Khan has an incredible voice 4/5

ДЖИМИ-ДЖИМИ АЧА-АЧА

Jag kan inte ta mig igenom det här. Hur kommer det sig att den här plattan finns med på listan och inte Levellers - Levelling the Land? Eller Rammstein - Mutter? Eller Kula Shaker - K? Eller Poesie Noire - Tetra? Eller The Neon Judgement - Horny as hell? Trisomie 21 - Million lights? 23 Till - Nöjd? Skinny Puppy - Rabies? Aimless Device - Hard to be Nice? Nationalteatern - Barn av vår tid? Melanie - Affectionately Melanie? Buffy Sainte-Marie - It's my way? Steeleye Span - Hark! The Village wait? Kite - VI? Simon Brehm - Big Simon? A Split Second - From the inside? Henric De La Cour - Henric De La Cour?

How can anyone give this anything other than 1 star? It's complete shite.

🐶💩

Got a headache about 25 minutes in. What a racket

What a banger. If this doesn't get you pumped I don't know what will. This makes me feel like I'm there with everybody coming together in the joy of music. And the PLAYING?!?!?! Impeccable. Apprently Nusrat can sing like this for hours on end. What a fuckin legend

The sound is HUGE on this album. Very full rich tones with gorgeous vocals. I have no idea what we are giving devotion too, but this album is fantastic.

I used to have a mix with some of this stuff, but no names so I could really find it again. This is so joyous!

THIS IS. SOMETHING. INCREDIBLE. PURE ENERGY. DIVINE.

...hulka hulka suroor

Loved it, it felt like hearing someone wield their voice like a guitar and solo with it - that and just very pleasant listening with a great energy. Will happily listen again! :)

Qawalli is amazing.

Honestly? Banger after banger

Mesmerising, meditative and hypnotic music. The more I listened to it the more I got into it and thought I could listen to it for a few more hours. It may sound repetitive, but the song structures and singing are complex. I enjoyed it very much and I'm glad and album from Asia - Pakistan is included on this heavily American/UK-centric list. To any of those who hated this album: the world is extremely diverse musically and if someone does this challenge their ears and mind should be open to new sounds, even if it's not familiar to them and it's world music, which is very different from pop/rock/hip-hop/electronica. If it's quality - whatever the music comes from - it should be appreciated.

Heavenly

Uplifting and strikingly beautiful. I get why this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I could listen for hours. And some of these songs really do feel that long!

I was genuinely surprised how much I liked this.

Love love love! Qawwali at its best. His voice is blues and opera swirling together.

Very powerful music- searching yet joyous.

I don't know what he's saying, but this man can take a single phrase, and spin infinite variations out of it. Splendid! Consider me devoted. 5 prayers up to the heavens out of 5

I grooved to this all day long. Wish I could understand the language.

I’ve never listed to this type of music before. Only heard it in the background of a restaurant. I have to say this was surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable. I can safely say that this is my favourite qawwali album of all time. Brilliant!

I hadn't listened to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for well over 25 years. Beautiful voice with music that makey mind travel

neat Pakistani singer

I first heard about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Jeff Buckley who said that "he's my Elvis" and I always thought that was a very interesting way to put it. I never really liked Elvis and would take Nusrat any day. Wonderful music on this record. I get that it's not for everyone but I am glad to see it included here. Chances are anyone who is only vaguely familiar with qawwali music heard it from Nusrat. Unbelievable vocals on this album, though I can't understand what he's saying but you don't really have to. The man could sing. And the energy in this recording can really be felt. Even though I wouldn't listen to this all the time, I still have to give it 5/5 because it is a brilliant record that everyone should certainly hear at least once.

where’s the gif of that white cat bobbing it’s head with its eyes closed. me af with these jams. this is absolutely the kind of thing i’d bump into just typing the names of random countries into spotify’s search but what a *voice* this man has. grateful to have been introduced to it. (and, admittedly, grateful to be listening to an artist from Anywhere But the US or the UK) the entry about this album in the book is a little weird.

The vocals are astonishing, soaring and elegant and powerful and the interplay between voice and percussion adds so many layers to the sound. I feel ill judged to rate this - however, I found it moving, catchy and incredible.

