Basic "T'abla" Or Arabic Drum With Josef Attieh

It's a 6000 years old musical instrument, and it happens to be very popular around the globe, we know it as the drum in Arabic, it's T'abla "الطبلة" It's the one instruments that most Arab know how to play, even older ladies. It's all about having a beat and knowing how to count.

I know at my older brother's wedding, some old lady did a fine jump making this T'abla dance. The one she used was made out of clay and a fine piece of leather. Now, you can but them made out of metal. Most religious folks are OK with this instruments and fine with using it.

One fresh dude of Lebanese pop and romance just found himself in the zone and instead of singing like he has always done, he played the drum where did a very fine job. Darbuka is the most popular melody made out on T'abla. Josef Attieh got into it and give us a very fine Darbuka.

Good many more kids now will be inspired to pick this very basic instrument to make music, I know the drum circle that meats every Sunday on the 16th St park in DC will be jealous.

 جوزيف عطية يعزف على الطبلة - حصرياً

LISTEN: Black Theama - Dakhalna Hemak | بلاك تيما - دخلنا حماك

The colorful folksy Egyptian band Black Theama wants to share the Ramadan celebration with the rest of the  Muslim world, by releasing a track exclusive for this month. They are even asking you to download it free of charge--find the link in the video description box (and always do not do anything illegal)

This is a sweet track from the guys who know how to pour their emotions and keep it in check when needed. This is simple song that celebrates the month and the creator. They also take a tour to those famous Islamic sites this month. They plea with the man upstairs to accept their worship.

I like the beat, it sounds very Black Theama, a watered down musical version of course. This is the standard of those religious songs, that cannot be loud. This track is inspired by the Sufi folklore. Thus the songs comes froma long standing tradition of using sober music as an instrument of worship. 

Black Theama - Dakhalna Hemak | بلاك تيما - دخلنا حماك

Abdel Halim Hafez, the Boy Who Made Arabic Music Accessible

At his time, he was a lightweight, but now we come to see him as a legend. Singer and actor Abdel Halim Hafez came in a time when the stage with loaded with people who make beautiful Arabic music accompanied by live orchestras and musicians who make true Arabic music unadulterated. There were also popular folksy artists who have made it big with the common man in the street and in small towns around the Arab world.

Yes, the young people were left un-catered to, they were many of them around who liked Arabic music, the music of Farid Al Atrach, Oum Kalthoum, and Abdelwahab, but none of those singers expressed the feelings the young had. The stores were not right, so to fill in that voice came a skinny guy Abdel Halim Hafez and gave the boys and girls of Arabia the songs they needed. That was his niche and his market, he was their break and butter and brought millions in revenue for everyone in in his business. 


Abdel Halim Hafez was a big hit, even the big household names watched him with amazement. He made cute movies and sang the most romantic songs riddled with passion. He has all the rights told, the charming personality, the warmth voice and the untamed emotions that wanted to get out. Or maybe he was really good at getting in character and performing for hours in stage.

Abdel Halim Hafez packed full concert halls with young and energized people who had little, but a truck load of untapped emotions. He toured all over the Arab world and collaborated with all the big names of his time--he opened to Oum Kalthoum and worked with Farid Al Attrach too. He sang for Nizar Qabbani and had Baligh Hamdi write him music. The list goes on. His movies made so many lead female stars who at their prime were the it girl.

Then all of a sudden he died...just like that. Keep on mind, songs of Abdel Halim Hafez are not your average songs, they are tales fashioned like a song. 

Here's one of his little know songs that offered a world class music that tells a story even when the singer is standing in amusement waiting for his cue.

عبد الحليم حافظ نبتدي منين الحكاية كاملة

My Dad Used To Jam To Syrian Fahad Blan

When it comes to Arabic Tarab, Syria does not kid around! Syria is the place where legends of this style of music has been made for centuries. Look no further than on of those underrated Syrian legends Fahad Blan. One of Fahad's most famous hits was a song where he is explaining his condition to his loved one.

Fahd passed away in 1997 not before he has made a huge name from hims and his family that comes from a little Syrian town where they used to do menial jobs. Fahad started his career doing odd jobs one of which a bus operator assistant. The bus used to travel to Damascus a lot where he would take part of a competition doing a cover of Syrian icon Farid Al Atrach.... needless to say he made a good impression.

The atis would join the Syrian radio and sing there, then he has his won songs and the rest is history. Fahad had many marriages including Lebanese diva Sabah. Fahabd used to open and present other legends of his time. He was considered one of the top ten artists in the Arab world in his time.


فهد بلان - واشرح لها

Najah Salem, One More Underrated Lebanese Diva

 Najah called Egypt a home and never forgotten that Egypt opened its arms to this lady when she needed a place to live away form the wars. Najah Salam is a Lebanese singer and actress. Born in Beirut on March 13 1931, the daughter of a prominent poet and lutenist, known throughout the Arab world. Like many of her peers Najah started singing in school choirs until 1948, when her father embarked in Cairo to present her to the likes of Oum Kalthoum, Farid Al Atrash, Asmahan.

Her first works came in 1949, as she performed in Ramallah, Baghdad, and Damascus etc. She returned in 1950 to Lebanon to record on Lebanese television some new songs which are Ala Masrahika Ya Dunia, and to also play in several films such as Ala kifek, Ibnu Duat, Alchab Al Asmar, Al Dunia LamaTadhak. She is a Lebanese singer who has masted various styles of singing including the Lebanese folklore songs. .
But Najah's rise to fame came to light in 1956 when her love of pan-Arabism brought her many fans and she traveled to places like Tunisia and Algeria. In 1956 she has also appeared in Cannes where she brought her film to the festival goers.

It wasn't until between 1970 and 1974, when Najah visited each single Arab country and performed there. Her Lebanese songs are far more famous than the ones she did, even though most of her other songs were inspired by Oum Kalthoum. One of the many titled Najah has earned is the one closest to her heart-- Ashikat Masr, the one who swooned by Egypt.

She left Lebanon for years during the war years, and only returned toward the end of her career where she did her country proud and helped enrich the music scene. Najah Salem's musical adventures stand as a testament to our life of live and love of all things gorgeous.
  بالسلامة يا حبيبي بالسلامة


نجاح سلام _ ميل يا غزيل najah salam - mayel ya ghzayel

Nabil Shuail, The Gulf's Finest One Hit Wonder

speaking of enchanting poetry, tune in to Golf Nightingale or as yo know him Nabil Shuail, the chunky singer form Kuwait. Nabil was the first face of Gulf music that made it big in the Arab mainstream. He was carried to every Arab home with the satellite wave that stroke in the 90s. He has one of the finest sense of humors in the biz and it shows in his interviews and various appearances.

His bit hit was Ma Ar'wak "How Wonderful You Are", a light pop song that plays like a poem whee the singer is telling his other half how much in love he is with such a wonderful soul. The song came in the late 90s and it was the romantic song of its time, Arabs were blown away with this new star. To his credit, he has had dozens of other songs prior to that one--I know this because I grew up in the Gulf with his music.

Nabil enjoyed a great deal of fame, but none of his songs has manged to outgrow that one hit of his. Nabil has not been very active--his last album was in 2009. One thing I like about Nabil is his music videos, he does not fall in love, he hires other models to tell a love story where Nabil only provides the audio track of his magical and poetic words.

Enjoy Nabil's most famous song to date

نبيل شعيل ما اروعك اغاني نبيل شعيل -الكليب الأصلي

Israelis Boycott Musicians Too! Wagner Is A Case

Richard Wagner composed some of the finest and most refined music there is to find.  His work is notable for their complex texture, vivid harmonies. His music pulled something so well, the ability to create musical themes associated with individual characters, places, ideas or plot elements.


Yet this Legendary (and controversial) German composer loved himself so much. He let the world knows it too. It would be hard to find some other composer who has displayed a greater egotism and sureness of his own genius than Richard Wagner! "I'm not like other people. 1 have finer nerves - I must have beauty and brilliance and light. The world owes me what 1 need. I can't live on a miserable organist's post, like your master Bach!" Trust me you would too if you were writing both the music and libretto for every one of your stage works like Wagner.

But egotism is not the reason why some people in Israel and many Jews resent the guy and reject his music.

To be clear, Wagner was not a Nazi and he has died long before Nazi take power in Germany, yet his music still unwelcome in Israel. We have called on artists to boycott Israel concerts before, but the Israelis seem to always response, art should not be boycotted. It's true music builds bridges between people, but why do Israelis do not welcome the music of the iconic and genius composer like Wagner? I was reading this article today "What’s Behind Israel’s Unofficial Ban on Wagner?"

Jonathan Livny was so eager to have the music of the late German composer Richard Wagner played in Israel, he dipped into his own pocket to make it happen. A few months ago, he hired 100 of the country’s best musicians, rented a hall at Tel Aviv University, and advertised a concert with ads in the newspaper. Within a week, he says, 600 tickets were sold. Livny is a 64-year-old classical-music buff whose father raised him on the Wagner records he fled Germany with in 1935. He describes the 19th-century musician as one of the most important composers in history. But Wagner was also a raging anti-Semite, and though he died long before the rise of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler made him an icon of the Third Reich, the regime that killed 6 million Jews. Days before the concert was to take place earlier this month, Tel Aviv University informed Livny he could no longer use the venue. A Tel Aviv hotel agreed to host the event instead but backed out as well.

Here's the truth, Richard Wagner lived decades before the birth of Nazism, yet his influence on the National Socialist movement and its its leader was gigantic. Wagner did not seem to like Jewish music and spoke ill about many of the composers. The Jewish composer, according to Wagner, makes a confused heap of the forms and styles of all ages and masters. I can understand the boycott for Wagner and his music in Israel, it remains a sensitive subject in this tiny nation. On the other hand will Israelis now understand the plight of Palestinians who call for a cultural boycott.

Tony Qattan 2012 Song About Stupid Old Arabs

The cool thing, if a group or a delegation of old Arab men comes to any given home, and refuse to drink the coffee served until their request has been honored. Most if not all people accept such offer because of the hospitality tradition rooted in the desert culture. So when a family wants to ask the hand of a woman in marriage they send the old and respectable men in the family to do the asking.

This is cool, but what if the woman says no? Will those old men go back and eat their word? so here's a scenario....they host family says, sure whatever you ask we will give you. These guests ask for the girl's hand in marriage. She might say no! While most will honor her wish, and go back on their word--this is something Islam is keen on by the way. But then the families might want to get the girl to change her mind.

Lecture aside, here's a song about the very same story, but Jordanian Palestinian singer Tony Qattan where he says "your coffee will be drunk!" And the girl will be your girl now, so congratulation. This is a happy song and shows that the singer is well raised and knows the tradition well. My thing is this, old men do not always know the right things....they are only assumed to have such knowledge.

As for this song I like the beat and the energy is brings. And yes the cool old school instruments incorporated.
 جديد طوني قطان - قهوتكو مشروبة 2012

Remember Helmy Abdelbaky? You Weren't On Facebook Then!

We have a guy from the 90s who is coming back to entertain us at those difficult times. He did have about three great songs about heartbreaks and breakups. He does have that really heart broken voice which allowed him to do what some might call lame songs.

Say what you say, you have a new dose for Helmy Abdelbaky, the tall guy who seems to always find the wrong girl to love. In his music video he does the same story about a hundred other Arabic music video have already done. He is a photographer whose work builds up a star and then when she makes it, she leaves him to his sorrow in a dark room.

And then things change and she wants him back....he walks away....what a gentleman. But wait, there's a twist, he did give his eyes to save her eyesight. She needed to see after the surgery...and he gave his eyes. But then she loves another guy...until she sees him and learns the tale. I do like the end that might be cheesy, but it's original.

Helmy Abdelbaky - Asa'ab Tariq / حلمي عبدالباقي - أصعب طريق

Ehab Tawfik's Song That Made Arabia Dance!!

Ask any Arabs girl older than 24 years of age, she will tell you she has danced to this song! Man the good old days when Ihab was making good dance filled music, we loved him then. He was a household name, and he had a cool factor even though he was not that even good looking. His music made you good looking by making you dance.

Here's another thing about him, Ehab was a lonely child. His first single came in 1989, and first album came in 1990. Top point of his career was in 2002 when he performed in front of 50 thousand concert goers to raise money for Iraq during the American invasion. Other random facts  about him is collaboration with the band outlandish on a track.

In 2007 he switched to more religious songs, and he earned few fans doing this kind of songs, then he started doing more of these songs and less of the pop dance songs. Ehab did have many fans in the 90s both mena dn women. Women liked his dance songs, and so did the guys. The guys loved his hearbreaking songs about being passed over by the one girl he has always loved. Thanks to his warm voice, good lyrcis and his collaboration with hottest composers in town.

اللي مدوبني

Exclusive: To The Most Coveted Album, Magida El Roumi Ghazal 2012

This time around Magida is a poet--she wrote the lyrics for most of her song on the album album, The ones she did not compose, she took from Nizar Qabbani who can do little wrong. then she hired the best and most talented composers--who only work for themselves. Lastly she got the music doctor of Lebanon to oversee the entire album, what she got is a gem. The album is titled Ghazal, teasing or flirting.

You may also know her as Majida el Roumy, but we all know her as a musical genius who always challenges others who making them do better. The album makes you a lot more classier and a lot more refined by just owning it....Her dad who was an accomplished musician would have been proud.

The album has made it to Egypt now and to the rest of the Arab world so, go stand in line and get your copy. This album will be around for some time and many of us will be talking about it. I love the liver orchestra and accompanying this legendary Lebanese yet proud Arab diva.

With this album Majida tell those half baked talents that they have a long way to go and that there's room for good music. download the album on iTunes if you cannot secure a hard copy

we will update the review in time

01 W Btetghayar El-Da'aye'
02 Wa'adtouka
03 Bass Ellak Habibi
04 Metghayar W Mhayarni
05 El-Alam Elna
06 Ablani Hayk
07 Al-Tayrou Taraban Yougharidou
08 Salawna
09 La Ma T'illi Habbayna
10 Ala Albi Malak
11 La Ma Rah Ez'al A'chi
12 Law Ta'ref
13 Bladi Ana
14. Nashid El-Shohada
ماجدة الرومي وعدتك Majida El Roumi 2012


ماجدة الرومي تتغير الدقايق Majida El Roumi 2012

Egypt Lost In 1967, This Song Offered Hope

Israel attacked Egypt in 1967 and sneakingly destroyed that country's ability to fight back. Israel occupied The Sinai Desert, Gaza, The West Bank, East Jerusalem and The Golan Heights. Not too many movies in Egypt dealt with the loss, but the entire country and along with it the rest of the Arab nations were humiliated by this defeat.

But Egypt went back to work and did what they wanted to do in 1973. However, a movie that was produced in 1972 dealt with the 1967 loss, and evoked so many memories of unity and call to arms. You see a legendary actor Mahmoud Yaseen standing in for Egypt and talking about the war. The song is titled, long lives your smile Egypt.

The movies tells the story of an Army unit that held their ground and refused to retreat even though the Egyptian army has bailed out on them. It's a movies about real heroes. The movie's title is a "Song on the Passage/Path" You see an Egyptian army officer deliver one line that always goes on my mind which is, "Are We Going to defeat Them With a Song? "

 أغنية على الممر - تعيشي يا ضحكة مصر

How Did Arabic Music Sounded Like In The 1920s?

Um Kalthoum recorded many songs in the 20s and early 30s. She was not a big name back then, but she was wrothy of being recorded. Frankly, we do not have many recordings Arabic music in that era. But from what we have, we can tell that the music was a little bit different.

The music wasn't the show, it was playing back up to the singers voice, it sounds shy and at times boring. There was no big name composers in that era. The music they had all sounds too similar because they used molds, these molds were the orthodox approach, you could not do something that would stray from that school of music.
 
The one guy who changed all that was Egyptian composer Mohammed Qasabji, he had it in him to try different notes and even borrow from Classical European music at the time. Listen to this song where Qasabji putt he music. He was doing the music of the 20s , then. Later in his career he would try doing something different. Other early one composers was El Sheikh Abu El Ola, he composed many songs for Um Kalthoum early on her career.
  
