Middle East music reviews

... "if dimension, fidelity, and artistry are more your bag, Live pretty much bites. --Sue VanHecke"

Sorry Sue, I can't agree with that. Saying the Bosstones lack artistry is almost laughable. The Tones showcase some of the most talented musicians I've come across in my time. Masterful bass playing, a tight brass section, excellent guitar work and frankly, Dicky Barrett's vocal's are individual, endearing and soulful.

All up a great CD!

Wow...wow is all I can say about this display of live concert music. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are my favorite band, and I completed my collection of their cd's by laying down $18 for this cd- and I don't regret it oooone bit.
Between the awesome blend of songs from all their albums and the raw energy being witnessed, this cd can please anyone who's in the room. Cd's such as Devil's Night Out and More Noises and Other Disturbances weren't all that great to me...but this cd has made me come to love both of those "okay" cd's just because hearing some older songs by MMB played live seemed to bring a new light over them!
It's plain and simple...BUY THIS ALBUM! It's a must-have for annny MMB fan.

Like the Grateful Dead, the Bosstones are better live than recorded. This is essentially a live greatest hits album. It has all the songs of theirs that I could name, good sound, and an amazing 22 tracks. It's the only Bosstones disc I need, especially with "Where'd you go", "Someday I suppose", and half of the "Let's face it" album. Who needs that anymore. If you enjoy that "live" energy, and listen to bands like Fishbone and The Reverend Horton Heat, you'll love this.

I bought this album completly at random about 5 years ago. It got drink spilled over it, stood on etc. I got hold of it again, and I remember why it was exposed it so much abuse: it was constantly on the player or on the coffee table, waiting to go on: it is a magical record. I don't know what the heck any of the songs are about, but it sounds great. Listwn to this record.

This is probably my favorite record ever. Some tunes make you want to dance, some make you want to cry, and a lot of them make you want to learn Yiddish.

boy,i'm speechless!
the combination of the klezmatiks and alberstein is phenomenal.words can't do justice to this music.
hear it for yourselves!

I bought this album completly at random about 5 years ago. It got drink spilled over it, stood on etc. I got hold of it again, and I remember why it was exposed it so much abuse: it was constantly on the player or on the coffee table, waiting to go on: it is a magical record. I don't know what the heck any of the songs are about, but it sounds great. Listwn to this record.

This is probably my favorite record ever. Some tunes make you want to dance, some make you want to cry, and a lot of them make you want to learn Yiddish.

boy,i'm speechless!
the combination of the klezmatiks and alberstein is phenomenal.words can't do justice to this music.
hear it for yourselves!

Tamally Maak is such a hot song, it has been ripped off by both Pakistani and Indian singers. A rip off version was even featured in the Indian movie "Murder". We all know that Amr Diab is the original and his music never bores the listener. Even if you don't know Arabic, you will enjoy his songs.

I dont know arabic, however this Album is soo captivating. There is some kind of magic in Amr Daib's voice. This CD is a must for music lovers!!!

I visited Egypt last year (wonderfull country and people). I've discovered this singer and my wife and I can't stop to listenning it. It is just absolutely awesome. Why this singer is not promotize on other countries?

i fell in love with ofra and her voice the first time i heard her .my first cd of ofra was desert wind which was given to me as a gift.i couldnt stop playing it.this 1997 album from ofra though is just perfect.i think all the songs are just great and if i had to pick 1 or 2 out which is difficult enough i think they would be "the sixth sense" which to me is the most beautiful song ever made and "no time to hate".from all cds that i own this is the absolute number one of them all.
this album will lift you up when down,it may even bring a few tears.if you are not familiar with ofra haza you must buy this album,you will not stop playing it.
ofra haza is an angel.she sings like an angel and i wish she was still with us making us happy with her music and songs.
I love you ofra haza

I am so happy to have purchased & received this CD today. By word of mouth from my very good friend, Chellie, I've been drawn to Ofra Haza's beautiful music. And of course, Chellie sent me some songs which had me sold. This happened around the time of Sarah Brightman's "HAREM" CD release in 2003. To those who aren't aware, Ofra Haza is heard on the track "MYSTERIROUS DAYS" on Sarah Brightman's "HAREM" CD. It's a small world, because Sarah Brightman's Producer, Frank Peterson, produced this albums as well. Unfortunately, it was Ofra's last album. If it hadn't been for her untimely death on February 23, 2000, we most likely would've been blessed by an equally stunning follow-up album.

