Carol Smaha, the Lebanese entertainer has released her latest album three days ago. This is her first in more than three and a half years. “Hdoudi El Samah”, which translates to the sky is my limit. The thing that makes Carol unique about most other Arab singers other than her superior and powerful voice is her ability to make various songs in almost all Arabic dialects and then make sure that those songs are mega hits and do so without the backing of a major label. Carol is constantly on the move, she is always filming something, staring in a play with the Rahbani, appearing in Sea of the Stars movie. She seems to challenge herself to introduce new music to her fans, songs that will make her shine over hundreds of half baked talents that occupy in the Arab pop scene. Unlike other Arab starlets she does not prostitute her celebrity status to sell fnas beverages, jeweleries and now cellphones. I think this album is meant for those who are emotional mature, a group that Carol is best equipped to connect with. Few days ago rivals of Carol accuse her of using foreign talented and try to score points by pointing out Carol’s constant collaboration with a French director and his production company as appose to giving her business to some Arabic director. Carol came out and argued that the French production company charges fees that are a lot less than with Arab production companies charge–her rivals know this is true as making a music video in an Arab company can cost a fortune now. As a fan of Carol’s and a constant follower of her collaboration with the French production company, I bless that union and wish to see more music.
As far as the songs on the new album, Carol had me at the first three single songs and the rest of the album got better and better as every song feels like a unique experience and not just made to sell CDs. This comes because Carlos has three and half years of work in this album, not 12 months the Average time stars give themselves to deliver an album. In other words, one cannot rush creativity and put forward thinking on a deadline. Here is my take on Carol’s album:
01. Hdoudy El Sama, a new style of music where the female singer tells her lover in the most affection manner that she is out of his league.
02. Khallik Behalak, the sincerity of Carol’s voice and the passion she uses addressing her loved one is one of a kind.
03. Ma Bkhaf, I love the song’s style and Carol’s look in the video. I like the fact that in this song, she is telling her rivals and critics that she is unafraid and indeed does wants and says what’s in her heart. (Video Below)
04. Ala Soutak, a sweet sincere song in which Carol flirts with her lover and how his voice that gives her comfort and truly gets her.
05. Meen Allak, using her sweeter side to talk things out with her lover whose even when he tries to be harsh, he fails.
06. A’oul Ansak, calling in your lost love to take a trip down memory lane is never easy, Carol reminds you how hard breakups can be.
07. Awel Ma Abeltak, Carol has a gift for making her fans relieve experiences they had in the bast by touching all the right notes.
08. Nadeit, Telling your loved ones that you have finally realized how great they are is never too easy or never too late. I should take notes from Carol.
09. Zabahny, a great song in the Gulf accent that not only earned her new admirers in the Gulf (they pay top dollars for concerts and by original CDs) but the average listener can also enjoy it. (Video Below)
10. Rag’alak, a song that Carol released this summer as a single, Carol’s voice makes listeners wish their loved ones loved them as much as she loves her lover. (Video Below)
11. Jeet – Majnouni, a song that Carol released last winter as part of the Sea of the Stars sound track, it’s a cute fun song (Video Below)
12. Yama Layali, the first single that Carol released more than a year ago, as always Carol transforms the song into a mature emotional experience that connects well with listeners across the board. (Video Below)
13. Ali, a spunky folklore song with a hint of Broadway and splashing fun times. (Video Below)
Enjoy those videos…In less than 12 months Carol has established an entire media library, check out her styles.
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