Let me tell you about how I became interested in Googoosh-

I met Googoosh through a Persian friend, Masoud, who owned 'Shiraz
Kebab' - a kebab shop in my neighbourhood. While I was busy studying I
would go to his shop at least three nights a week to get dinner. He was
always playing Persian music (or Elton John!) and I quickly developed
two favourites - Googoosh, and Bijan Mortazavi. What I loved most of
all about Persian music were the beautiful violins! Masoud was always
impressed that I liked Persian music, he'd lend me tapes, and he'd
always come to my concerts to see me play the violin.

Anyway, at university I was studying towards a Bachelor of Performing
Arts (majoring in popular music), but I took anthropology papers on the
side. In the second year we were allowed to choose our own topic for a
'World Music' paper–– Obviously, I chose Persian music, and ever since
then I have been dedicated to obsessively reading books, listening to
new CDs and scouring the internet for any new information... That's how
I came across this wonderful website!

Currently, I am in the first year of a two year Masters degree at
Melbourne University, and my whole focus is Persian music! My favourite
old Googoosh song is 'Gol Bi Goldoune' (Masoud translated it into
English for me), and my favourite new one is 'Bouye Safar'. Even though
I haven't really 'met' Googoosh, I feel like I know her through her
music. She seems to have this innate ability to connect people with
each other. I would love to have the chance to see Googoosh live in concert,
and I would love (very much) to go to Iran someday soon.


Bronwen Robertson acoustic@orcon.net.nz