Search - Afghan Ensemble :: From Afghanistan

Very good CD

Ernst Schoenleitner | Vienna, Austria | 08/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am the president of the "Association of Culture of Afghanistan in Austria". The music comprises traditional Afghan songs played artistically on the robab, harmonia, damburrah and tabla which are the main instruments of my country. The smooth voice and European singing education of Mrs. Jooya sets a new mile stone in Afghan traditional music. In particular the duets with Hamid Golestani are a wonderful match of two so diverse voices. Mrs Jooya has many fans among Afghan who live outside and inside Afghanistan. We appreciate the art of Mrs. Zohreh Jooya very much and are very proud to have such a renowned representative of Afghan culture living in Austria. For us she is like an ambassador of Afghan art who shows the other side of Afghanistan. She shows that Afghanistan is an old country with a high culture and not just a place of warlords and drug traffic how it is perceived from all the reports in the media.



Gousudden Mir"

A lighter, danceable recording

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 07/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having more familiarity with the classical instrumental music of Afghanistan performed by soloists, I must reply on comparison with the successful CD, Radio Kabul, for large ensemble music. That recording is some 20 minutes longer and encompasses a variety of musical forms, both darker and more subdued classical instrumentas and joyous popular songs, and the musicianship is very fine. In this CD, Zohreh Jooya's voice is remarkably smooth and lovely, and Hamid Golestani's excellent baritone is a nice contrast in the series of tracks. The overall recording of songs, including ghazals and qawwalis, is light and spirited and more uniform in tone. It is happy and sometimes danceable. There is perhaps too much harmonium, but the rubab and various drums support the ensemble well. My actual rating is 4.5 stars."