Escalay: The Water Wheel

Amazon.com
One of the first world-music releases to reach Western ears (originally issued in 1968), this album rightfully established Hamza El Din as one of the leading instrumentalists on the lutelike oud, which he taught to guitarist Sandy Bull and others. The three tracks that comprise this disc, all lengthy improvisations, showcase El Din's remarkably fluid technique and his Nubian roots, whether on the traditional "Song with Tar" or "I Remember," which was originally performed by Egypt's greatest diva, Om Kalthoum. Perhaps the best example of El Din's instrumental meditations, however, is the title track, which is his own composition. Its lines ripple and sway, then stop to ponder and work around a phrase before moving on--a style unique at the time, but which influenced a generation of oud players that followed. A masterpiece. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

The Water Wheel
I Remember
Song With Tar

Amazon.com

One of the first world-music releases to reach Western ears (originally issued in 1968), this album rightfully established Hamza El Din as one of the leading instrumentalists on the lutelike oud, which he taught to guitarist Sandy Bull and others. The three tracks that comprise this disc, all lengthy improvisations, showcase El Din's remarkably fluid technique and his Nubian roots, whether on the traditional "Song with Tar" or "I Remember," which was originally performed by Egypt's greatest diva, Om Kalthoum. Perhaps the best example of El Din's instrumental meditations, however, is the title track, which is his own composition. Its lines ripple and sway, then stop to ponder and work around a phrase before moving on--a style unique at the time, but which influenced a generation of oud players that followed. A masterpiece. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

ESCALAY's oud features Nubian classical traditions........2004-09-02

WATER WHEEL describes the experiences of the boy who keeps the water wheel going: the fugue grows and the oud draws on Nubian classical tradition to back its rhythmic melody.
A specialty item for avid oud enthusiasts.

The Soul of Nubia.......2002-10-15

Hamza el Din is one of the world's greatest musicians. Those familar with music from Africa and the Middle East may have heard similar sounds, but nothing quite approaches the traditional music of Nubia. The Nubians, who played a vital role in Egyptian history from pre-dynastic times into the Christian era, have long inhabited the lands in southern Egypt/northern Sudan for as long as anyone can remember, and cling fiercely to their proud history. Hamza el-Din embodies all that is great and ejoyable about Nubian music. Its lively and exotic, and yet at the same time easily approached. One thing to note here, the oud (on which Hamza is self-taught btw) is not a traditional Nubian instrument. It is an Arab instrument, but Hamza plays it in a uniquely Nubian way.
If you appreciate the music of Africa and/or the Middle East, then check this CD out. Its well worth the buy, and is likely unlike anything you've ever heard.

Pure Beauty~!.......2002-07-17

I could listen to it all day. The artist is a natural and rare genius. I love you Hamza!

I just love it.......2001-08-10

"Escalay: The Water Wheel" was recorded over thirty years ago after Hamza El Din attracted the attention of musicians like Joan Baez and Mickey Hart. There is much more to the story than that. Hamza El Din was born in "Nubia" (Sudan) where the oud, or "Arab lute" is as foreign as it is in America. He decided to become a musician when he was a young man, studying engineering in Cairo. He is the first person to play traditional Nubian music on the oud. The results are stunning. I don't know anything about traditional Nubian music, nor do I know much about the oud, having only a few CDs of Arabic oud music in my collection; I just know I really like this recording. It has three songs: The title track "The Water Wheel" is a musical description of oxen turning a water wheel to irrigate the fields; the combination of Hamza El Din's playing and singing are enchanting. The second selection is a song by Egyptian composer Mohammed Abdul Wahab (or Mohamed Abdel Wahab, see other CDs of his music). The last selection is a tradtional Nubian song featuring the Tar, or Nubian drum. Also worth noting are the excellent notes by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea, author of several books about the Middle East; "Street in Marrakech" and "Guests of the Sheik", for example.

slight disappointment.......2001-03-09

Maybe it's because of the great buildup given it by other reviewers, including Amazon's, but Escalay was a little disappointing to me. The playing is not particularly difficult level, and there are other oud recording that show more virtuosity, like those of Munir Bachir. Hamza's vocalizations are more musically interesting elsewhere also. While the oud does not by design have the dynamic range of the European style classical guitar, what it is capable of is very well produced here. My 4-star rating is for "worthwhile" but not a "must-have."

Explorer: Nubia - Escalay the Water Wheel

Average customer rating:

Bad ...
Hard to put your finger on.
Nubia Revisted

Explorer: Nubia - Escalay the Water Wheel
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006C75W
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

The Water Wheel
Remind Me
Song With Tar

Amazon.com

When this set--part of the Nonesuch Explorer Series--was first released, Hamza El Din had already headlined at the Newport Folk Festival and Woodstock and released an album on the Vanguard label. But this was the one that put him on the map, bringing his oud (Arab lute,) tar (an ancient frame drum), and plaintive vocals to a much wider audience. Born in 1929, El Din has dedicated his life to the music of his ancestral homeland of Nubia, much of which now lies underwater in the shadow of the Aswan Dam. The title track, a 21-minute meditation based on the creaking, rhythmic sounds of a wooden water wheel, later became his signature work. Despite the unadorned simplicity of his forces, El Din evokes centuries of laboring agrarian workers. He later re-recorded the piece several times, including a version with the Kronos Quartet, but he has never quite duplicated the tidal ebb-and-flow of the original performance. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Bad ..........2003-04-08

in an attempt to expand my musical horizions, i have been buying cds in the Explorer Series. This is one of my favorites. It is very mellow and very powerful, it comes highly recommended.

Hard to put your finger on........2002-10-31

After hearing a review of the Explorer series on NPR, I decided to look at the CDs and this is the one I chose to order. I was not disappointed. It is a very mellow CD that is quite unlike anything else in my collection. Listening to it is almost like meditating...a religious experience.

Nubia Revisted.......2002-10-15

This recently re-released CD, formerly available under the title "Escalay: the Water Wheel" features three of Hamza el-Din's greatest performances. Drawing firmly upon his lively and exotic Nubian background, Hamza weaves it together with his natural gift for playing the oud (an istrument of Arab rather than Nubian origin). This CD is unlike anything you have ever heard before. Although there are many similarities with other Middle Eastern and African styles (due to shared history and cultures from Egypt to Ethiopia) it is still unique and beautiful. Check it out.

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