Tuesday
September 5, 2000
Tears for Googoosh, not just Iran
In addition to the "Malaagheh"
letter, I would like to respond to "Baptized
in tears" gibberish as well, point by point, and more. I was also
at the New York concert. Yes, everyone was crying but every tear shed was
out of joy. Rozeh khooni is a melancholic event. The comparison was absolutely
irrelevant.
I have never known an artist being able to make 15,000 people cry at
the same time. All the tears were shed for Googoosh and not just Iran and
nostalgia of good old days. If Iran had never experienced a revolution
and was still under Pahlavi monarchy and Googoosh had still decided not
to sing for 21 years, the same tears and wave of emotions would have existed
in her concert.
There maybe singers with better voices than hers but they can not touch
people's souls like Googoosh. She captivates hearts and possesses the key
to locked doors of one's soul. Her passion in delivering her music is in
the same caliber as Edith Piaf and Maria Callas.
I don't know how people come up with comparing her to Madonna just because
they are both trendsetters. Googoosh is a pioneer of different kind
The love for Googoosh goes deeper than her physical appearance and fashion
statements. She is freshly unique and original. If part of her uniqueness
has "Western struck" attributions, then be it. If freedom of
sexuality is in "blowing bleached hair in the balmy summer nights"
and is what you think Googoosh represents, then I suggest a serious look
at yourself as a woman.
The music was great and I don't think Googoosh ever sang with a better
group of musicians. It's true, her new songs are not political. Only a
person who is not aware of their spirituality and/or suffers from illiteracy
in Persian can call her new songs "not catchy". She, in fact,
has dedicated her voice to history.
Fariba Behnegar
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