Album Review: Дутор Тароналари by З. Абидов & М. Юнусов – A Folk Odyssey from 1969 USSR
Alright, buckle up, folks. This one’s a trip down memory lane—well, not my memory lane, since I wasn’t even a glimmer in my great-granddad’s eye back in ’69—but trust me, it’s worth the detour. We’re diving into Дутор Тароналари (which roughly translates to “Dutar Melodies”), an absolute gem of folk gold from Uzbekistan, courtesy of З. Абидов and М. Юнусов. Released under the Soviet label Мелодия, this album is like sipping chai on a dusty caravan trail: earthy, raw, and kinda magical.
Now, let’s get real for a sec. The whole thing is steeped in traditional Uzbek sounds, driven by that twangy two-stringed wonder, the dutar. And man, does it deliver. But instead of droning on about all 12 tracks (because ain’t nobody got time for that), I’ll zoom in on two standouts that stuck with me like pilaf stains on your favorite shirt.
First up: “Эй, Кунгул”. Oh boy. If this track doesn’t make you want to grab a dutar and start strumming wildly while spinning around your living room, you might need to check your pulse. It’s lively, jaunty, and feels like someone bottled up the spirit of a bustling bazaar and poured it straight into your ears. There’s something about the rhythm here—it’s infectious without being overbearing, like a friendly cat weaving between your legs. You don’t realize how much you needed this kind of joy until you hear it.
Then there’s “Лайли Бадахшон”, which hits different. Where “Кунгул” is upbeat and cheeky, this one slows things down and gets all introspective on ya. The melody feels like staring at stars in the desert sky—vast, haunting, and just a little bit lonely. It’s the kind of tune that makes you pause mid-bite of your kebab and go, “Wow… life is weirdly beautiful.” Hats off to Узбекские Нар. Мелодии (Uzbek folk melodies) for crafting something so timeless.
What strikes me most about Дутор Тароналари is its authenticity. No flashy production tricks or Auto-Tuned vocals—just two dudes and their dutars, letting the music speak for itself. In today’s world of TikTok hits and EDM drops, albums like this feel almost rebellious. Like, hey, who needs lasers when you’ve got strings?
And honestly? Listening to this record feels like eavesdropping on history. These songs have roots older than my grandma’s pickling recipes, yet they still resonate. Maybe because humanity hasn’t changed as much as we think. We’re all still dancing, crying, laughing, and searching for meaning—just with fancier phones now.
So, final verdict? If you’re looking for some soul-soothing, foot-tapping escapism, give Дутор Тароналари a spin. Just don’t blame me if you suddenly develop an urge to learn the dutar or book a flight to Tashkent. Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it that З. Абидов once said he wrote these tracks after eating too many apricots. True or not, I believe it. There’s definitely a fruity vibe going on here.
Catch you later, music nerds. Stay groovy.
