search for something...

search for something you might like...

Neuk Wight Delhi All-Stars Yorkston/Thorne/Khan have created a magical record

Neuk Wight Delhi All-Stars

Yorkston/Thorne/Khan have created a magical record

by Jay Lewis, Reviews Editor
first published: December, 2017

approximate reading time: minutes

Ever more startling...

#13 Neuk Wight Delhi All-Stars
Yorkston/Thorne/Khan
(Domino)

Suhail Yusuf Khan (one third of Yorkson, Thorne and Khan), plays the Sarangi, it's a bowed stringed instrument which produces a melancholy and hauntingly beautiful sound. As the grandson of a maestro and teacher of the instrument (Ustad Sabri Khan), it often feels that Khan's understanding of the Sangari in not just part of his heritage, it's in his DNA. 

Khan's Sangari and his passionate Hindi singing are key to Chori Chori, the opening number on the bands second album. But what's so inspiring about this band is the subtle ways that each member adds something new to a song. With Chori Chori  James Yorkston's nimble acoustic guitar playing counterbalances Khan's vocals whilst Jon Thorne's double bass creates a subtle layer that binds the piece together, elevating.

Even more startling is Samant Saarang/Just a Bloke - which juxtaposes a traditional Indian melody from Khan with Thorne's everyman reading of Roger Eno's You're Just a Bloke, emphasizing the song's sad contemplation of loneliness. 

Yorkston's knack for writing heartwrenchingly lovely songs is present throughout much of the album, most notably on the tender Bales and The Blues You Sang - a sincere tribute to his late friend and colleague Doogie Paul. The song closes with a vocal from Khan which is genuinely full of grief that it will have many listeners in tears. 

The most transcendent moment on the album is the 15 minute devotional Halleluwah. The three musicians improvise and weave their sounds around each other, it builds gradually to a dizzying climax. It's an ecstatic experience. 

There is a unique synergy between Yorkston, Thorne and Khan. This album is a further example of the magic that they can create. 

Jay Lewis
Reviews Editor

Jay Lewis is a Birmingham based poet. He's also a music, movie and arts obsessive. Jay's encyclopedic knowledge of 80s/90s Arts films is a debt to his embedded status in the Triangle Arts Centre trenches back then.


about Jay Lewis »»

Book week web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Ooh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha May 29th
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone