Rotana Picks Iraqi Musician Anwar Dragh--He is Good!

Rotana is releasing a new music video for Anwar Dragh, a song about pomegranates. It's a nice colorful music video where nature takes center stage. This feels like a vintage song made best for Debka Dance--it sounds like something you would hear in Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It's a nice dance song with vintage lyrics.

The singer is Anwar Daragh who is a composer that started to sing. And gladly he did a good job, his voice is pretty authentic and glad that Rotana picked him and released his album. He is a really good guy as I was told by a fellow Iraqi musician.

This song reminds of the pop songs that we used to get decades ago, they are not trying too hard and it sounds like an intimate song with little noise. Even the music video is relaxing.
 

Anwar Dragh … Fart Elroman Khedodah - Video Clip | انور دراغ … فرط الرمان خدوده - فيديو كليب

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Folklore! The UAE Most Manly Dance "Yola" or "Yula"

Call is, Yola or Yula dance, the most famous traditional dance from the United Arab Emirates, this is one of many danced celebrated in the local folklore....here are some footage of the dance, a manlly dance where traditional it involved a gun, a fun group of men who like to do some moves with their hands at it looks like juggling....

Swords, machine guns, and luckily now they have props and fake weapon look-alike...it seems like a fun traditional dance standing in a stunning fashion with the drums. This s a popular dance, but due to a recent win by the ruler of Dubai where his horse "African Story" took home the title..so in celebration prince Moe danced Yola

محمد بن راشد يتسلم كأس فوز "افريكان ستوري" لجودولفين ببطولة العالم للخيل


رقصة اليولة | فن شعبي إماراتي أصيل


رقص اليوله - دبي مول

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"Al Samer" Is A Palestinian Dance That Is Older Than Israel Itself

In the West Bank and some parts of Jordan men at weddings have been celebrating happy occasions with this dance known as Sahjat Al Samer a traditional dance done in weddings with men dancing and singing in a group.

the dance has a cool story behind it like this video from Northern Ramallah, it utilizes story-telling, taking pride in family and country. There is also flirting, this is cool and families want to make sure to do this dance that represents folks who lived in Palestine centuries ago.

There is a leader for the dance who everyone follows to make sure things sync, according to the spokesperson he dishes on the history and how fathers teach their kids. I like how there are different styles that blends real stories with fictional ones that keep this an entertaining.  

سحجة السامر في بلدة سنجل شمال رام الله - هارون عمايرة

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Listen: Marwan Chami - Khebez w Meleh 2014 The #Salt Song

Marwan Chami wanted a song about the salt of this earth, a song about a man who does a good deed, only to get bitten in the ass for it. This is Marwan Chami, who brings the party with his voice with the latest single from this handsome devil. Bread and Salt is the title of his song, he is only singing it, the lyrics and the music is pretty fun to listen to. The title is the Arab way of saying, "we go back", we have broke bread together so we are close.

This is a Levant style which is popular in more than one country. Marwan is Lebanese and he is upbeat, the song released on a number of radios, the impressive thing about Chami's voice is that he sounds as an old man who has a lot of wisdom to offer.

I like the title, and I like the material and the style flows, it's a happy sad song.


Marwan Chami - Khebez w Meleh 2014 / مروان الشامي - خبز و ملح

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I Chose A Tent Over Your Palace "Lahjor Gasrak" Song

This is a very old song that the original artists is not even mentioned when we hear it. But as far as I can tell this artist sang it first. the song is about a love that has ceased to exist...it's so bad that one lover is willing to abandon the comfortable living of a palace to go back into the desert living in a tent.

George Wassouf has sang this song in few of his performances, and live this song takes a different life. Jordan seems to be the place where this songs is requested. It's a folksy song, Arabs like this song it reminds them of the past--some even have lived this style of living. This is a good song with simple lyrics that talk about love and the lack of it.

جورج وسوف - لهجر قصرك George Wassouf - Lahjor Gasrak


George Wassouf 2011 Jarash Festival - Lahjour Gasrak جورج وسوف - لهجر قصرك

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The Colorful Iraqi Musican From Austria Rita Mofsisian

The MBC version of The voice--produced by Lebanese Saudi venture introduced us to many talents, some are fine voices, some are original voices, some are amazing personalities, some can sell albums, some can take you to cloud 9 once they sing something. One of these voices is Iraqi Austrian musician and vocalist Rita Mofsisian  who sounds like one of the original Iraqi gypsy kings.

