Arabia: The Women's Voice

Amazon.com
It can't be said too often that music is one of the best bridges between the West and the Arab world. The 11 singers featured on Arabia: The Women's Voice are ambassadors for peace, and in the case of Oum Kalthoum, the reach even extends across Arab-Israeli battle lines. Her strong, pure tones conclude this collection, which begins with the present and then works chronologically backwards. We hear a plethora of singers backed by furious electro effects, but what will strike most people is the way their voices remain quintessentially Arabic. That dusky, lazy tone, which so often lingers microtonally below the note, seems impervious to extraneous influences. As we go back in time, the accompaniments become simpler and more engaging: massed strings in unison, plus an accordion, a lute, or a zither. Highlights are Nagat al Saghira, who was a child star of Egyptian cinema in the 1940s, and the great Lebanese singer Fairouz. Nobody has ever successfully replicated her deep, dark timbre, and it seems doubtful that anyone ever will. --Michael Church

Product Description
UK compilation featuring a supreme selection of Arabic women singers. 11 tracks, Najwa Karam 'Ariftu Albi Lamin', Nawal Al Zoughbi 'Maloom', Dania 'Ya Glebey', Howayda 'Nari', Madonna 'Habibi Tal Alyea', Latifa Wadeh 'Kerihtak', Julia Boutros 'Hejar El Mensiyen', Warda 'Balwans Bek', Nagat 'Ana Bashak El Bahr', Fairuz 'Sahana Al Leye' & Oum Kalthoum 'Matrawak Dammak'. Manteca.

Tracks:

Ariftu Albi Lamin - Najwa Karam
Maloom - Nawal Al Zouchbi
Ya Clebey - Dania
Nari - Howayda
Habibi Tal Alyea - Madonna
Keriktak - Latifa Wadeh
Hejar El Mensiyen - Julia Boutros
Batwans Beek - Warda
Ana Bashak El Bahr - Nagat
Sakana Al Leyel - Fairuz
Matrawak Dammak - Oum Kaltoum

Amazon.com

It can't be said too often that music is one of the best bridges between the West and the Arab world. The 11 singers featured on Arabia: The Women's Voice are ambassadors for peace, and in the case of Oum Kalthoum, the reach even extends across Arab-Israeli battle lines. Her strong, pure tones conclude this collection, which begins with the present and then works chronologically backwards. We hear a plethora of singers backed by furious electro effects, but what will strike most people is the way their voices remain quintessentially Arabic. That dusky, lazy tone, which so often lingers microtonally below the note, seems impervious to extraneous influences. As we go back in time, the accompaniments become simpler and more engaging: massed strings in unison, plus an accordion, a lute, or a zither. Highlights are Nagat al Saghira, who was a child star of Egyptian cinema in the 1940s, and the great Lebanese singer Fairouz. Nobody has ever successfully replicated her deep, dark timbre, and it seems doubtful that anyone ever will. --Michael Church

Album Description

UK compilation featuring a supreme selection of Arabic women singers. 11 tracks, Najwa Karam 'Ariftu Albi Lamin', Nawal Al Zoughbi 'Maloom', Dania 'Ya Glebey', Howayda 'Nari', Madonna 'Habibi Tal Alyea', Latifa Wadeh 'Kerihtak', Julia Boutros 'Hejar El Mensiyen', Warda 'Balwans Bek', Nagat 'Ana Bashak El Bahr', Fairuz 'Sahana Al Leye' & Oum Kalthoum 'Matrawak Dammak'. Manteca.

Customer Reviews:

a good find.......2005-10-26

This is one of my favourite CDs but i took off a star because there are a couple of songs i just couldn't sit through. most people seem to prefer the older tracks at the end, but my absolute fave is Maloom. even though i got it as a present it's worth paying full price for just half the songs on it.

A delightful compilation of styles.......2005-03-10

I discovered middle eastern music a few years ago through an interest in belly dance. This album is a delightful compilation of styles from modern to more classical style singers. The recording is also, in my opinion, a statement of the importance of the female voice in arabic music.

It starts with the modern and the internationally acclaimed Najwa Karam followed by the stylish voice of Nawal Al Zouchbi. Each recording is a little older including more classical styles with rich orchestrations. The oldest recording is from Oum Kaltoum but my favourite track is from Egypt's Nagat. Her voice has a unique quality; delicate, warm and sensual. I would buy 'Arabia' for this track alone.

Love it, love it, love it........2004-04-01

I adore this CD. There's something so RICH about the singer's voices. Most of the songs are a mix of pop from different eras, and more classical style pieces. If those aren't to your tastes, don't buy it. Otherwise, this is a well-varied sampler of fantastic pieces.

Interesting voices, Oversweet arrangements.......2003-08-29

This is Arabia from Egypt Eastwards, not including North Africa to the West.
No Morocco, Algeria etc.
Most of the tracks are modern Lebanon-Syrian cafe style with strings or synth strings.
Not my cup of tea. The voices are interesting but the arrangements are sweet like baklava.
I wanted more authentic ethnic, guess I should have read the liner notes, not just 1 review.
The last 2 tracks are pre 1970 and interesting, especially the Oum Kaltoum: sounds like a recording of a scratchy 78. The Fairuz track is from 1961 I think, and shows some fire, but I can't love the arrangement.
Maybe there is a complete, good quality CD of Oum Kaltoum out there which could replace this on my shelf.
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