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Pakistani Rock Group
Builds Bridges
The biggest musical act from Pakistan today is about to hit America’s shores
once again. Ali Azmat, Brian O’Connell and Salman Ahmad, a trio who form the
Sufi-Rock Band “Junoon” (meaning “a passion bordering on craziness”) truly
exemplify a Pakistani-American cooperative effort at its best, one that just
have to be seen live to be best experienced. And lucky for us here, they are
embarking on what can possibly be described as a new Junoon “Daur” (Era) in
America as the release of “Daur-e-Junoon” their new album accompanies them on
their coming tour of this country and Canada. .
On Junoon’s last San Jose, California appearance in the late 90’s, I had written
a news report in the Pakistan Link from which I quote: “I hope that Junoon, in
its lyrical and musical defiance of intolerance will continue to find a
receptive audience in both inside and outside Pakistan. On this night I saw
Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi expatriate Junoonis (as their fans are known)
enjoy themselves. But the time is not far away that I hope that in the footsteps
of NFAK, Junoon too will be able to reach out and expand Rocks cultural horizons
in the West through the expression of humanity which remains common to all of
us.” And as one can looks back today, it is absolutely great to note that Junoon
has become the biggest musical phenomenon to originate from Pakistan since the
late Qawwali Master, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (NFAK) Sahib.
Junoon have done a good job in bringing a message of peace to Indians and
Pakistanis. There is an urgent need for much better understanding between people
in South Asia. And since 9/11 Junoon have shown much solidarity with the victims
of terrorism in New York (where Brian and Salman went to school together). It is
work like this and the continual humanitarian message blended into their Urdu
and Punjabi songs that have earned them the honor of being called “The U2 of
Pakistan”. That along with Salman’s ambassadorship with the UN, his interviews
last year on CNN and Junoon’s “Islamabad, Rock City” program on the VH1 Music
Channel have helped spread their message and initial fame here in the United
States.
The fusion of Qawwali (South Asian Gospel singing) and Heavy Metal Rock & Roll
is something unique. What the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had accomplished by
bringing Faisalabad-Pakistan and Qawwali to the western world, Junoon has
absorbed, but via a different path. They have brought Led Zeppelin and U2 to the
Pakistani masses and blended Rock with local Pakistani folk tunes. In this
process they have also given us here in the worldwide expatriate South Asian
community, something very pleasing to listen to, especially those of us who
appreciate the Geet, Ghazal and Qawwali and not to forget Bhangra, along with
western Rock, Rap and the Blues. So with that in mind let me close here and hope
that the “Daur-e-Junoon” tour brings out the fans of Junoon and their friends in
large numbers to see their favorite band later this month and in May.
Junoon are scheduled to perform live on April 26th in Atlanta (Georgia), April
27th Toronto (Canada), April 28th Boston (Massachusetts), May 2nd New York, May
3rd Seattle (Washington), May 4th Los Angeles (California), May 5th Vancouver
(Canada), May 10th Minneapolis (Minnesota), May 11th Houston Texas and last but
not least a personal favorite, in San Jose (California) on May 12th 2002 (Please
check local listings). This North American tour is being coordinated through the
Kehkashan Arts Council.
Visit their website
http://www.junoon.com if you want to learn more about these guys who blend
the soul of the Punjab, the Sindhi Sufi’s message of love and the high energy of
New York into their music with often incredible results.
Ras H. Siddiqui
PakistanLink
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