album review: sultans of string with anwar khurshid
TRANSCRIPT
Geoff Wilbur's Music BlogCovering Great Music Regardless of Genre
Home Table of Contents FAQ About the Publisher Writers Contact Subscribe
Album Review: Sultansof String with AnwarKhurshid –Subcontinental DriftPosted on May 21, 2016 by JamesMorris
Search …
Recent PostsRecent Posts
Cosmo Sheldrake – PelicansCosmo Sheldrake – PelicansWe EPWe EP May 27, 2016May 27, 2016Album Review: Katrina Stone –Album Review: Katrina Stone –Never Wanna Grow UpNever Wanna Grow Up May 26,May 26,20162016Album Review: Sultans of StringAlbum Review: Sultans of Stringwith Anwar Khurshid –with Anwar Khurshid –Subcontinental DriftSubcontinental Drift May 21,May 21,20162016Geoff’s Night Out: The DuPontGeoff’s Night Out: The DuPontBrothers at The BackyardBrothers at The Backyard MayMay15, 201615, 2016Album Review: Persona –Album Review: Persona –Elusive ReflectionsElusive Reflections May 14,May 14,
photo by Kevin Kelly; photo courtesy of LW Communications
by James Morris, Contributing Blogger
Album Review of Sultans of String with Anwar Khurshid:Subcontinental Drift
Subcontinental Drift is the 5th album from Sultans of Stringwho were formed 8 years ago through the unique musicalrelationship between violinist Chris McKhool and guitarist KevinLaliberte. The band’s signature sound was cemented by thejoining of three additional members: bass player Drew Birston,a veteran of Chantal Kreviazuk’s band, Cuban percussionistRosendo Chendy Leon, who’d previously played withParachute Club, and guitarist Eddie Paton, who’d worked withflamenco star Robert Michaels.
In their illustrious career, the band have enjoyed success in theCanadian national radio charts, received the Sirius XMIndependent Music Award as well as other multiple awards andaccolades including two JUNO nominations and two CanadianFolk Music Awards. They have mixed with renowned artists,including Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains and for this new
20162016Album Review: Jimmy LeeAlbum Review: Jimmy LeeMorris – Wilderness WoodMorris – Wilderness Wood MayMay7, 20167, 2016Album Review: Rusty G’s – LowAlbum Review: Rusty G’s – LowMay 1, 2016May 1, 2016Album Review: Amy & theAlbum Review: Amy & theEngine – TandeManiaEngine – TandeMania April 26,April 26,20162016Album Review: Altered Sky –Album Review: Altered Sky –Without WonderlandWithout Wonderland April 23,April 23,20162016Album Review: Fire Tiger –Album Review: Fire Tiger – Energy Energy April 16, 2016April 16, 2016Album Review: PreCog – AreAlbum Review: PreCog – AreWe LostWe Lost April 14, 2016April 14, 2016Album Review: ApocalypticAlbum Review: ApocalypticLovers – Redemption Volume ILovers – Redemption Volume IApril 12, 2016April 12, 2016Album Review: Cherry Suede –Album Review: Cherry Suede –Between Here and ThereBetween Here and There AprilApril2, 20162, 2016Album Review: Samantha PreisAlbum Review: Samantha Preis– Good News– Good News March 27, 2016March 27, 2016Album Review: Park Sipes –Album Review: Park Sipes –Rise AboveRise Above March 25, 2016March 25, 2016Album Review: Ilona –Album Review: Ilona –Fragile HeartFragile Heart March 21, 2016March 21, 2016Album Review: The SweetestAlbum Review: The SweetestCondition – Edge of the WorldCondition – Edge of the WorldMarch 17, 2016March 17, 2016Album Review: Love and a .38Album Review: Love and a .38– Nomads– Nomads March 14, 2016March 14, 2016Album Review: The ChapinAlbum Review: The ChapinSisters – Today’s Not YesterdaySisters – Today’s Not YesterdayMarch 10, 2016March 10, 2016Album Review: Byron Nemeth –Album Review: Byron Nemeth –The Video ChroniclesThe Video Chronicles March 7,March 7,20162016
Recent CommentsRecent Comments
Ricardo AlvarengaRicardo Alvarengaon on Album Review:Album Review:
image courtesy of LW Communications
album are joined by special guest, sitar master, AnwarKhurshid.
Anwar’s music has previously appeared in the Oscar winningfilms Life of Pi, Kama Sutra, and Love Guru, and hiscontribution to this album certainly adds colours and rhythmsthat are both exotic and cinematic in scope.
There is a genuinely uplifting feeling about the whole thing, andat times it put me in mind of the spirit captured by MarkKnopfler in his soundtrack to Local Hero. Sure the styles areworlds apart, but they both share an inexplicable ability totransport you and release your imagination through mesmericmusical imagery.