Rita is not short of confidence, and she knows she is not competing for votes, she just wants to entertain. She only got the attention of Iraqi super-stat Kadem Al Saher whose chair turned, the rest of the coaches, did not bother. Rita is native of Baghdad, who spend the bulk of her time in Vienna living and working on her music career. She explored a number of styles form around the world--she seems to be influenced by Iraqi oldies and Flamenco music. Aside from music, she had a degree in business where she used to hold a number of day jobs.

Her first song came at the age of 10 and ever since Rita has been singing when given a venue. In 2003, she started working on unearthing old Armenian and Iraqi folkloric songs. She has also an interest in Jazz and has performed in many occasions at her home in Vienna. This makes me think, her voice is a perfect tool for intercultural events and folksy festivals around the world.

ريتا موفسيسيان "نوبة مخمرة ونوبة مغشاية" - #MBCTheVoice

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Iconic Diab Mashhour, We Love You And Love You Music #Syria

The name is Diab Mashhour,, he is a Syrian singer known best for singing in the old folksy style for the Euphrates river.  His songs were often incorporated on TV shows, and dramas. He shot to fame in the seventies when he sang on Duraid Laham shows.

For many, he is a legend, and beloved singer who had only the best and most simple songs that sounded so traditional yet so entertaining. At first he was a local singer, then moved into radio and he was certified as a singer in Damascus. He is so popular that he toured the world bringing his music to all the 21 Arabic countries, and best he traveled to the States, Greece, Spain, Briton, Philippine, Thailand where he had concerts.

He is still active in the music scene to make his fans happy....his style and dialect offer something unique beloved by pretty much all Arabs. He is one of these Syrian artists who talk a local culture and made a huge name for himself doing so. Syria loved him and his fans adore spending time listening to his oldies. Looking at this video I can tell he is a fun guy who does not mind moving on stage as sings.

دياب مشهور - هلا عيني . Diab famous - Hala eyes


ذياب مشهور - ويل ويلي دلعي

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Event: The Rich Sounds of the Yemenite Musical Tradition Comes To America

 

Musical styles in Yemen are especially fluid in rhythm with a wide variety of metrical patterns derived from poetic language. Although the musical culture of Yemen is a domain that is scarcely known and documented, it has deep historic roots and is extremely rich in genres, repertoires and configurations, and modalities of performance and instruments. Yemenite music in general, and regardless of all the differences between layers of tradition and local and regional styles, has a particular attraction and charm, virtues which have been praised since ancient times.

Traditional music life in Yemenite towns knows no concerts or concert halls, with the most significant individual style of art music in Yemen based closely on poetry, including both classical Arabic poetry as well as that of Yemeni poets over the past centuries up until today.

Abdulrahman Al Akhfash's performance style embodies the Yemeni tradition that most often consists of a solo singer with 'oud accompaniment, and percussions highlighting rhythms in subtly expressive ways. Renowned across Yemen as a musician and vocalist, Abdulrahman Al Akhfash promises to deliver a euphoric performance at Alwan with Yemen's rich sounds, traditions, and poetry.

Al Akhfash will be accompanied by Ahmad Al Roudani, a percussionist and vocalist who studied at the Yemeni Music Institute in Sanaa. Al Roudani practiced his musicianship with masters of varied Yemeni vocal and instrumental traditions. In the mid 1970s, he became a member of the Yemeni National Orchestra. He now resides in New York and selectively showcases his talent in intimate gatherings that celebrate the diverse musical and poetic heritage of Yemen.


Saturdayat 8:00pm
3 days from now · 41°F / 27°F Mostly Cloudy
Show Map
Alwan for the Arts
16 Beaver St, 4th Fl, New York, New York 10004

Tickets: $20 General Admission; $15 for Students & Seniors
Available at the door or online* at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1342505
(*small online fee is applied)
Doors open at 7:30 pm
For more information, including artist bio:
http://www.alwanforthearts.org/event/1076

Yemen AbdRahman Al-Akhfash Ma7booby Sara7 MaGaly Music Video

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The Arab James Brown Has a New Song Ahmed Adaweyah

Ahmed Adaweyah stands tall among his peers, he remains the unrivalled voice of authenticity found in the streets of Egypt, and in her most rugged neighborhoods. He sounds like the last happy guy who wants you to feel good. His voice is about elevating the marginalized people and making them feel good about their community.

