Mustafa Stefan Dill and Sama Duo: (India world music): news, updates, writings, podcasts

Prayer

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:48:14 GMT

O Allah, Hold my feet forever to Your fire Sew my eyes wide open, my vision forever gazing to Your will Burst my eardrums at every music of Your command My flayed skin a parchment for Your decrees

A Message For Youth

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:47:45 GMT

A Message For Youth I pledge to help and support you in whatever way I can in all of your endeavours and goals, because: I want your voices to be heard I want you to be empowered to make a difference, then make that difference I want teachers who don't squash individuality and creativity I want you to keep forging a responsive, transparent media I want you to consider government service and rebuild it with integrity and openness I want you remembering to become...

What can we do?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:46:43 GMT

What can we do? Sometimes, young people ask me this as they grapple with the global challenges. I have no answers, only thoughts: It starts small, it seems to me; simply do your best. Try to activate hearts, one heart at a time, along your path. Pray that wisdom and Allah's love enters the hearts of those who put the planet in harm's way. Leaders everywhere have lost the love in their souls, and while we oppose their deeds, ask God to restore their hearts. Keep...

Sama Duo in Taos Wednesday

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:49:05 GMT

We've had a good break and vacation for both of us, after tracking the CD at the end of August then doing some rough edits; we still have to decide on the best takes and perhaps do a little further trimming -- we can run long -- but it's all underway! In the meantime, we are back at the Adobe Bar in Taos, 125 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, this Wednesday - Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Special thanks to Rima...

oud test videos

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:58:53 GMT

One of the things I did as we were tracking was to test run solo versions of two new oud pieces in front of the Flip cam. I find this helpful to get used to the pieces in a performance or recording setting, and overcome a litle 'new material anxiety'. i actually thought, after a couple of nights of trying, that i had a reasonable handle on the material so i did a little editing form the final takes and posted them on...

CD tracked

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:04:10 GMT

we did it -- the new release is 'all in the can', as they say... We tracked it all in just six sessions at the rehearsal space, direct to two-track - no overdubs or mixing ( though there will probably be some editing , etc). We checked the mic placement with mastering engineer Cass Anawaty, who gave it the go ahead, and away we went. Now comes the task of sorting and selecting through takes, etc. As Subho put it to me when I arrived in Kolkata with mountains of music for the...

Four videos from last week's gig...

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:52:52 GMT

It was a great gig -- nice folks, best lemonade on the planet, and a pretty good second set, some clips which are now up: There's some nice versions of the Yaman tune and the Five, whcih you can see on on our youtube site, but here's a couple of embeds on new ones: KISS Coffee: Garden Of Eden This started as a completely open jam, and quickly morphed into a rendition of one of the pieces used...

KISS coffee gig

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 09:08:44 GMT

KISS Coffee gig was fun! nice setting, good food, and they really do have great lemonade! 1st set a little a stiff as we got used to the sound, but second set rocked, i think... many thanks to Robin, Melissa, Josh, Josh, Andrew and all the others who came out or stopped by to see it. truly grateful for the support! good friend Andrew B. took the flip cam and shot something ---thanks! i'll take a look at the footage Sunday...

last minute gig in Alb's historic Old Town!

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:31:29 GMT

looking forward to a quickly booked show TONIGHT (SAt, Aug 8) in Alb's historic Old Town at: KISS Coffee at Patio Escondido 404 San Felipe, just off Mountain Rd Old Town Albuquerque, NM 87104 US we'll be there from 7 to 9...c ya there!

site changes, new features - and new release planned!

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:26:01 GMT

A lot of news: As you can tell, I'm in the process of updating the site, bringing it in line with some of the social networking and music apps we have. It will take some time to integrate it through all the sections of the site, but I'm making progress. One of the...