Aldoush Alpanian is a gifted composer, producer, vocalist and guitarist whose musical journey bridges two worlds. He started singing at sixteen and picked up the guitar at twenty-two. His playing was entirely Western and had no connection to his native Persian music — he didn't truly begin to understand Persian music until after the 1980s, when he reconnected to his inner child. He moved to Northern California with his lifelong friend and music partner Koorosh Angali, and their changing vision began to coalesce and expand.
Living in an area that was a hotbed for a growing world music scene, they formed The Human Exchange and started performing. Their arrangements blend traditional Persian classical folk melodies and rhythms with Western harmonies rooted in jazz and classical styles. Never before had Persian music been brought to the West with such creativity and innovation.
Koorosh Angali — visual artist, poet, musician, and writer — is the winner of numerous awards and scholarships in visual arts, music, and academic endeavors. A prolific multi-talented scholar: painter, poet, bassist, stage actor, and a virtuoso exponent of Rumi's poetry and Persian classical literature. His compositions have been published and performed profusely, and for many years followers of Rumi's philosophy have enjoyed Koorosh's distinctive style in interpreting the poetry of this 13th century Persian philosopher.
Aldoush also recorded a full rock album: This Life — with all songs in English — a collection of music he worked on for 25 years, representing a dramatic evolution: from the Persian-world music of The Child Within to world-class rock blending pop, rock, reggae, blues, jazz and Middle Eastern influences on Yellow Curb Records.
"Resoundingly entrancing"
— BAM Magazine
"Fusion…in favor of ensemble fluidity, which has a seductive and serpentine appeal"
— SF Bay Guardian
Aldoush Alpanian
Aldoush Alpanian
★ 1993 San Francisco Weekly Wammies Award
Best World Music Album of the Year — The Child Within by The Human Exchange (Koorosh Angali & Aldoush Alpanian). The first album created based on X·DOT·25 Music's "Persian Art Music" concept.
★ Coming Soon — A Sequel, 35 Years On ★
The Child Within II — Aldoush
Three-and-a-half decades after The Child Within helped define the X DOT 25 Music sound, the sequel arrives. Built around previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions — now reworked, expanded, and paired with new material — The Child Within II continues the conversation that began in 1992.
Gallery
Videos
Aldoush & The Human Exchange — live performances
Goli Joun — Live Performance
Tiger Blue — Indian Blues
Heart of Gold
Friendship
Discography
★ Wammies Award Winner · Best World Music 1993
The Child Within
Aldoush & The Human Exchange
1992
An exotic new sound combining ancient Iranian village music with Persian lyrics by Koorosh Angali — blending Persian classical folk melodies with Western jazz and classical harmonies. The first album based on X DOT 25 Music's "Persian Art Music" concept. Winner of the San Francisco Weekly 1993 Wammies Award.
A collaborative album bringing together Aldoush Alpanian and longtime friend Davood Ajir — a guitarist Aldoush first played with as a teenager in Iran. Persian poetry by Koorosh Angali pairs with folk traditions and original compositions, woven through acoustic guitar, voice, and rich arrangement work.
1. The Secret of Flying 5:36
2. Desire to Fly 9:20
3. Stand Up 4:02
4. Dear Goli 7:22
5. Rifle 7:04
6. Rain & Dust 5:03
7. Navaey 9:40
8. My Heart 8:55
Genre: World Contemporary Folk
Produced & Mixed: Aldoush Alpanian & Davood Ajir Aldoush Alpanian: Vocals, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Mastering Davood Ajir: Arranger, Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Programming, Mastering Lyrics by: Koorosh Angali (except My Heart, Rifle, Stand Up & Navaey — folklore) Graphic Design: X DOT 25 Music
★ Featured Musician
Davood Ajir
Guitarist, Arranger, Vocalist, Bassist, Composer
Born in 1951 in Tehran, Iran. Graduated in classical guitar from the French Academy School of Music. Performed for 23 years across Europe with many different artists and opened his own school of music (Guitar Claviers). He was 17 when he joined Aldoush’s band Fire Ball for three years — the start of a friendship and musical partnership that resurfaces here on Desire to Fly.