This is fantastic. Albums like this are why I started listening to this list. Never heard of this artist before. I'd like to be in a restaurant sitting on pillows, eating and listening to a band playing this type of music. This album makes me want to travel.

Really beautiful stuff - an amazing singer and great band. I like some of his stuff with electronic beats a little better but this is really moving music.

Dope ass album.

I also discovered Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan via the Natural Born Killers soundtrack and this is the first time I've really dug in since then. A great album each track awesome.

Great stuff! I wasn't too familiar with this specific album, but I love some of his other stuff, and have been a fan since he appeared in the "Natural Born Killers" soundtrack. Qawwali has a lovely hypnotic cinematic quality - I could happily listen to it all day. Fave track - "Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam" let's say, but it doesn't make a great deal of sense to pick individual tracks off this album...

😄🍹👍🏻

Very powerful voice and hypnotic music i like it! caution, streaming services they had it as a double album called Love and Devotion Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party. 5

ok holy shit

true hero of African music, addictive music, can listen to this for days.

Was very surprised with this one. Absolute banger. Fully deserving of the 5/5

Very interesting rhythmically and melodically, hugely enjoyed this album and will definitely revisit!

Thats a 5

Beautiful

cool

I don’t know enough about this kind of music to say anything informed or intelligent about it but I liked it and could use a bit more love and devotion in my world.

This was a little unexpected. While maybe not my usual fare and not likely to become a part of my daily routine, I’m glad to have something like this appear on the list. Really great!

So very much not what I listen too. I can’t comment on the lyrical content given not knowing the language. Having said that I am glad there are a few albums like this on the list. Push you into sitting down and listening to something way out of your normal listening profile. I thought it would benefit from listening on my proper sound system. And it did. Wonderfully recorded and big sound. Very much worth a listen.

This kind of slaps. A music style I know nothing about, but it is pretty damn catchy. Haq Ali Ali Haq is pretty great. The drums are addicting and the chanting is never obnoxious. I liked this more than I expected and am glad I listened. No idea how this stacks up to other Pakistani music, but Nusrat feels like a good intoduction to it.

Nice find

"Devotional Songs" is a studio album by Pakistani singer-songwriter and music director Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He is know as the greatest qawwali (Sufi Islamic Devotional singing) singer of his generation. He became known to a larger Western audience through Peter Gabriel's Real World label and his performance at the 1983 WOMAD festival in London. He also worked with Eddie Vedder on two songs for the film "Dead Man Walking." "Allah Hoo Allah Hoo" opens the album. Acoustic instruments and a repeating and hypnotic beat created by handclaps and tabla. Very happy sounding. A chorus of various voices and rising above everything is Khan's soaring voice. "All Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam" slows it down a bit. Still the same instruments and musical vibe. This song starts with a more melancholy feel and just builds with the backing singers and louder handclaps. Outstanding. The album closes with "Ni Main Jogi De Naal." This is a singalong with Khan singing a line and the chorus repeating. Simple hanclaps, tabla and a single acoustic instrument. They sound like they are having a blast. This song belongs in a Disney movie...maybe, it already is. This music on this album is hypnotic, uplifting and very enjoyable. At times, there's a Middle Eastern flair to it. Various acoustic instruments accompanied by repetitive hypnotic beats. Khan's soaring voice is just magical. Understanding the language is not necessary to feel his emotion. Outanding vocal arrangements in addition to Khan's vocals. This is an album that everyone will like.

Thanks to a kind redditor for pointing out that this album IS available on Apple Music if you search for Love and Devotion by "Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party." The second disc is this album. This is almost a jarring experience since it's so different from everything else on the list. You know what, though? I really enjoyed it. The songs were a little long for me but I have no other complaints. I found this calming to listen to.

What a great singer. I love to read all the positive things about this guy and his live performance. I never listened to an album like this but I really enjoyed it. Have to say that I didn't listened to the entire album but a good hour of it.

Awesome voice

8th Century Islamic Chants? Yes please!

That was pleasant.

Huge shout out to my brother for finding this on Apple, not sure why they are trying to hide it under other artist names. As good as I’d hoped it to be, a very methodical singing that at times could get repetitive but was still great. A double LP at an hour and a half with longer tracks, too, a bold play.

