The World And All That It Holds
Smithsonian Folkways, 2023
8/10
Listen to The World And All That It Holds
The Bosnian singer, songwriter and sevdah tradition-bearer Damir Imamović brings us a listen full of original compositions and traditional songs in Bosnian and Sephardic Ladino, where the tales of love, loss, hardship and perseverance resonate with much emotion.
“Sinoc (Last Night)” gets the listen off to an intimate start, where moody drums and hypnotic bass alongside the soothing tambur make an impression, and “Bejturan (Wormwood)” follows with an upbeat delivery of rich and rhythmic musicianship that allows Imamović’s diverse pipes to flow amid the meticulous strings.
In the middle, the dreamy “Kad Ja Podem Draga (When I Leave, My Dear)” welcomes the cultured melodies and gorgeous singing, while “Osmane” uses firm drums and pretty tar strumming for the album’s best.
Residing near the end, the meticulous “Snijeg Pade (The Snow Has Fallen)” soars with both tension and grace, where the low rumbling guides the lush delivery, and “Koliko Je Sirom Svijeta (As Vast As The World)” exits with warm clarinet and poetic singing populating the heartfelt finish.
The sounds of accordion, bass, clarinet, percussion, tambur, tar and violin are all present, and under Imamović’s vision it embraces his home of Sarajevo, and makes for a worldly, delicate and expressive listen.
Travels well with: Trad.Attack!- Bring It On; Roopa Panesar- ATMA