Lost Pages

Old man - Bryan MacLean (Love), arranged by Najma Akhtar & J.Eoin (3'.40")
From Love's ‘Forever Changes’ album, considered by many to be the ultimate expression of Psychedelic Rock. Jac Holzman (founder of Elektra Record) wrote of Najma's interpretation, 'Najma, I so enjoyed what you did with Bryan's song, one of the unsung gems on Forever Changes. Your take is original, understated and true to the spirit of the original. Most important - it works!'.
Najma, “I began this song with a vocal alaap (improvised notes from the scale) as this is always used to introduce the raag and melody in a traditional Ghazal and I thought it would be appropriate to make this connection in order to express the universal depth & soul of this song and also to introduce a subtle world music vibe. This is a deceptively simple song and one that I found to be very challenging to sing. This is an early demo that I made which I am very fond of and, although it has since gone through several changes, I am pleased for it to be heard in its original state. I love the way in which the guitar keeps the pulse steady and how, coupled with the shimmering flourishes of strings, carefully placed minor chords and the Indian raag vocal at the mid-point and end of the song helps to further enhance the melancholic, haunting, and imaginative sense of mystery and reminiscence transports the listener into a different plane. Spiritual and timeless.”

6. Old Man - Edited Version

Pioneering World Music artist, British-born Najma Akhtar, vocalist, songwriter and actor is the very first artist to have created a place in World Music history by creating a new musical genre, introducing Jazz to the traditional genre of the Ghazal (Urdu ballad).
Having been at the forefront of the World Music scene for the last two decades, Najma has proved to be a successful and versatile artist and is renowned for not only using modern jazz influences with Indian vocals creating a beautiful fusion of eastern and western styles but push the sound barriers once again by introducing Blues, rock and other eclectic influences to even newer and undiscovered frontiers as with her last collaboration with guitarist Gary Lucas on the album ‘Rishte’ which received phenomenal reviews.
Eight critically acclaimed solo albums and collaborations with many world-class artists, as diverse as Jah Wobble, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Andy Summers (The Police), Basement Jaxx, Jethro Tull, Philip Glass, Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart) and many more has set her on the path for the release of ‘Five Rivers’
A musical journey, 'FIVE RIVERS’ begins in India at the River Ganges and continues on to Africa and the River Niger, Great Britain, with the River Thames and the River Shannon and across the Atlantic to the majesty of the great Mississippi River exploring the various synergies that exist between the ancient poetic art form of the Indian Ghazal and the Western traditions of song.

'FIVE RIVERS' is the first project in which Najma's essential focus has been on the Western canon of song through her interpretations of the works of artists as diverse as Donovan, Tim Hardin, The Rev Gary Davis, WB.Yeats, Brian MacLean (Love) and Mick Jagger & Keith Richards who have all, in their individual and inimitable ways, addressed the issues of unrequited loss, tragedy & disillusionment that are central to the Indian tradition of Ghazal.

Inspired, influenced and encouraged by her experiences and collaborations, Najma has absorbed the distinct musical traditions of West Africa Blues, the Mississippi Delta, the Western Folk tradition, World Jazz, Irish / Celtic Folk Music, Alternative Rock, Ghazal, Sufi, Rock Music, Jazz & Psychedelia, taking only that which would serve to demonstrate their interconnectivity with her interpretations of these carefully selected songs.

Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, wrote of Najma's interpretation of 'Old Man' from the Love 'Forever Changes' album, 'Najma, I so enjoyed what you did with Bryan's song, one of the unsung gems on Forever Changes. Your take is original, understated and true to the spirit of the original. Most important - it works!'
'FIVE RIVERS' can be best described as a confluence of the musical, poetic and linguistic traditions of the East and the West through the purity and beauty of voice.

Some  Collaborations
‘Rishte’, with Grammy nominated guitarist, Gary Lucas.
The Optimist with Stan Harrison.
Dot Com with Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull.
Basement Jaxxs co-wrote Mere Paas with Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe the single, Good Luck.
MTV Unplugged with Led Zeppelins Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for the album No Quarter. Toured with Page & Plant in the USA, Ireland / UK.
Liquid Days with Philip Glass accompanied by the Crouch End Choir, conducted by David Temple.
Take Me To God with Jah Wobble.
The Golden Wire with Andy Summers of The Police.
Black Science with Steve Coleman.
Divas with Steve Copeland.
Colonial Cousins with Hariharan and Leslie Lewis.
In my Mind with the Armenian / Persian Singer Andy Madadain.

6. Old Man - Edited Version

Najma Akhtar

Related tracks