This is why his songs are at every wedding, even though he has aged...but the artist within him released a new single and is working on anew album that will include six tracks. Ever since his stunning comeback in 2009 and he has been in the spotlight. Adaweyah came a long way from his days in the 80s where he would appear in movies and sing. Now he is an agreed upon voice and an essential Egyptian classic.

Hear him sing this folks song that has a natural dance beat and it radiated happiness. A song about families coming together and sharing sweets and beverages and gifting flowers.... I loved this surprise song and it really made my apartment a happy place and shows that you can make good songs without so much of the noise.

اغنية احمد عدوية - 100 بوسة ونص | كاملة | جديد 2015

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The Egyptian House of Opera Concerts And The Army Propaganda

The Egyptian House of Opera went a head with a concert that they have planned for a long time--move along everyone nothing to see in Egypt. They night that had the most press was when Syrian Asala took on the audience by storm. She is a classically trained diva with a might voice, and she was joined part of the night by Ahmed Saad, an Egyptian singer who seems to really like her.

Together, they sang for Egypt, Syrian and the revolutions. Never mind that the regime in Egypt kicked out and tortured Syrian citizens feeling the war. They too performed Lebanese songs. I love the song for Damascus. Perhaps the greatest controversy was when Ahmed Saad kissed Asalah's hand, the rumor mill started to talk--silly really. another song I likes was a pop song by Asalah that makes folks happy.

This was a prime time event for most people who like music, but for the State run TV--they used the time to run their propaganda in the news reel below the performance. One title read, "America will change its position on Egypt--as if the US will endorse the military coup"


أصاله / أرجعلها - حفله دار الاوبرا


اصاله & احمد سعد / سهرة حب - حفل دار الاوبرا 2013


أصاله / ثوار - حفل دار الاوبرا 2013

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Calling All You Iraqi Music Lovers--Shatha Revisits Folklore

It pays for a young and a bright star to go back and revive folkloric songs that they find interesting. The reward is bigger if the artist seeks to make his own folklore well known. Shatha Hassoun comes from a land where history was born, a land of civilizations since the down of time. So it makes perfect sense for this pop diva to perform Iraqi songs.

Shatha, even performs them in the Gulf, an area that likes Iraqi music--but just the music. She has sang in many tongues, and styles, now she feels special as she does old songs from her people.  The songs are about that universal love, there's dance too, and some world-class musicians playing old and new world instruments.


عالهودلك - تراث عراقي - شذى حسون

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Video: Ehmej Festival Kicks Of w Festive Lebanese Zafe زفّة لبنانية في مهرجان اهمج

Zafe can be defined as a marching band surrounded by dancers and people carrying various foreign objects with sweets and rice showing the masses. What would be an equivalent for Zafe in the Western culture? I am speechless, but I know it's all about good times.

Zafe is a group of people who have a good reason to be joyous and happy like at wedding or at some other delightful occasion--say graduation or a promotion. Sometimes they have sarcastic zafe too. The video below you see the opening of Ehmej music festival with the band doing their thing as the key guests walk vivaciously.

Zafe is an Arab thing, it exists in Lebanon, Syrian, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt, other places have it too, take for example in the Gulf, they make it rain with cash. This is the time to play bouncy and bubbly music.

 استقبال وزير السياحة فادي عبود مع زفّة لبنانية في مهرجان اهمج

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Listen: To The The Oldest Music Notation In History! Brought Back To Life

Syrian composer & pianist Malek Jandali's album "Echoes from Ugarit" is based on the oldest music notation in history. Discovered on clay tablets in Ugarit, Syria dating back to 3400 B.C. Music by Composer & Pianist Malek Jandali with The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra.

Ugarit, Syria is the birthplace of alphabet and music notation. The interpretation of the music notation of Ugarit is a challenge and several "reconstructions" have been published. The evidence that both the 7-note diatonic scale as well as harmony existed 3400 years ago flies in the face of most musicologists' views that ancient harmony was virtually non-existent or even impossible. This has revolutionized the whole concept of the origin of Western music.