My favorite songs are "IM NIN ALU", "SHOW ME" and "YOU". I've been playing them in mp3 form, for nearly 5 months straight! These songs are purely "Feel Good" songs, which draw the listener straight to Ofra's heart. Of course, all the songs are great...and they have an edgy, European feel, due to Frank Peterson's magic touch. Ofra showcased a remarkable, versatile style, unbeatable by far. From the first moment I played "YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND", I was amazed at the way she could make me feel, just by the way she sings. Carol King penned this song and I'm so happy Ofra had the opportunity to breathe it new life.

Compared to the other Ofra CD I own, titled "DESERT WIND"...there's simply NO comparison. It's like night & day. As "DESERT WIND" was very 80's influenced with light keyboards & not much bass..."OFRA HAZA" is heavier with a richer sound & more color. And...the songs on this CD are easier to listen to. The vocals, production & arrangements are genious, from start to finish. Here, we're hearing Ofra at her best. The melodies FIT Ofra's voice & tone perfectly. Too bad the CD is so short, because I could listen to it all day! If you want to give an ususpecting music lover an unforgettable gift, go and buy this CD for them!

Tracklist:
01. Show Me
02. Amore
03. Im Nin Alu-2000
04. Sixth Sense
05. My Ethiopian Boy
06. Ahava
07. No Time to Hate
08. You've Got a Friend
09. You
10. Give Me a Sign
11. One Day

Like I said...this gift is definitely worth every penny and should be in every true music lover's CD collection. I had 5 mp3s from this CD and couldn't find more. But now, my search is over because I own this remarkable album. Ofra by far, beats Natacha Atlas & Sarah Brightman. I am a fan of Sarah Brightman too, and I agree with another reviewer. Ofra's voice is heartwrenching and she sounds like she's singing past tears. To sing so beautiful, you have to be born with the talent. Since I've discovered Ofra, I don't believe there's another female artist who can meet Ofra's talent standards!

Ofra Haza has(or HAD) the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Truly the voice of an angel. I have just recently become interested in her music after finding out that it's her voice on that Paula Abdul song I've always liked(My love is for real). I always thought it was Paula who sang that background part & I wondered why she always sounded so boring in every other song but so good in this one! No wonder, it was Ofra singing, not Paula(no offense Paula, you're still great).

My favorite song of Ofra's is probably either Im Nin Alu or Gavriel. I love to sing along with her when I'm driving, I'm sure many people have gotten a good laugh hearing me belt out Hebrew 80's music! I am truly amazed by the clarity & timbre of her voice, and the ridiculously wonderful control she had over it. Her singing really does give me chills.

In a way I feel close to her b/c I have been told I resemble her. I can definitely see it, we have similar features & the same coloring. I'm Middle Eastern as well(Egyptian, not Israeli though). It is SO sad that she is dead now. Why couldn't it have been Britney Spears or someone other worthless tramp who can't sing?! The world lost its best singer 4 years ago with Ofra's death.

Wonderful Wedding Music from Palestine, a pefect example of the beauty that is apart of the Palestinian culture. The preservation of anything to do with real Palestine is important because we as a people need to be heard and understood. We have a wonderful culture that is threatened everyday that our country is occupied. So many of us are refugee's in countries that are not our home and a CD like this teaches that we are a good people. And that what is happening to us, is a travesty to humanity.

This is a wonderful album and I highly recommend it. El-Funoun's CD is innovative and creative. Yes the songs are traditionally based, but el-funoun has managed to build on this tradition and add to it producing something that is reflective of what Palestinian culture is today and not how it was in the past.
T

Fantastic!
Every single track is just fantastic. This demonstrates how rich and beautiful the Palestinian music and culture are, sadly, not known to many in the world.

Amazon, please bring us other Albums for El-Funoun, or any other world art of such quality, beauty and uniqueness!

I was searching for contemporary Arab music when I ran across this gem. Inspired by the music of the 'stans of Central Asia, this disc pairs Anouar Brahem's astounding oud playing with a clarinet and Moroccan drums (bendir and darbouka). The resulting fusion succeeds surprisingly well, comparable to the achievements in a different genre of Radio Tarife. Some of the tracks have a jazz quality reminiscent, at moments, of Benny Goodman. The highlight however is the unique title piece, which appears on two different tracks.

On the down side, I still find the first piece (by the clarinetist Barbaros Erkose) disappointing, even after repeated listening. Moreover, the clarinet is over modulated in a few spots. With these exceptions, the music and the sound quality are both superb. This disc will reward the listener with a wealth of detail when played on a good audio system.

Ohhhhh, what's that fantastic disk. No comment, it fabulous disk.
Thanks Mr. Anouar.

