The Women of Istanbul [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
Once Mustafa Atatürk founded a secular state in Turkey in the 1920s, women's role in society was strengthened. Consequently, a flood of women entered music, notably as supper club singers. Nonetheless, it was a risky proposition, due to Islamic beliefs, for most women to perform in public. So the phonograph provided a way for women to contribute to Turkey's burgeoning, albeit overly-Westernized and sanitized (the flip side of Atatürk's influence) pop culture. These tunes, made between 1928-53, are traditional folk songs, religious classical, and light cabaret-style cantos. Whether backed by swelling, full groups or single instruments, these women could belt and balladize, in a wholly Turkish mixture of European and Middle Eastern styles. This is extremely rare, previously undocumented music; it's phenomenally moving, liberating stuff. --Mike McGonigal

Tracks:

Konyalim - Faide Yildiz
Dikmen Guzeli - Faide Yildiz
Sen Bu Yaylalari - Zehra Bilir
Helvaci - Zehra Bilir
Gorunce O Dilberi - Fahriye Hanim
Anam Olasin Omer - Fahriye Hanim
Saatlerce Basbasa - Safiye Ayla
Oglanin Davari - Safiye Ayla
Develer Katar Katar - Safiye Ayla
Sevda Zinciri - Suzan Yakar Rutkay
Eminem - Roza Eskenazi
Sigaramin Dumani - Muzeyyen Senar
Gel Gel - Saadet Hanim
Bakmiyor Cesmi Siyah - Hamiyet Yuceses
Segah Gazel - Muserref Hanim
Yetisir - Muserref Hanim
Karsidan Gel Goreyim - Muserref Hanim
Karsiyakah - Mahmur Handan Hanim
Mumkun Mu Unutmak Guzelim - Perihan Altundag Sozeri
Baglamamin Dugumu - Necmiye Ararat Hanim
Nafile Gulme - Kucuk Nezihe Uyar
Beni Unutma - Nedime
Son Hatira - Nezihe
Dus Ben Gibi Bir Aska - Sabite Tur Gulerman

Amazon.com

Once Mustafa Atatürk founded a secular state in Turkey in the 1920s, women's role in society was strengthened. Consequently, a flood of women entered music, notably as supper club singers. Nonetheless, it was a risky proposition, due to Islamic beliefs, for most women to perform in public. So the phonograph provided a way for women to contribute to Turkey's burgeoning, albeit overly-Westernized and sanitized (the flip side of Atatürk's influence) pop culture. These tunes, made between 1928-53, are traditional folk songs, religious classical, and light cabaret-style cantos. Whether backed by swelling, full groups or single instruments, these women could belt and balladize, in a wholly Turkish mixture of European and Middle Eastern styles. This is extremely rare, previously undocumented music; it's phenomenally moving, liberating stuff. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

TRULY AMAZING!! A RARE AND INSPIRING CD!.......2004-06-21

I was dumbfounded when I saw this CD for sale, and I am so glad that I bought it. Whether you're Turkish or not, this CD brings you back to a time and place that is truly magical. Also the 40 page booklet, with rare photos and biographical information on these incredible women is so insightful and inspiring. I wish there were more CD's like this one from this monumental era in Turkish music.

Nice selection, wonderful gift for the Turcophile........2003-02-11