This Ugaritic hymns was arranged into a melancholic piano work preserving its rhythmic structure and building a musical bridge to the past. The song of this woman's marriage was filled with pain at not having children for her husband and her family. Apparently, the song is a lament, "the plaintive cry of an infertile woman" seeking the answer to her barrenness from the moon goddess.

Those musical notes were discovered in 1950-1952, and it wasn't until the seventies when they learned those notes are nothing but worship music. Two researchers were able to translate the notes with the help of notes found in Iraq that explained how to compose them. Syrian research Raul Fataly was credited to have done the scientific research. The music is supposed to have been written for Nikal, the wife of the moon God.

الموسيقار مالك جندلي - أصداء من أوغاريت: أقدم تدوين موسيقي في العالم اكتشف في أوغاريت - سوريا على لوحات مسمارية تعود إلى الألف الثاني قبل الميلاد

Echoes from Ugarit: The Oldest Music Notation In History!

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Something More Real, Something Very Arab #Jalasat

When Karaoke music eventually goes away, the only thing fans of Arabic music will be pleased with this something more authentic Arabic music--the real melodies are slow. You cannot have an appointment when you listen to those songs, you have to be relaxed and have to want to enjoy oneself. This is about enjoying music in a cozy and warm surrounding. No loud speakers, no fancy pants, just good music and people who want to kick back and take it in

Checkout this very ear-pleasing music made on the spot, no computers or what's not. Just the good old music instruments (lute anyone?) a talented person who is there to sing for hours, surrounded by those who appreciate the music and those who want to have a good time. See Morccan Donia Batma--from the Arab Idol success be the live of the part.

I am not talking about the distant past, but rather speaking of the Jalasat style concerts popular in the Gulf. Where dozens of fans sit and enjoy great music in a kickback space. It's an intimate space where mid-aged can enjoy themselves  dance with other dudes ant not worry about losing their stature--they are doing something traditional
 
#جلسات_وناسة_2013 - دنيا بطمة "جيتك لبابك حبيبي"

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Simon Shaheen Live in Concert at Old Town School of Folk Music @OudAndViolin

Event Category:	Music/Folk/World
Organization:	Old Town School of Folk Music
Venue:	Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall
Start Date:	Saturday, February 15, 2014
End Date:	Saturday, February 15, 2014
Start Time:	8:00 PM Address: 4544 N Lincoln Ave Map City: Chicago State: IL Audience Type: All Audiences Description: Simon Shaheen dazzles his listeners as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the ‘oud and violin. Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. His work incorporates and reflects a legacy of Arabic music, while it forges ahead to new frontiers, embracing many different styles in the process. Cost: $28/$30 Tickets Simon Shaheen - Oud - Blue Flame

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The Most Popular Iraqi Song In The History Of Mankind

Popular does not have to be average...this is what I learn from having listened and written about this one wonder of a folkloric song from Iraq----the song about palm trees. This is the most celebrated Iraqi song in their history ever. I mean every Arab has memorized this song and know to trace it to the land of the blues Iraq. It's an ancient song and its origins come from the long line of history.

This is a performance for this song by two artists form Iraqi who perform it as a duet. Like all things Iraqi the song has a long tradition and one of the many things that unite the people of Iraq. The first on the record to popularize the song is Iraqi legendary singer Nathem Al Ghazaly.

The story of the song goes something like this, in Baghdad the old homes had two stories and most of the time different families lived on each floor. At one time a single Iraqi man living downstairs spotted a beautiful lady on the window upstairs. He wanted to talk to her, but traditionally this is impossible, so he wrote this song. The song started to mean, upstairs we have a friend, then it developed into above the palm trees...when the locals joined in singing. The young man married that gorgeous lady if you wanted to know how the story went.  

فوك النخل فوك - ديو عراقي مهند محسن وشذى حسون



ناظم الغزالي -فوك النخل

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Listen: Omar Alabdallaht Comeback Song عمر العبداللات صفي النيه # ألبوم صفي النيه 2013

His name is Omar Alabdallat and he is a rock star in Jordan and beyond. He is now staging a comeback with a new album, which was produced by a telecommunication giant Zain. Both parties benefit financially, and the fans get to have a fun album.

His album is about having good intentions, relax, the Lord will provide, don't stress out. I like that, it's so easy to get stuck in one's head and worry too much. I like this lead song and it brings the best about this Jordanian artist who is indeed an Arab star.

This is a party song with so much energy, I know the boys in Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Jordan will dance with ease to this beat. One works hard and not worry, the lord will make it all work out according to the song and various holly books.

عمر العبداللات صفي النيه # ألبوم صفي النيه 2013

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The Most Bizarre Video By The Most Bizarre Singer / Egyptian Harlem Shake

First of hand he is naked as the video shows him, smoking I do not know what, surrounded by a bunch of dudes who sound high. Then he starts singing, "When I went to the wedding, I found that the folks in attendees where assholes", then he insults each and everyone's mother in a vulgar fashion. Even the family and the good people are assholes.

This is not so guy doing the Harlem Shake, but an Egyptian no class and little education Shaban Abdel Rahim (Sha'abolla) stars in a bizarre video where he is doing one of his low intelligence yet fun songs. Here's the kicker, Shaban made most of his money by singing at weddings and here we is insulting people that go to such events where he is paid to entertain.

All of sudden Shaban's wardrobe is not the one getting the headlines, the singer's leaked high song is. Is this something fun or a meltdown for this once popular (does not make him good) entertainer. I have no idea what to make of this video or the song itself.

While he is not dancing, he is out of it as he rants and raves inconsistent song, just like every song he has ever made.

شعبان عبد الرحيم سيجارة والناس الواقفين في البلد خولات

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This Folksy Jerusalem Lady Knows How To Party in #Palestine

She is no diva, but she sings Palestine from the heart. She is in a band, called Asayil, they sing Palestine and try to be protective of the heritage of the land that gave birth to them. She is Niveen Al Sawy, the daughter of Jerusalem. She is a fixture of Palestinians music, she can be often heard and seen perform around the cities of the West Bank. Similar Palestinian bands and dance troupe are now on Arabs Got Talent.

To help you understand Niveen, imagine being able to hang out with a younger version of your grandmother with all her stories about country and folks back in the days. This is the kind music Niveen embodies.

Now Niveen boasts about one title, the ambassador of the folksy Palestinian song. She has a degree in business, but when it comes to music, she has been in the city of Ramallah as a member of the Asayil group. She is a local celebrity and her name is even traveling outside the boundaries of Palestine. When people want something different, you can hear Niveen doing covers of popular Arabic classics.

The cool thing about Niveen, is that she is the salt of the earth, someone who you may have gone to school, someone you may have shopped next to. She is that, and then you learn that she is an entertainer who places Palestine in her heart. She is one of the new breed of Palestinians who strive to make a name for Palestine in whatever means they can--art seems to be a popular choice.

It's not easy growing up a Palestinian in Jerusalem under an occupation that wants nothing but failure to you. Niveen knows that and through music she is able to get back at the occupation. She has grown to become a proud Palestinian women who rocks that old dress look and reach out to other women in Palestine and beyond.       

نفين الصاوي وفرقة اصايل موال في مقر الرئاسة

حفل باب العامود للفنانة نيفين الصاوي

عيد ميلاد نيفين الصاوي عقبال 120 يا رب احلا مقدسية القدس

وين ع رام الله - نفين الصاوي

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Listen: Assi El Hallani - Ya Nom / عاصي الحلاني - يا نوم #NewSongs 2013

If there was ever a dude for this generations's Lebanese pop songs, Assi Hallani would be him. Assi has been popular for 25 years and his music has always tried to be fresh, relevant but most of all he tried to focus on many things without losing the Lebanese flavor that made him famous in the first place.

Ya Noom was on his most recent album, and it reminded many of his earlier work the blank dialect with Bedouin style. It has sizzle, but for me it has been harder for me to connect with Assi, I think he is full of himself which is fine had he been making good music lately, but he did make it years ago.

I know this to be true, younger folks have been finding him interesting, so he must be doing something right. A  raving review for his album can be found in Arabic here



Assi El Hallani - Ya Nom / عاصي الحلاني - يا نوم

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