PRELUDE
بیا به جمع ما
بیا به جمع ما
که جمله عاشقانیم LOVE (AMOON AZ DASTE ESHGH)
Enter, enter, oh you seeker
Welcome, welcome to the flicker
Sparks of rejoicing shimmer in this air
Flakes of love shower on your thirsty flair
PRELUDE بیا به جمع ما
بیا به جمع ما
که جمله عاشقانیم بمان کنار ما
بخوان کنار ما
که فاتح جهانیم در این ترانهها بود نشانهها
که حال خود ندانیم سرود زندگی نوای بندگی
بخوان که همزبانیم بیا به کوی ما بیا به سوی ما
که سر ز پا نداریم نشین به جمع ما نگر به شأن ما
سرود غم چه خوانیم از این مزار خاک بخور تو جام پاک
که شهد جان بدانی LOVE (AMOON AZ DASTE ESHGH) English:
Enter, enter, oh you seeker
Welcome, welcome to the flicker
Sparks of rejoicing shimmer in this air
Flakes of love shower on your thirsty flair Persian:
امون از دست عشق دمی با عاشقون هم پیشه گشتوم
دمی با ظالمون هم تیشه گشتوم
چو به میدون ندیدوم جون آزاد
رفیق و دمخور اندیشه گشتوم دلوم از خنجر اندیشه خونه
نپرسیدوم کسی که اندیشه چونه
دل دریا چه گونه گیر آبه
که تو خونش هزار و گونه گونه امون از دست عشق قفسو بسته عشق
امون از دست ما که شدیم مست عشق امون از دست عشق قفسو بسته عشق
امون از دست ما که شدیم مست عشق غریبی تشنه و سر در گریبون
کویری یا بسونو دیده بارون
لبونوم خشک و حق حق بود شب و روز
دو چشموم ترتر از دریای دامون
دل عاشق که روز و شب نداره
چه بیماری که حتا حب نداره
چه گویم با دل خونین که حتا
ز حجم عشق جای تب نداره امون از دست عشق قفسو بسته عشق
امون از دست ما که شدیم مست عشق دل و درد غریبی یک دو تا نیست
به جز وصلت بر این علت دوا نیست از این بار امانت شونه در کن
که این خاک مدور جای ما نیست
از این آشفتگی ای دل حذر کن
به کوی عاشقون پیمونه سر کن
در این امواج جوشان نعمتی نیست
بیا منزل به دریای دگر کن امون از دست عشق قفسو بسته عشق
امون از دست ما که شدیم مست عشق
3. Prince of Love (Shahzadeh Eshgh)
The Child Within · Lyrics: Koorosh Angali
Yonder in the wheat fields, gold nuggets of grain
Have sprouted gracefully in the shimmering plain
A vow is in order — these fields are for keeps
The offspring of the human should know that prosperity reaps
He who sows the seeds of love
English: Yonder in the wheat fields, gold nuggets of grain
Have sprouted gracefully in the shimmering plain
A vow is in order — these fields are for keeps
The offspring of the human should know that prosperity reaps
He who sows the seeds of love Our forefathers left this land in our trust
Safeguard it restlessly against evil we must
This precious, precious land is the temple of God,
Zoroaster, Cyrus, Parthian, and Mad Devil would try his best from time to time
O'er it to cast a wicked spell
Wishing for this lovely land to be,
The terrible dungeon of the scornful Hell Against all this profanity with all our soul and might
Joyfully and gracefully, we must ne'er cease our fight
Find the Prince of Love we must, O' we must
Leave this cherished land in his trust Strut in the fields, then, here and there
Scatter seeds of joy and not despair
We must not be lazy, deplorable, or weary
Whilst we can be alive and prosper merrily Persian:
شاهزاده عشق ببین محصولامون چه خوب دراومده
دیگه رنج یکسالهمون سراومده
دونههای گندما مث حب طلاست
که از خاک جوونه طلایی سرزده بیا کدخدا دست بدست هم بدیم
که تا جون داریم دشتو از دست ندیم
تو این خاک بیا بذر سعادت بکاریم
از این محصولا به بچههامونم بدیم بیا درس عشق به بچههامون بدیم
