Press Clipping
01/19/2016
Article
Review

Katayoun Goudarzi is a singer who was born in Tehran; Shujaat Hussein Khan is a master of the classical sitar who comes from Calcutta. Meeting up in New York city they found common ground in love for the work of thirteenth century Persian poet, teacher, and mystic Rumi. They’ve explored setting spoken word from Goudarzi in improvised music from Khan in earlier outings; for their recording Ruby they decided to up their game and challenge themselves to take a different approach. For one thing, they brought in additional instruments, including tabla, flute, and sarangi, For another, Goudarzi lets her many hued command of musical emotion have full reign as she sings Rumi’s words, in Persian– no spoken words this time out. For a third thing, Khan composed the melodies in advance. It’s a tasteful, thoughtful joining of differing cultures and sounds that works well, with the songs conveying senses of longing, change, and journey whatever language you speak.