This is my first experience with oud music, and I have to say I love it very much. This is a very relaxing CD, and I plan to buy more of Brahem's music. The only thing I would say contrary is that the clarinet is too overpowering at times. I have to turn my volume down a tad. But on songs like 'Parfum de Gitane' the instrument sounds perfect and magical. Thanks for the great CD.

Nothing I can say about this CD will do it justice; it's superb. Simultaneously complex, clean, hypnotic, seductive, and reverant. El Din's voice and singing are impeccable and the instrumental work is brilliant.

If you enjoy this CD, then I highly recommend the work of Catherine Braslavsky and Joseph Rowe, particularly the CD "From Jerusalem to Cordoba". [...]

After seeing PASSION OF THE DESERT (which I saw ten times I was so mesmerized) I immediately bought this album which is the background of the movie. The song I could hear forever was "Helalisa" which reminds me of the great movie. Hamza is one of the greatest Middle Eastern musicans ever--it's the simplicity of just the oud and his sultry voice.

Hamza El Din is one of those amazing performers that you have been searching for your entire life. His vocal and musical abilities are sublime. At the same time, his music sounds both ancient and accessible. Hamza's music is meditational. The songs will gently paint pictures in your mind of the rolling Nubian desert scenery. Much is said of his musical abilities, but the rhythm is also a highlight as the doumbeks and handclaps add to the trance inducive sounds. His voice is very deep (like an Egyptian Johnny Cash) and his oud style expressive. Traditionally, the oud is an accompanying instrument and is almost never played by itself and usually does little or no improvisation. It is Hamza who can maintain the integrity of this music while being an innovator at the same time.

For those of you who know the Grateful Dead, you will know that the band worked with Hamza beginning with their trip to Egypt in 1978. Throughout the 70s and 90s, Hamza joined the band on stage many times -and for good reason. In the new millennium, Hamza still plays with Mickey Hart's Planet Drum.

Hamza has many great albums like "Songs of the Nile" (JVC, 1982) and "Lily of the Nile" (Water Lily Acoustics, 1990) but this is his best. While I've heard a few songs here played on other albums, there's something special about "Eclipse." The only explanation is producer Mickey Hart.

Did you know that the oud is the root instrument where the modern electric guitar comes from? Travel back to your roots, to the collective roots of humanity and listen to something that is both ancient and timeless.

If you like instrumental Music, Arabic, Western Classicas and Jazz ,then this is one of the best mixture of Middle Eastern ( Mediterranean ) and Western Classics & Jazz Music I have ever heard, it is like a fresh breath of air. I highly recommend it. I hope Mr.Simon Shaheen produces more such a wonderfull Music in near future.

Simon Shaheen is a true master of the oud and a brilliant composer. His treatment of the oriental and western musical heritage is respectful while in the same time managing to be genuinly innovative. A feat that needs a true master of improvisation to be accomplished. His virtuosity in the art of taqasim and his sensitivity towards western music reminds me of the skill and power of Udi Georgo Bacanos, the legendary turkish oud master that set the standard for generations to come. Whether you like traditional oriental music, multi-cultural jaming or time honoured jazz this album should satisfy you completely.

Shaheen's amazing talent fuses middle eastern melodies with rythmic, soulful jazz - creating an album that is a joy to listen to and that has a soothing effect on the soul.
Buy this album - let the music take you to different shores ~ truly, a brilliant compilation of art at its best!

I found Ghazal's live recording -The Rain- to be a mesmerizing fusion of Persian music with Indian Raga(5-stars). But I have been disappointed with other recordings that I have sought out,for the simple reason that I find Ghazal's repertoire to be surprisingly limited.This disc for example has only the 3rd track that is "new",the other 3 tracks are variations of what is on the live recording. Same melodic lines with fresh improvised structures.Sure,this is a fine recording with outstanding musicianship and thus will serve to treat the first time listener with a delightful experience. however, Iam sad to say that one only needs to own any one of their recordings and that is all. It is a repetitious-repertoire...on disc,however,this music really lives on the stage,it is a living-tradition that perhaps was never meant to be "recorded".

Ghazal keeps a beautiful flow of music floating around your mind.

I have got many CDs of Persian music but I consider this one the most beatiful among them.
The sound experience of the players and the mastery of instruments show through the whole album but it's in "Traces of the Beloved" (4th track) that you can find confirmation of that.
If I were in everyone of you fans of persian music, I'd buy this CD with no hesitation at all. It lasts almost 75 minutes and you enjoy every moment.
You can clearly notice how well Kalhor and Husain Khan play their improvisations with one mind and one heart. There are moments in which one player leaves way to the other and viceversa.
Tip: the first time you listen to this CD, don't be envolved in other mansions. Just list to the music and let your mind fly hand in hand with the setar of Sujaat Husain Khan.