shashmaqam

[Miriam Dvorinspross <mdvorin...>]

SHALOM TO ALL! And thank you for your assistance with translating
the line from "Fire of Life."  Now I know there is expert help out
there when needed.

I stumbled across Shasmaqam in my local record store in a 1992 release
from Smithsonian Folkways entitled "Central Asia in Forest Hills-
Music of the Bukharan Jewish Ensemble."  I particularly like the cut
"Dostanya Gum Makun- Don't Lose Your Friends" with Fatima Kulnova,
vocal, Josif Abramov, tar, and Shumiel Kuyenov, doire.

"While you can don't lose your friends, those who are close to you.
Without friends, it is very difficult to be in this world.
Don't lose those who lighten your troubles.
Learn how to tell your real friends from the mass of friends.
The beauty of the garden depends on the charm of the flowers...
The folk are our only source of inspiration..."

This cassette comes with copious liner notes.  Most of the music
is homophonic-- the melody the singer presents is duplicated with
subtle embellishments by the instruments.  No Barry Sisters on this album!
But I found it well recorded and performed in this genre unfamiliar
to many of us Westerners.  My copy is on loan, but I seem to recall
that ethnomusicologist Anthony Seeger had a hand in this.

MIRIAM DVORIN
mdvorin (at) eis(dot)calstate(dot)edu

------------------------------