بیا درس عشق به بچههامون بدیم پدرها به ما یک امونت دادن
دادن تا که ما جون داریم تو بدن
اونو حفظ کنیم از کف دیو بلا
بسازیم از اون خونه پاک خدا اگه شیطون اومد طلسمش کنه
بخواد ما رو درگیر اسمش کنه
شیشه عمرشو پیدا کنیم و بشکنیم
تا که دود بشه ریشهشو برکنیم بریم شاهزاده عشقو پیدا کنیم
بیاریم توی ده اونو شاه کنیم توی صحرا بریم اینجا اونجا بریم
هر طرف ما بریم دون بپاشیم
خسته از کار نشیم مست و پروار نشیم
مردهزار نشیم زنده باشیم
4. Persian Miniature
The Child Within · Instrumental
(Instrumental)
(Instrumental)
5. Ritual of New Year (Norooz)
The Child Within · Lyrics: Koorosh Angali
Sweet smell of violets streams through the town
Whilst maiden of delight, with her Narcissus crown
Brings joy in a salver to effuse in our hearts
Girls dance in the streets chanting songs of love
English: Sweet smell of violets streams through the town
Whilst maiden of delight, with her Narcissus crown
Brings joy in a salver to effuse in our hearts
Girls dance in the streets chanting songs of love
Children play with their rattles; rejoice their lusty chests
Grandmothers, in their living rooms, entertain their guests
Girls in groups of many roam into the pastoral scene
Recite the ritual of Seez-dah, making ties of grass and greens
Wishing to be a bride in this year with such dreams Watching all this panorama would fill your eyes with tears
Not of sorrow, but of joy — the spring is here. Persian:
نوروز این روزا از خونه ما بوی بنفشه جاریه
از دل بینیاز ما غصه و غم فراریه
گلای باغچه تو نسیم رقص دلانگیز میکنن
دلای بیتابمونو از شوق لبریز میکنن دخترا روی گیسشون گلای نرگس میزنن
تو سبزهها ترانهها از عشق و شادی میخونن بچهها توی کوچهها جغجغهبازی میکنن
مادربزرگا تو خونه مهموننوازی میکنن عید اومده تو خونهها سفره هفتسین بذارین
تو سفرههای رنگارنگ نقلای شیرین بذارین
اون حاجی فیروزو ببین باز همه رو میخندونه
هزار غمم داشته باشه بازم ز شادی میخونه بهار میاد تو کوچهها نسیم دلکش میاره
تو قلب پرامید ما گلای شادی میکاره دسته به دسته دخترا سیزدهرو بهدر میکنن
با امید عروس شدن گره به سبزه میزنن
6–7. Deliverance (Raha-Ee)
The Child Within · Dedicated to Emmett Kaake
Dedicated to Emmett Kaake Distress, distress, distress
The agony of perplexity
Into my soul yielded deplority
I prayed and prayed a cold sigh in vain
Release me from all grief and pain
Dedicated to Emmett Kaake English:
Distress, distress, distress
The agony of perplexity
Into my soul yielded deplority
I prayed and prayed a cold sigh in vain
Release me from all grief and pain In the end I found refuge
In the bosom of sorrow
As an infant would sneak
Into its mother's arms to borrow
Respite. Yonder an oracle, I heard all at once
A light — the Creator — illuminated in response
The everlasting Spring, forever to be
The eternal love and enlightenment came to me The bird of the sun, caressing my skin
I tasted the sweet flavor of the rain
As a flock of angels were sprinkling henna
Over the golden-orange plain
What a dream it was, what a dream!
This was divine promise, it seemed
For better days to come. Deliverance, freedom — I had the master key and gears
My beloved at my side, yet my eyes were filled with tears
Out of blindness How did I expect to reach happiness so poor-spiritedly
With my inner eye blindfolded so benightedly?
