I've been intrigued by Ariana Delawari ever since reading this story about the Afghani-American singer-songwriter. In 2002, her parents--who had lived in Southern Caliornia since 1970--returned to Afghanistan to help rebuild their homeland. In early 2007, Delawari visited them amid escalating violence in Kabul, hoping to record an album with traditional Afghani musicians. Delawari returned to L.A. with instrumental tracks, which were then melded with her folk-rock songs, aided by filmmaker and occasional music producer David Lynch. The result was "Lion of Panjshir," an album named after the late mujahedin leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. (Massoud, who fought against both the Soviets and Osama bin Laden, was assassinated just before 9/11.)
I recently had the chance to see Delawari perform at the Echoplex (which, by the way, is a fantastic venue). Her powerful voice pierced through the mix of electric guitar, Middle Eastern percussion and the recorded Afghani tracks. It made for a haunting sound that I can't shake, just as this image has been embedded in my memory: a few weeks ago, while driving in a wildly diverse section of Mid-City, I came across a mother and daughter strolling along a sidewalk. Walking through a background of palm trees, Korean markets, and billboards advertising the latest Hollywood dreck, the woman was draped in a burka.
Delawari's album is available on iTunes, but this song is from a Madonna tribute album. Even here, she adds her distinctive touch.
You're always teasing us! Telling us about some fascinating-sounding album and then giving us something else! Must be that brain infection that has you rooting for the Giants...
Posted by: Rob Meurer | October 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM