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 By Patty-Lynne Herlevi
B'ismillah, Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (Sounds
True STA339, 1997)
Hamdulillah, Fes Festival, 1997-1998 (Sounds True)
Under the Moroccan Sky (Sounds True STA MM00122D, 2001)
The 3 compilations reviewed here chronicle the Fes Festival of World Sacred
Music which takes place in Fes, Morocco once a year and features sacred music
from all religions. The first festival took place in 1994 and 12 years later,
the festival is still going strong bringing together musicians and audiences
from various spiritual traditions. The 3 CDs here as far as I can tell, range
from 1996 to 2001 although the actual date of the festival recorded is only
listed on
Hamdulillah, so I am unclear about the festival dates of the other 2
recordings. All the other information you need is presented in the CDs' liner
notes.
What I can say, is that these CDs are heavy on North African and Middle Eastern
content. Sufi and Sufi-related traditions figure prominently, although you will
find Jewish sacred chants, some Christian liturgical chants, Indian classical,
flamenco and the 2-CD set,
B'ismillah features an orchestra and choir from
Bosnia. The CDs feature lots of Arab percussion, ouds, guitars, mesmerizing
vocals, both male and female, choral arrangements, and all of this builds sacred
bridges between cultures. All the music is high quality, soulful and hopeful.
You will also find some of the brightest musical talent from Spain, India,
the Middle East, North Africa and other parts of Europe. What you won't find is
American gospel, South African gospel, Native American sacred music or pagan
spiritual music in general. Sadly, when many people speak of sacred traditions
it only includes, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Moslem and Judaism. These
CDs reflect that reality. It could be that people in North Africa and parts of
Europe are unfamiliar with the pagan sacred music or even American gospel.
I have been enjoying these CDs immensely, however, I would have loved to have
heard music from a festival that also includes spiritual music from indigenous
and tribal people along with music of the major religions. Imagine Yoruba
chants, Native American healing songs, Australian aboriginal chants and other
exotic traditions performed next to Sufi music or Christian liturgical chants.
My hope is that the Fes Festival has already done this or will in the future. In
any case, Fes Festival plays an important role on our universal path to world
peace. If the major religions can build bridges between themselves through music
or other common ground, then that in itself will cause people to be more
tolerant towards others leading to less conflicts around the world. There is
after all, no right way and there isn't just one way to worship the Divine. I
think these CDs prove that point and that this type of music festival deserves
our support whether it takes place in Fes, Morocco, Seattle, Washington, or San
Francisco, please support it.
 In the meantime, these 3 long playing recordings give us an earful of peaceful
music that could be used for meditation, relaxation or dancing. Listeners can
delve into music of India, Pakistan, Egypt, Spain, Morocco, etc. and all within
the confines of 1 or 2 CDs.
Some highlights for me are the Dastan Ensemble (Iran) on
Hamdulillah, the many
women performers on all the recordings, flamenco and all of fabulous rhythms
throughout. I recommend the only single CD,
Under the Moroccan Sky for those
folks short on time. And if you just happen to be in Morocco around the time of
Fes Festival, attend the festival and soak in these sacred gems first hand.
Buy
B'ismillah,
Hamdulillah, and
Under the Moroccan Sky.
Other sacred music CDs available:
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