ام كلثوم ... سكت والدمع تكلم


أم كلثوم - قل للبخيلة - 1928

ان كنت اسامح - ام كلثوم The Song That Made Oum Kalthoum's Famous

Umm Kulthum is a star that compares to no one. She has her own category that where she rules as the sole royal. Her voice and style are only her own. But what made her the legend she has become is the love and dedication of her fans to her music. She started singing since she was a little girl and in the early and late twenties she lunched her won career on radio and concert halls around Egypt.

She kept singing for close to 50 years. Recently, the house of opera in Egypt opened up a room that has not been opened for a long time, and there they found a national treasure. 80 to a 100 records of some of the finest songs by Oum Kalthoum. Those songs came out early on her career, and now they have the records of such songs. Among the best discoveries is an old recording of her "ان كنت اسامح" If I am to forgive...you can hear the shaky recording and the voice of that era that we long to.

 It was recorded in 1928 and established a new star that will go on and conquer the hearts of a nation. Other records were also found in that room for other artists dating back to 1932. Here's the song that told them in 1928 Oum Kalthoum is really something like no other.
 ان كنت اسامح - ام كلثوم

"Men Rights" By Nicolas El Osta 2012 / حقوق الرجال - نقولا الاسطا 2012

Ladies are up an arms against Lebanese singer Nicola El Osta who is a fixture of Lebanese parties in the United States. They are upset with his new song called "Men Rights"! Let's get the story straight, Nicola has played Jesus once before on stage in 2010 so he has to be Mr. nice guy.

Nicola is on hot water not for anything religious, but rather something social. He is complaining that women have too much rights now, and he sees that men need an association to defend their rights. In his song he calls ladies the sweet ones calm down please!" I am sure feminists won't be too happy. Some went as far as calling the song a feminist parody.

Nicola argues that women now dominate TV screens, and all sorts of jobs and that yet to date women have to be satisfied. It's a Lebanese beat made for Debka dance. To his credit, Nicola calls women the man's other half and shies away from being chauvinistic like these songs can often become. It's what it's, so you either love or or hate it. I know the song does not interest me too much.

H2ou2 El Rejjal - Nicolas El Osta 2012 / حقوق الرجال - نقولا الاسطا 2012

72ou2 El Rejjal 2012 - A Feminist Parody

The Only Sabah Fakhri, The Legend From Syria

Sabah Fakhri's music is where you separate the boys from the men and girls from the women. That means you are not born liking the kind of music he sings, you acquire the taste for it. This heavy eastern melodies that blends the best of Spain, Damascus and Iraq music. His kind of music that older people have the taste for. He is for sure the radio voice.

Syrian legend Sabah Fakhri is an icon of heavy tarab music where you sit in one place for hours just listening, and taking in all those lyrics he spits out. The son of Aleppo who has enjoyed 50 years of fame and popularity. Simply put, there are no other singers who can match his vocal strength and the level of harmony of music.

You listen to Sabah if you want authentic unadulterated Arabic music. He has toured the world and the world has loved him back. He has been credited for singing the longest concert ever on the record. Sabah did something no other Arab star has done--he kept away from Cairo. His fame is all based on his work from Home. One of his earliest performances was in 1948 at the Presidential Palace in Damascus. Think about the fat lady at the opera....he is our fat lady and then some.

Sabah has been given every award on the books, his music often credits God, Wine, and other supernatural acts. He does not talk to the press, nor does he try to promote himself, his work is his best agent.  He sings for beauty as he seems to be on quest. Enjoy the best songs of his as suggest by one YouTube user.

أجمل ما غنى الفنان صباح فخري

Egyptian Retired Diva Shadya Is In Critical Condition

The young woman who made millions of fans in the Arab world, the spoiled golden girl of Arabic cinema and music who has retired years ago is not in a Cairo hospital where her condition has been described as critical. Shadya has earned few fans last year even though she has not sang in more than a decade.

