Traces of an Old Vineyard

As a tribute to a defiant and rich heritage and to a world of beauty and unknown depth, the celebrated Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat. 

After six albums with different kinds of collaboration (with her sister Marjan, with the American soul singer Mighty Sam McClain and with the Norwegian choir SKRUK), she now for the first time carries a project under her own name.

The album contains her own melodies to poems by the classical Iranian poets Khayyam, Hafez and Rumi. The musicians who are accompanying her are Tord Gustavsen on piano and keyboards, Shervin Mohajer on the Persian string instrument kamancheh and Ali Rahimi on percussion.

The poems on the record express a great variation on the many aspects of love and life: devotion, desires, ecstasy, tensions, disappointments and sorrows. The musical idea of the album is to develop the beauty of Persian poetry and vocal tradition within the frame of a meeting between Iranian contemporary instrumental music and a jazz pianist. All the songs are arranged by Tord Gustavsen with whom Mahsa has worked several times before.

The recording was done in Kulturkirken Jakob, Oslo in September 2014 by the sound engineer Martin Abrahamsen and the producer Erik Hillestad. 

The album is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Fond for Utøvende Kunstnere.

Mahsa Vahdat has been granted the Freemuse Award (2010). Her previous projects have been given great reviews in many countries. “Twinklings of hope” (2012) was regarded as a “Top of the World Album” by the Songlines Magazine, and won the “Independent Music Award” in 2013. 

Track list: 

1. Vanishing Lines                                               4:16

2. My Ruthless Companion                                3:57

3. Sleepless Eyes                                                6:05

4. Wind in Tresses                                              5:21

5. Pledge With the Jar                                       4:26

6. Beauty on the Run                                         5:01

7. Morning Sun of Hope                                     3:04

8. Kissing the Wine Jug                                     4:20

9. The Flower's Garment                                   3:51

10. Once Again Beside Myself                          6:02

11. Fire in the Heart                                            4:40

12. Dialogue with the Beloved                          4:56