BBC - Radio 3 - Awards for World Music 2005

FAIZ ALI FAIZ (PAKISTAN)

Full track details

Just as in Portugal, where any young female fado singer has to contend with being compared to Amalia Rodrigues, so it is in Pakistan and North India for male exponents of qawwali, a local form of Sufi praise song which induces a trance-like state in the listener. Such singers are inevitably likened to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the undisputed king of qawwali. By the time of his death in 1997, he had achieved almost god-like status among the qawwali cognoscenti, as well as putting the music on the map for world music fans and even crossing over to wider audiences with his groundbreaking collaborations.

Derived from the Arabic qaul (to say, word), qawwali refers to both the musical genre and the ceremony where it is performed. Traditionally, this was only in religious contexts, at Sufi shrines, although these days it can be heard in secular settings such as private parties, foreign concert halls and even on Bollywood soundtracks. The present Qawwali format dates back to the 13th century and typically involves a lead singer (usually, but not always male) who interprets ancient Sufi poems. The voice is answered by a chorus, backed by waves of wheezing harmonium and driven along by the hypnotic percussive power of tabla (or dholak) and hand claps.

Faiz Ali Faiz doesn't tamper with this basic musical template, though he brings his own distinctive tone and unusually wide vocal range to it. His uncle Rehmat Ali Khan, who plays harmonium in his group, used to do the same for Nusrat, and when the great master fell ill, it was Faiz Ali Faiz that he called on to take his place at a qawwali, even though he was not a member of his family. However, Faiz Ali Faiz's family has been steeped in qawwali for seven generations, and he is known as a popular exponent of the Punjabi doaba style. Born in 1962, he received training in classical music and qawwali, beginning his professional career in 1978.

Since then, he has made numerous recordings. His 2002 album "The New Qawwali Voice" addressed the 'Nusrat issue' with a daring version of "Allah Hu" - one of his role model's best loved pieces. And his latest international album "Your Love Makes Me Dance" (2004) goes the whole hog, as the subtitle Hommage a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan indicates.

Jon Lusk (courtesy of fRoots)

Faiz Ali Faiz at Accords Croises

Your Comments

HASEEB
FAIZ ALI FAIZ IS BEST QAWAL I HAVE LISTEN TO HIM I THINK HE IS THE TOP QAWAL IN PAKISTAN AFTER NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN
GULBHAI US/INDIA
Who has the right to question ones Faith and who has the right to question the sincerety of a Sufi Qawwali singer from a recognized Qawwali Gharana. Certianly not some one from the material world. I have listen to Qawwali from the time I was a little boy and sat at the knees of my grandfather at the Durgha of Abdul Rehman Shah Bawa and North Indian Classical Music for that long. Faiz ali Faiz certainly gets his musical inspiration from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan but like a true Qawwal he brings his audience into a trance and that is a spiritual space that few people understand or experience. He flies like a wild falcon.
Akash, London
Just saw his band with a flamenco group this week and it was a magical concert. The recording doesn't to do them justice. I felt inspired in way that hasn't happened in years.
Cyrus, Australia
The first time i heard his music was where his songs were after Nusrat's and I didn't realise days later that i was listening to Faiz Ali...He is a great singer, voice.
Imran Shah
Faiz Ali Faiz is the only current Qawwal who shares the same musical qualities/traits as the greats Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Aziz Mian. Pound for pound the Faiz Ali Faiz Qawwal Group is the most talented in fundamental concepts of rythm / timing / tone / pitch within qawaali music. I cant think of any other current qawwalis who show such qualities as the greats have. As for the comment about him being disrepected in his own native country is absolute bull. Imran Manchester
Karan - London
Faiz should not be called a fake, regardless of singing the same songs as the king of qawwali, he voice is very powerful and should be praised not hated upon. Theres no many haters out there
Samira Abbasi, USA
I just listened to Faiz and was very impressed with his voice and renderings. Being in a family of musicians I am stirred by good music. He does remind me of Nusrat ji. Wish his long life and great career !
Igor Kovacs, Hungary
Last year I attended a concert of him and I was really puzzled. I cannot decide if he is a shameless COPY OF NUSRAT or what? I really don't know if in sufism imitating everything, even the body gestures of the master, is the sign of being a devotee of him. Can anybody EXPLAIN it to me?
Professor Stapleton, Manchester
Sufi music is heart of Islamic Spirituality. It is the main modertaing influence against rigidity of some extreme elements within Islam. I believe the mystic thought in general and music in particular needs to be explored further and eventually promoted wdely.
mohammed ziauddin , Qatar
Faiz Ali Faiz have beautiful voice, His all Qawwalis like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan but he have his style in singing qawwali .
Rajendra trivedi,M.D.
He has Heart and mind of Sufi Voice .Keep Praying God by singing, for YOUR and Listener’s Liberation.
Riaz Shaik
i think Faiz has a wonderful voice! love his songs and presentation.. too sweet! Really enjoy listening to him, puts one into a very relaxed mood.
yusuf ,south africa
this man is good if you close your eyes being at one of his shows i swear you would think nustrat is singing voice wise his voice is the closes match to nustrat i wonder if he would return to south africa again and it will be a show never to be missed
Kamal Kaur - Malaysia
I attende the 2005 world rainforest festival in Kuching where he had performed and I think he was just out of this world. Many plp there were just mesmorised by his voice and until I told them the meaning of his lirics they were so touched and awed by him putting such spiritual & romantic words into melodious music.
MIchael Bevilacqua from Pennsylvania, United State
Indeed one of the greatest voices of our time.
Aqdas Malik, Helsinki
Just came back after listening Faiz in Helsinki. My first experience of attending a live performance and must say that he is awesome. He performed for around 90 minutes (only 1 minute break). Beside a great performer, he is a nice human being too. Got a chance to talk with him in Maharaja Restaurant, Helsinki after his performance. Only few words to explain his personality, simple and nice Pakistani.
Sajad Rochdale UK
Faiz Ali Faiz is a brilliant Qawwal and I want to Know if he is going to come to UK to perform ina concert.
allaoui lahouari Morocco
I enjoy listen to urdu music as nustrat, sabri brothers and faiz ali faiz. thanks for BBC for the free tracks Merci infiniment.
jacob Uk
faiz ali faiz is just a clear out COPY of nusrat fateh ali khan - and has no respect in PAKISTAN, the home country, for being FAKE
tiad
is there any tour dates coming up next in Germany or in Europe? thanks tiad from Germany
Lee,Jung-hwan SOUTH KOREA
I think that Qawwali music is another side of East Indian music. Although it's based on the Islamic Musical characteristic,unlikely other typical Islamic ones,it always shows us indigenious sound of various features of Subcontinent music.And Qawwali is one of the greatest mixture of secular and religious passion in the music of world.He's still one of them.
Vania Kangalova from Ruse - Bulgaria
Ivo Papasov is the best!
abid
also had the chance to visit one of his concerts, and the one think i can say..this is man is a rising star!
Sadik Hartford ct
I loved your voice and I think that you may have a chance to win.
Richard Dorrell
A voice that was designed for the superlative.
Gaurav Bhargava, India
Awesome voice.... i bow to the great sufi voice..... he is just immaculate
faisal
indeed, i have experienced a concert of him and he is just great!