That's due to playing over and over her all too famous song in her love to Egypt and its youth. A song about hope in the future in the young men and women of Egypt. Shadya retired after her last film La Tas'alni Man Ana (Don't Ask Me Who I Am) The song remains the most sincere song about Egypt in history.

Shadya has had trouble with her lungs and was transported to El Safa hospital where doctors have banned any one from visiting her. I pray from the bottom of my heart that she recovers and return to normal...she is a true national treasure.

Update: The Head of the Actors union has confirmed Shadya is doing well and he has visited with her, the doctors have said she will leave the hospital withing two days.

Ya Habibti Ya Masr - Shadya شاديه - يا حبيبتى يا مصر

Safaa Abou El Seoud Comes Out Of The Dark

There was once an Egyptian actress in the 80s that made movies and showed a lot of skin in addition to her acting and singing talent. She was the face that every casting director wanted in his movies, because she used to bring people to cinema houses. Then something happened in the late 90s and she married a wealthy Saudi sheikh. That sheikh was the man behind the pioneering satellite TV ART.

That actress is Egyptian Safaa Abou El Seoud who had her own talk show on the network. But then things started to get ugly as rumors have surfaced her jealous husband bought all the original fims she made from the state TV in Egypt and then he has these movies trashed. Many in Egypt were enraged about that one and I am not sure if it was true, but it's not a far fetched scenario.

Forward to 2012, there's a new Egypt and Safa wanted to be part of it, she just released a song without appearing in the music video. Her song is about the Egyptian youth boys and girls and what they can do for their motherland. The song made me think how much we really miss the singing of Safaa, she had this party voice that can make you really happy. After all she still have the best Eid song that we play every Eid Holiday. This is a proud song about the people of Egypt and the new democracy.      
 انشودة الشاب للفنانة صفاء ابو السعود VOB

BREAKING NEWS: Algerian Diva Warda Dead In Egypt

The well know Algerian legendary singer Warda (Warda Al Jazairia) has just passed away in a Cairo hospital as a result of a heart attack. She was at home when that happened, then she was transported to a nearby hospital. She is 72 years old.  Born on the 17th of June 1940. She was born in France for an Algerian father and a Lebanese mother. Her first songs were cover of other Arabic legends such as Asmahan and Oum Kalthom.

Later Warda would come to Cairo at a young age to be discovered. Her fame has exploded in movies and songs. Warda's latest album came late last year and manged to offer fresh material and something of classical hits. She married to famed Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi. Her stage birth was in 1979 when she performed Awqaty bit'hlau, a said Makawy song which Oum Kalthom had wanted to perform but passed away in 1975 before she could.

In the past few months, many singers have called on her to quit. But she would not. She had something to give and we are happy to have her, may her soul finds peace. Her body will be transported to Algeria for funeral arrangement. A special airline will be dispatched by the government of Algeria to bring the body home.

The last music video of hers--two months old reveals Warda being bothered by such critics and luckily she had one other singer there to celebrate her and honor her memory. The song speaks of Warda not finding herself in this time.

 Zaman Maho Zamany - Warda ft.
Abady زمن ماهو زمانى - ورده وعبادى

The Godfather of Arabic Self-Pity Romance

When it comes to falling in love, many find is easy. But when it comes to surviving a damaged relationship, few can say it was easy. For those folks, there has always been an Arab voice who has been around for the past 40 years, rocking the romance worlds with his self pity songs. His name is Hani Shaker.

His formula is easy. I loved you, I was crazy about you, then something bad happened and now I no longer have you! This mantra that stops many world's and undermines people trying to live their life to the fullest. Self-pity is very unattractive, but this guys actually makes you look forward to the dark hours.

Do a quick YouTube search, and you will see the many user generated songs slideshow with this man's songs. While it's true that most people in Arabia listen to Hani, few would admit it....he has become a guilty pleasure. Sure some of his songs can be cheesy at times, which is ideal for self-pity, only those who are feeling it, can understand it and them alone.

I have put three clips for some of his saddest songs...

Hani Shaker Garhi Ana هاني شاكر - جرحي انا


هانى شاكر - غلطة ندمان عليها - على منتديات ذهبيات


يا رتني - هاني شاكر - ya retni - hani chaker