Chris McKhool is unsurprisingly excited about the collaborationwith Anwar Khurshid: “There is something magical about
Samantha Preis –Samantha Preis –……
Ken HillKen Hill on on AlbumAlbumReview:Review:Samantha Preis –Samantha Preis –……
troup1998troup1998 on onAlbum Review:Album Review:Park Sipes –Park Sipes –Ris…Ris…
Album Review:Album Review:Ilona…Ilona… on on TheTheRoad BackRoad Back#9: Ilona#9: Ilona
Album Review:Album Review:Simon…Simon… on on TheTheRoad Back #3:Road Back #3:Dr Scar…Dr Scar…
ArchivesArchives
May 2016May 2016April 2016April 2016March 2016March 2016February 2016February 2016January 2016January 2016December 2015December 2015November 2015November 2015October 2015October 2015
CategoriesCategories
AdministrativeAdministrativeAlbum ReviewsAlbum ReviewsLive ReviewsLive ReviewsMusic Reviews (excl albums)Music Reviews (excl albums)
photo by Kevin Kelly; photo courtesy of LW Communications
joining the world music rhythms we play, with pop sensibilitiesand blending that with the music of the East.”
He is not wrong, and I have to say how much I enjoyed thealbum. It seemed to pull on so many of the musical influencesof my past but in a fresh, out of left field, kind of way.
Memories were stirred of early Rod Stewart, “Mandolin Wind”and “Maggie May” on the opening track “Enter The Gate,” withthe folksy intertwining guitar and violin. This also led me toremember the fiddle playing on “Don’t Pass Me By” on TheBeatles’ White Album. Of course when you start thinkingBeatles, there is the Harrison factor when listening to thecombination of sitar mixing and swirling with the rest of theband. The whole talented, textured performance drips passionand pleasure.
This is, no doubt, why the whole thing sparks a real joie devivre for the soul. The mix of traditional folk instruments and
MetaMeta
Log outLog outEntries Entries RSSRSSComments Comments RSSRSSWordPress.comWordPress.com
Follow Blog via EmailFollow Blog via Email
Click to follow this blog andClick to follow this blog andreceive notifications of newreceive notifications of newposts by email.posts by email.
Join 14 other followersJoin 14 other followers
Follow
photo by Kevin Kelly; photo courtesy of LW Communications
sitar work sublimely. Inspired really.
It’s this happiness to mix things up that makes the secondtrack “Rakes of Mallow/ Rouge River Valley” so upbeat anduplifting. A foot tapping jig with a wonderful twist.
More links to my musical favourites were highlighted by thebold cover of Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind.” It’s one of thosesongs that maybe you don’t do, too familiar, too cliche? But Iwas blown away by this distinct and imaginative adaptation.I’m pretty sure Dylan, who is no stranger to taking his tunesand changing arrangements, would be really happy to hearhow this reggae/bhangra/folk fusion turned out.
The only slight disappointment on the album for me was “APlace To Call Home”; with its country-style vocal, it seemed abit out of place. It is a lovely song but somehow less exoticthan the rest of the album.
photo by Kevin Kelly; photo courtesy of LW Communications
It was a brief dip on what is otherwise an exceptional album,and I was soon on my magical journey again. After being sweptalong by the hypnotic “Snake Charmer,” I was delighted by thebeautiful voice of another guest performer, Shweta Subram on“Parchan Shaal Panhwar.”
So many great songs on this album make it hard not to try anddetail each one’s benefits. “Journey To Freedom” was the nexttrack, and it slipped like silk across a musical landscape sosimple that it’s gentle footsteps made all the more impact. Thesong, jointly written by the band and Anwar Khurshid, tracesAnwar’s journey from Pakistan to his new home in Canada.
Before rounding things off, I want to also mention the lovely fatbass lines on title track “Subcontinental Drift” and then the
delicate, almost Paul Simon like calmness of final track, “AHeart Does What It Does.” A beautiful end to a classy album.
I’d not listened to Sultans of String before and the strength ofthis new album made me go and check out their previousreleases. I was not disappointed and can easily see why theyenjoy the award-winning success they have had.
Inviting Anwar Khurshid to collaborate on this album was astroke of genius and has created an album of sunshine,happiness and positivity like a meditative soundtrack for yoursoul.
On the Road
According to the tour calendar page on the Sultans of String’swebsite, the bandhas two remaining gigs in May – thefirst, tomorrow night, May 22nd, at Cafe Nine in New Haven,Connecticut; then April 26th at a conference at HumberCollege in Toronto. Beyond that, upcoming concerts include aJune 3 Kerrville Folk Festival date, a June-July 2016 tour of theUK and Ireland, and dozens of dates booked across Canadaand in the U.S. throughout 2016 and into 2017. Check toband’s website to see when the group will be performing nearyou.
Share this:
Press This Twitter Facebook 3 Google
Pinterest Email Print Reddit Tumblr
LinkedIn Pocket
Reblog Like
Be the first to like this.