I don't know how to rate this one. I likely won't listen again, but I enjoyed it.

Beautiful. Wish I understood the form better.

Melodic dance music in Hindu with vocal harmony. Great energy. Not something I’ve heard before. Quite an adventure. Well done.

Might have given it 3/5 but ended up with 4/5. Average rating is not fair IMHO. I liked it and am happy that this found it's way on the list. There is more out there than just musicians from the UK, some other European countries and the USA ;)

Lots of Love and Devotion in these.

"Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae" and "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka" are the stand out tracks.

Sufi music from Pakistan. There's a rich culture to explore here with Sufism and song, particularly in the context of devotionals (as the title of the album indicates). Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a particularly prominent singer of qawwali, which blended sufi music with Hindustani classical music, making great use of the Indian harmonium and tabla. Of course, the real focus here is the voice. Khan's vocal delivery is strong and with great purpose, commanding much of the record with his praise for God. His music career would bring qawwali to international audiences while also developing much of the contemporary music scene at home. To that extent, Khan deserves praise both for his ability and his impact.

I like hearing something way out of my wheelhouse, this was decent, I have no reference to compare though. Good to chill to

I was familiar with his singing from listening to Peter Gabriel and I remember him singing with Eddie Vedder. His vocals on Peter Gabriel's "Signal to Noise" are absolutely chilling. He's got a cool style and impressive voice. Plus, the drums are hypnotic and I liked the guitar parts (or whatever the plucked instruments were). Like most anglo-centric music listeners, I have no idea what he's singing and have a hard time telling the songs apart, but I enjoy the vibe.

My spirits were in hell but this album brought them back up a bit. It was light, fun and it had the ability to affect your mood. What more could you ask of an album?

An album and artist I would surely never have come across without starting this project - the perfect example of why I wanted to do it! A surprise and delight, and a body of work I know I will come back to (once I have time to pick albums myself again!)

Came to this guy from Jeff Buckleys name drop on Live at Sin-e. I enjoyed it first time and loved revisiting it. A diversion from the anglophonic majority and one very worthy of inclusion in the list. Having no familiarity with the expected rhythms and structure as well as no idea of the lyrics meant this just floated by beautifully and I could just enjoy the vibe

Grew on me as it went on. I have no opinion of its comparative excellence, but objectively it's pretty cool. Happy to have it on this list.

this album was really neat and i loved being exposed to music that i normally do not get exposed to. you could tell how joyful the music was from the singing and from the instrumentals here. just a very chill, jubilant album to kick off a weekend morning. cool stuff!

Very different from my usual tastes, but this is a very good album. 4/5

Great music to vibe out to. The songs go on a little long, But I think if I knew the words that would help that. Regardless good album

Wat een lage rating heeft dit album, onterecht! Ik vind wereldmuziek prachtig, laat je kennismaken met andere culturen en hun muziek. Dit is daar een prachtig voorbeeld van. Ik zal dit natuurlijk niet wekelijks opzetten, maar van begin tot einde is het prettig om naar te luisteren.

Part of the reason I commenced this project was to learn. And so I am. This style of music, called qawwali, is new to me, as is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but sounds as though he'd attained legend status in his short 48 years. As I am ignorant to the history of qawwali music and cannot understand the lyrics, I can only base it on my opinion of the music, and...it was good! Interesting, and never felt it went on too long. He's a passionate singer, and the playing was intricate. Not too much I can say about it, but I liked it.

Oh je, schwierig. Interessante Musik, interessante Instrumentierung, schöne Stimme. Meins wird es aber nicht, ich kann mir das nicht auf die Dauer anhören. Da wird man dann ein wenig high.

Hard to find this album. I thought I would only appreciate this collection as an observation on music from other cultures, but lots of sections were very catchy and symphonically charged. Khan sings very passionately.

Exotic and beautiful. Strange and mesmerizing. Full of new sounds, yet familiar and interesting

If you like Indian music in general, you’ll dig this album. If not… brother you’re going to hate this thing

Happy to get this - something fresh and different. I saw him in the 90s at Womadelaide. It is pretty uplifting music and I love the loping beat.