The Oracle, I remember, uttered to me:
"Ope thy orb, a coward don't you be
Dare thyself to take sail in the ocean of divine love
Oh, you enlightened free-spirited dove!" Persian:
رهائی پریشونی پریشونی پریشونی درد حیرونی
به جونم بود خزونم بود چه حال زاری نمیدونی دعا ها می کردم به صد آه سردم
رها تا کنه از غم و دردم از این سر گردونی بلای حیرونی
به دامن غمها پناه بردم صدا اومد ندا اومد از آسمون نور خدا اومد
بهار خندید دو چشمم دید که اون دلبرخوش ادا اومد چکید طعم بارون به روی لبهامون
نشست مرغ خورشید رو تن هامون انگار از آسمون هزارتا فرشته
حنا می زدن بر تن هامون چه رویائی چه رویائی پی امروز چه فردایی
بهار ما بهاری خوش کنار ما نگاری خوش رها بودن رها بودن کلید اون در کف ما بود
نگار ما کنار ما ولی چشمامون یه دریا بود از پس پلک بسته دلای شکسته
چه راهی برای رسیدن هست یه دم چشمو وا کن دلت رو دریا کن
که از دریای عشق شوی سرمست
8. Goli Joon
The Child Within · Lyrics: Koorosh Angali
Roaming in the green fields — a graceful strut
Playful, lusty Zephyrus thrown with you his lot
Indignant Flora, although jealous of this deed
Paves your path with floral carpet singing "Godspeed"
English: Roaming in the green fields — a graceful strut
Playful, lusty Zephyrus thrown with you his lot
Indignant Flora, although jealous of this deed
Paves your path with floral carpet singing "Godspeed" The breezy fingers of Favonius
Through your hair and skirt
I wonder if it's erroneous:
Such grace was made of dirt Earthly love is ephemeral
To the clouds we should flit
Where amorous Pygmalion's heart
With Galatea's glance would be lit
And Helios, the God Sun
Roams about on his steed
While nesting mother of rain
Is impregnated by his seed Goli, my beloved
Oh, remedy of all my pain
Folks would try to stop us
Of this divine love, but all in vain. Persian:
گلی جون تو دشت و صحرا گلی جون مست و خرامون
میون گلها میزنی پرسه و جولون دومنتو باد میزنه اینور و اونور
گیس بلندت میزنه به هر طرف سر گلی دورت بگردم گلی دوای دردم
گلی حیا نکن از حرف مردم بیا بریم به صحرا رها بشیم ز حرفا
فرار کنیم بریم اون سر دنیا دشتو نگاه کن چشماتو وا کن
زندگی ما گلی جون تو دشت و صحراست
گلی جون اون سر دنیاست بیا رها شیم من و تو ما شیم
خاک جای ما نیست گلی جون
بیا واسه رها شدن ابر هوا شیم آدما نیش میزنن
دلتو ریش میکنن
زخم پر درد تنن باید بریم بقچه رو ور دار
گلی جون حالا دیگه وقت فراره
موندن دیگه فایده نداره
9. Juicy Pomegranate
The Child Within · Lyrics: Scott Hill
Press on the skin and the juices within
Will explode in your mouth with amorous sweetness and life Surrender the senses to red spheres of splendor
They hang from the tree — the round, juicy pomegranates
Press on the skin and the juices within
Will explode in your mouth with amorous sweetness and life Surrender the senses to red spheres of splendor
They hang from the tree — the round, juicy pomegranates Taste of life, a wine from the seeds of the sun
A treasure of mine for you (Lyrics by Scott Hill)
10–11. Zolaikha
The Child Within · Lyrics: Koorosh Angali
At dawn the divine hand
Diffuses gold particles o'er the fields
Lady Sun, in her floral attire
In the brick adobes she yields
To pay visit to early birds
English: At dawn the divine hand
Diffuses gold particles o'er the fields
Lady Sun, in her floral attire
In the brick adobes she yields
To pay visit to early birds Zolaikha, oh, Zolaikha
Behold how fair and lovely the morning is
God's hand is leading away
As riders of the sweet breeze:
Colorful flowers, in herds Let us go to God's sacred dwelling
Pick a bounty of love-flowers
In His affectionate face
Would we see our latter hours and tomorrows to come To scatter love-flowers over the village,
Let us borrow thousands of hands
Reciting tales of love for children
Let us carry this hearty errand to the storyteller of the village The sun is sprinkling the wheat fields
With various lovely tints
Running her fingers through our hair
For a divine copulation
Tis all but a hint of invitation In the harem of divinities
We lie down, our bodies shimmering gems
As the Zephyr kisses the faces of children
And people pay homage to them Persian:
زلیخا آفتاب داره سر میزنه رو خونههای کاهگلی
خورشید خانم میاد بیرون با پیرهن گلگلی
رنگ طلایی میپاشن به سینه کوه و دشت
غرق نفس میشه دلا میرن به سیر و گلگشت زلیخا ای زلیخا ببین چه صبح قشنگه
دست خدا ببین پر از گلای رنگوارنگه بیا بریم پیش خدا گلای عشق بچینیم
تو صورت پاک خدا فردامونو ببینیم
هزار سبد گل بیاریم میون ده بپاشیم
به بچهها از عشق بگیم قصهگوی ده باشیم ز روز خلقتم جز قصهای من بشنیدم
از این گردون بیدم
کنون دانم حقیقت در خود ماست
حقیقت نیست جز اندیشه و تن ای داد بیداد خورشید داره رنگ میپاشه رو زلفای گندما
انگار که پنجه میندازه تو زلفای مردما نسیم که بوسه میزنه به صورت بچهها
آدما کورنش میکنن به حرمت بچهها