Salman Ahmad in UT Austin Texas April 18th

[AKhan]

Hey Shan and Mo,

Good luck with the concert yaar, hope you have a really great time. I really wish I was there just like the good ol days. Make me and all the junoonis proud alrite. Make sure to get it all tape for me. And dont forget what I told you aite.

Peace.

Yaar Bina Dil Mera Nahi Lagta
Pyar Bina Dil Mera Nahi Lagta

[Shan Khan]

AKhan you know all this is in commemoration of you. That's why Talha is coming down and everything. It's a dang tribute. I'll send you the entire thing as soon as its all done and over from the first night to when he leaves. It's not gonna be the same without you and Ali and Brian and the excitement of those Dallas days or the roadtrips to Houston. But we'll try to make do and let's see how it goes. Wish we coulda had you here.

Aman.
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hai jazba junoon, toh himmat na haar
justaju joh karey, woh chuay aasman

[om786]

Here's my humble review:
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Bhulle Shah is a Rocker !!!

I once again got a group of friends hyped up by promising them an experience of lifetime and got them in my car for a road trip to Austin. This must have been the fourth time I travelled to see Junoon perform outside of my city. And each time I have been able to gather a new group friends who are either open to checking out foreign bands or just too fascinated by my fanatic rant about Junoon in every music related conversation I have with them. Yesterday was another one of those trips and another group of friends I took to see Salman Ahmad at UT-Austin.

The hall was rather small and intimate which is an ideal place to experience Junoon's music so you can get up close and personal. Initially everyone sat on the floor and waited for Salman while Ghoom Tana was being played over and over from Salman's new album. It must have been the 5th time the song repeated when this gori turned to her friend and said "Is this the only song this dude will be singing?". I was tempted to defend Salman at that point but at that very moment I saw Mr. Chatterjee and Salman walking in. It was a very "non-rock-n-roll" entry. I have seen better entrances by Junoon but I guess it's the change of Image that brought humility to their entrance.

Salman got the mike, greeted the crowd and jumped right into "Allah Hu" before everyone can register that concert had already begun. Few of our Pakistani brothers walked up front and advised the audience to get up. At first, some people hesitated but for Junoon lovers it was treat not to have to fight with security guards before they can get close to the stage, so most desis jumped right in. It didn't take long before the "Junoon" was spread throughout the crowd. And those who were still not pulled by the amazing music, got attentive when Salman replaced "Allah Hu" with "Hallelujah" to which I saw everyone lip syncing.

Salman's instrumental numbers proved to be the crowd's favorite. He played Heer and Jugal Bandi, to which Salman had added (for the lack of better terms) extended guitars. I looked back for a photo opportunity during Jugal Bandi and saw a big crowd of people with their eyes closed, it seemed as if they were offering communal prayers. Salman also played Ghoom Tana and Al-Vida from Infiniti which was another familiar songs to relatively new Junoon fans.

This concert was more targetted towards the students of Sufism class at UT-Austin so Salman tried to talk about Sufism between his songs. He claimed that, although Rock and Roll was not invented during the time of Sufis but they had rocker's soul. He continued to say that Bhulle Shah was another rebellious soul who was the Rocker. Crowd chuckled and Salman bursted out with Bhulle Shah's kalaam Junoon style! He also introduced another song by saying "This next song is also a sufi poetry but from completely different soul" and this comment followed by John Lennon's "Imagine" again in Junoon style, and the whole crowd sang along.

Salman and Mr. Chatterjee stuck around to sign the t-shirts and cds and chatted with his fans.

Memorable moments in a nutshell

* Hallelujah in Allah Hu
* Extended guitar and table solos in almost all of his songs specially Jugal Bandi
* Salman's Patyala story about King of Patyala feeding Bhang ke laddu to England's cricket team
* Bhulle Shah is a Rocker!
* John Lennon's "Imagine"
* Change of words from "Allah" to "Mowla" in Saaein
* Word of thanks by Salman to UT
* Personal autographs

[om786]

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Called or not called, God will be there

[om786]

I was able to take some very close and personal shots of Salman, Chatterjee and the crowd. Please check them out at :

http://om.smugmug.com/gallery/2735009#145202436
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Called or not called, God will be there

[Shan Khan]

So that's who Om is! Thanks for coming man. And for bringing people with you. Thanks a lot. I was meaning to talk to you after the show, but just didn't get a chance to catch you. Looks like you enjoyed yourself, in fact I saw you enjoying yourself so that's good. Finally thanks for the fantastic review.

Shan
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hai jazba junoon, toh himmat na haar
justaju joh karey, woh chuay aasman

[junooni_radha]

Nice review and pics, om786...thanks .
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-- J_R
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Ishwar allah tere jahaan mein, nafrat kyon hai jung hai kyon?
Tera dil to itna badaa hai, insaan ka dil tang hai kyon?

[rocker]

thanks om786 for sharing
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Fear Of God Is The Begining Of Wisdom

[rameez00724]

Excellent review n pics Om! Still waiting for some video clips..
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It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

[rizwan]

Excellent pics Om! And yes I missed it
Man that sucks major. but glad to see ya'll made it.
Videos coming too hopefully?.
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check out my deviant art gallery

[khosh fami ka shikar]

" Mr. Chatterjee and Salman walking in. It was a very "non-rock-n-roll" entry. I have seen better entrances by Junoon but I guess it's the change of Image that brought humility to their entrance. "

i have also noticed that ..i think its bout time junoon starts doing big gigs like at central park etc
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Good governance and the rule of law are of fundamental importance for Pakistan to develop as a nation and become part of the developed world.

[Spock]

whoh nice shirts dude!!! im sure sal must have asked you about those shirts!!! what did you guys talk about and those are some really nicely taken pictures!!! is this the first time u met sal (i k now uve been to many gigs before)...
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Logic is only the beginning of wisdom, not the end...

[om786]

^ I have met Salman before but haven't chatted with him. Yes, he did notice he shirt and said that he liked it We talked briefly about how his music and his work has inspired me. It was a great experience.

Thanks for comments guys and No, I do not have any videos. I did see some guys taking videos so hopefully someone will post it.
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Called or not called, God will be there

[Shan Khan]

khosh fami ka shikar, where you also there?

And on the videos thing: We're having finals down here, but as soon as that is taken care of I'll get the videos up.

Shan
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hai jazba junoon, toh himmat na haar
justaju joh karey, woh chuay aasman

[chaein]

no doubt, NICE SHIRT of sal