Mohsen Namjoo's Performance at Stanford Feb 5th

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Mohsen Namjoo's Performance at Stanford Feb 5th
by oktaby
06-Feb-2010
 

If you expect a free song I'm sorry to disappoint you as I respect his request not to record or distribute. The concert was being recorded for an album release and I can't wait for that release. For locals to SF bay area a second performance has been added this Sunday (tomorrow) at 2 pm and I strongly recomment it while there may still be tickets left. There was a lecture on his musical work along with Dr. Milani's translation.

Here is what I heard and saw:

I think he may well be among our greatest ever by the time he is done. I do not say this lightly as I am well versed in our wide array of musical talents. But to suggest Namjoo is just a musician would be short selling him. He is a spirit in motion. A searchful motion. His songs touch the Iranian current dilemma along with spiritual longing while riding ancient sounds right next to Jazz, classic, Iranian folklore and everything in between. I cannot recall another artist that uses voice as an instrument, vocals and conveyor of tangible emotions that you can almost touch, quite as he does. I recall Susan Dayheem did an album using ancient voices and voices alone along with D. Schwatz I think leveraging persian theme in early 90's. Namjoo is experimenting and has no fear and that I think will be the key to his further success. The mixture last night including his solos along with chorus vocals and Piano, then Kiosk joined in second half. There are themes his fans will readily recognize and then there are lots of new variations or all out new things. His ability to put out such a wide range of voices and sounds is really impressive. His music converys an ancient thread and a rare purity. It is his make up right from the very soil he raised from. No pretention. When he belts out a particular tune in incremental crescendo, and as his veins pop visibly from 50 feet away, you know he is not skimping and if you pay attention you can literally hold that emotion in your hand.

Then on one song when he sings 'to adam hesabam nakardy' (you did not count me as a human), in a soft moleodic tone, it is hard not to visualize a parade of all the attrocities happening in Iran.

PS: There will be a fundraiser on April 10th to extend his fellowship at Stanford.

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Monda

Cool!

by Monda on

I'll be at the protest via your blog.. 


oktaby

It started a bit slow Friday also but sounds like you saw

by oktaby on

another solid performance. See you on the 10th. will drop you & Nazy a note. Also plan to be in SF protest this Friday. Posted a schedule as a blog.

OKtaby


Monda

Were they Wonderful!

by Monda on

Oktaby jan I loved the concert yesterday. I mean I really didn't expect the Namjoo- Kiosk - Kamanagr collaboration to work so beautifully.. they took me away for the most part of the afternoon.  I did hear those pieces, their Best together I thought as well. The first couple of sets I was a bit disappointed for not hearing Namjoo's natural rawness or finding him too controlled in use of his voice... but third set on I heard the blend of him and Kamangar's piano matching wonderfully.

Oh and then Kiosk joined in confirming my fantasy of hearing Namjoo accompanied on percussions, accordion and guitars.  The angelic backup voices also added beautifully to the show.

April 10th, let's plan to meet.. I'll definitely be there with pleasure. 


oktaby

Nazy, I'm sure he has more in the works

by oktaby on

It would be my pleasure to meet you. I plan to attend April 10th fundraiser for Namjoo. Let me know if you plan to attend that or other interesting local event and we can connect.

 

Monda, I'm sure you enjoyed today's performance and heard the pieces Nazi & I mentioned. 

OKtaby


Nazy Kaviani

Another memorable performance by Namjoo and friends

by Nazy Kaviani on

It was a very interesting performance, with mostly new material. Namjoo never ceases to surprise and delight! I thought the piece he did with Tara Kamangar and the vocalists, zaan yaar e delnavazam, based on a poem by Hafez, was a masterpiece which could easily lend itself to a longer piece, composed for a large orchestra.  It was great seeing Bay Area's best and brightest musicians together onstage.  A most memorable musical experience.  I can't wait to see more of their collaborative work!

P.S.  It would have been great to meet you in person, Oktaby!  Maybe next time!


Monda

Great Artist!

by Monda on

Can't wait to see him at Stanford this afternoon!  Luckily (for me anyway) there are still tickets for 2 pm today; I guess because many folks stay home for Super Bowl Or have already caught him the previous nights.