A delightful release comes to us here from the rich Persian music scene of Montreal. Parisa Karimi Molan arrived in Montreal in 2017 and quickly settled into the city’s artistic ecosystem. It must be said that the lady studied her art (vocal) for about twenty years in Iran, in secret and without the possibility of expressing it in public, as fate would have it under the theocratic and misogynistic regime in power in Iran. She therefore uses her recent freedom to express her convincing talent, firmly rooted in a traditional repertoire, but which she revisits in her own way.
Unlike many artists from the Iranian diaspora in Montreal, who delve into more scholarly and “classical” traditions, Parisa Karimi Molan rides the waves of a repertoire more focused on the popular songs of Persian heritage, but also Azeri and Romani, two minority cultures that are equally fascinating.
Unveiled (a play on words, I presume, referring just as much to the “unveiling” of a new album as to the removal of the veil, the hijab, desired by many Iranian women) features seven very beautiful pieces, mostly sung and melodically appealing. The arrangements are refined, brimming with Persian colours, but also Western ones, and beautifully interpreted by the Tehran Drom ensemble (Sergiu Popa on accordion, Noémy Braun on cello, Pooria Pournazeri on daf, dayereh, tombak, and setar, as well as Mohammad Aman on tar). In terms of vocals, Parisa Karimi Molan is accompanied by Srwa Hassani.
The ecumenical formation of Tehran Drom (Persian and Western instruments) offers refreshing possibilities, such as this improvisation for accordion and tar, something I have personally rarely heard, or cello lines that are usually heard on the kamancheh. Excellent.
Unveiled is like a journey that doesn’t settle for worn-out clichés. You can certainly perceive the shades of Persian culture, but you also hear echoes of India and even the Balkans (the excellent Sergiu Popa has something to do with it). Unveiled is a superb production by Dan Rosenberg and John Bailey.
The image, and especially the sound, of immigration in Montreal, Quebec and Canada. A collective, mutual, and inspiring enrichment. Thank you for doing us so much good.
Parisa Karimi Molan — voice
Srwa Hassani — voice
Sergiu Popa — accordion
Noémy Braun — cello
Pooria Pournazeri — daf, dayereh, tombak, setar
Mohammad Aman — tar
