Have you ever heard music from Central Asia? We have, and we highly recommend it!
Central Asia consists of four Turkish-speaking countries and one Persian-speaking country. The music of these countries is recognisably oriental but cannot be classified as something we already know. It is not Arabo-Persian, not Indian and certainly not Chinese. They are primarily simple songs rooted in the nomadic culture these people once had. Sometimes they are plaintive, sometimes highly danceable. It is actual folk music; stylisation does not factor into it. Modern influences sometimes do because these people don’t live under a rock either.
For this program, we go to the region’s south, where the vast steppes give way to high mountains. From Kyrgyzstan, we hear the Djunushov brothers and singer Salamat Sadykova. These are two big stars! That they performed together in Amsterdam was an exceptional occasion. From Tajikistan – that one Persian-speaking country in the region – comes the Alayev Family. This family act brings music with Western influences but always in the spirit of tradition. A drum kit and an accordion cannot disguise the fact that this music is entirely its own and comes from a unique, unknown part of the world!
Djunushov Brothers
1. Ergime (Inspiration)
2. Kyz Oigotor (Street daisy)
3. Kymbatin (Why, dear darling, didn’t you come?)
4. Sary-Ozek (Legend of the bird Donenbai)
5. Babalardyn bayany (Legend of the ancestors)
6. Zhany kambarkan (New Kambarkan)
7. Eki zhol (Two paths)
8. Ak tamak (Competition of two birds)
9. Attin (Remembrance of the joys of youth)
10. Oi bulbul (Song about an unrequited love)
11. instrumental tunes on temir komuz
Alayev family
12. Chaverim
13. Yoblohoy
14. Zebo
15. Boo Boo
16. Greek salad
17. Darwish
18. Karo and Tchaki
19. Tushavat
20. Olucha
21. Vionun
22. Allo duchtar
Salamat Sadykova
23. Gülder ayim (My flowers)
24. Kiymaymin (I cannot forget you)
25. Ayil kechteri (Evenings in the village)
26. Parizat
27. Ay nuru (Moonlight)
28. Temir ooz komuz (Mouth harp)
29. Orukzarga keteli (To the apricot garden)
