Swan song

Definitely not his best work. You can tell the end was near. He had lost the power in his voice. His nephew, Rahat Ali Khan, had to take up the lead vocals on the last track because you can tell that the Man did not have the energy in him. Sad to see him go. What can I say? God is selfish...


Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Swan Song   September 29, 2003
Anthony Phillips (Chicago, IL United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a badly produced concert recording with very poor sound: unbalanced, with screeching feedback recurring all the way through; no microphone anywhere close to the master, so that the nuances of his voice are barely heard.

Various Nusrat Ali Khan chestnuts are performed augmented with pop musicians playing western instruments in jazzy style with an incessant and unvarying beat. There is also electronic funny business on top of it all. The music is exciting and hysterically driven like a lot of pop music from middle eastern countries, very unlike the soul driven, elastic movement of the traditional Sufi Qawwali music that made Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan the great natural musician that he was. As intense as that music was, it was always spiritually founded, always balanced. Here, he sounds a little breathless, as though he is being rushed along by the speed of a train.

His swan song? I can't help but wonder if the very commercial production of this concert didn't just push this Sufi master off the edge of the planet?


Nusrat is the Best, but this album isn't very good   September 27, 2000
Chris Green
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Sadly this recording is the final performance of my beloved Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - a man whose voice and passion made me believe in the purity and power of life.

The CD isn't as bad as the review indicates, but it certainly isn't the best of Nusrat available. Shabazz, Mustt Mustt, Night Song, any of these albums offer a better picture of his music. I do agree with the review in that these arraingements of his songs don't seem as "his" as others do. They are radical departures from his signature style and don't really allow the listener to experience his voice as is; including too much out-of-context accompaniment (a saxophone? please, never again...) and generally being overproduced, robbing the songs of one of their best qualities - always having the emotion of being spontaneous.

I love Nusrat and his music, but I recommend skipping this recording in favor of almost any other.


Remove the imperialistic review by Amazon.com   September 26, 1999
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

The Amazon.com review smacks of obscene colonial attitutes.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a "popular" musician not some exoticized musician playing for "mystical sufi" muslims.

This music reflects a celebration in modern day pakistan, where european influences exist.

Why isn't there a review of Rick Martin lamenting the loss of "pure" music.


The amazon review is disgusting   February 16, 2006
Hayley (Los Angeles)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This may not be Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's prime work, but it also isn't bad. The vocals are in top form. The backing musicianship does not have the cheesy Vegas night club feel that Karen Karleski characterizes it as having. Also, since when were Pakistani's averse to using modern instruments? I agree with the reviewer that said Ms. Karen Karleski's review reeks of chauvinism. Those who actually enjoy Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for what he is, can enjoy the last piece of work that the master left for his audience.