Rest In Pease Salah Abdel Ghafour, Iraqi Legendary Singer And Intellectual

He sang in Arabic and Kurdish, this way he is very Iraqi. Not too many Iraqi singers have this kind of appeal, not only does both Arabic and Kurd love this talented and popular iconic singer, they have come to enjoy his singing in any language without regard to politics. His last album was recorded three years ago, and he has a number of unreleased tracks he has been working on. On his final days he spoke about the toxic mode in Arabia and the many tragedies that make it very hard to release new music.

Salah Abdel Ghafour is the folkloric Iraqi voice that gave Iraq one of its most hit songs that have come to define Iraqi music for decades, "Shlonak" This song of his is one of half a dozen songs the entire Iraqi nation knows like they know the back of their hands. He passed away in a tragic car accident in the Kurdish city of Erbil. One thing you need about him, even the Americans and other nationals have come to appreciate his music and his songs. Shlonak was later released in Turkey by a pop-folk singer ibrahim tatlises.

He has released 30 albums, he excelled in doing Iraqi styled songs as well as Folkloric dance songs. His first singing gig was when he was eight years old on the Iraqi TV and radio corporation he chose to perform songs of the mega Iraqi legend Nithem Al Ghazaly in 1961 "Rokin El Howa" Amateur Corner.

In 1973 he would join the national theater group and make his own path. In 1977 he want back to school to study music and composition where he learned to play the violin. He stayed in the music institute for six years perfecting his talent. He would become on of Iraq's finest voices for generations and would inspire droves of young Iraqis to make better music. He was the go to guy of Iraqi Maqam music 

To me, he was one of those artists who refused to objectify women and he spoke about it for a long time--he was very critical of sexualized music videos by many half baked Iraqi talents (for more about his opinions read here). He also released many sport songs for the national teams, and has sang for Palestine. A singer, an intellectual and patriot passes away in an accident, what's not an accident is his talent.


Shlonak - Salah Abdel Ghafour


صلاح عبد الغفور حلوة يالبغدادية.

Watch: This Random Egyptian Song أبو جريشة - اللي أنت شايفة

No idea who this guy is, but someone gave him a shot at making a music video that was supposed to be funny. Maybe it's meant for people with a different taste, but I do not get it. I understand it's meant to be a treat for people who like a little laughter at the expense of the common man of Egypt.

His name is Abu Greisha and he is one of the people. He wears sporty clothes, rides a bike and looks like one of those average people. He has half a dozen of kids whom are glued to him. The odd facotr is the appearance of good ball Sha'abi singer Sha'ban Abdel Rahim on the clip. Spot them as the leader of the neighborhood watch group.

The song is about making all the wrong decisions  he tells the subject of the song to go ahead and take another wrong call. Abo Greish is not star, but his voice is not as bad as some of those voices I have heard in the psst.

Abo Greisha - Elly Enta Shayfo / أبو جريشة - اللي أنت شايفة

Diab Mashour And His Prison Inmate Song

The sixties and seventies were very kind to one folksy Syrian singer, Diab Mashour who has appeared on a Syrian play/TV show playing the role of the prison's singer. He is connected to Iraq by the river where they share common cultural antidotes. He is an image known for his nice and sweet voice recounting stories from the village. Diab plays the flute, the oud, and the violin 

He visited Damascus and played his song to then comedian Duraid Laham who loved his song so very much and asked him to appear on his show. He recorded his song sin Beirut and Jordan and remain classics to this day. Simple songs, the kinds your grandmother would sing you as she puts you to sleep

Diab traveled to the States to do concerts for Arabs there, he has even made it all the way to the Philippians. He composes his songs and performs them, and refuses to represent his older songs to fit with today's tastes.

ذياب مشهور ـ يابو ردين يا بوردانه

Iraqi Folklore (فولكلور عراقي ) Gets Serious With Shatha Hassoun

We always seek advise from older people, thus making assumptions that they must know better. It makes us feel better when recount our trouble to someone who at least looks wiser. Many folklore songs do just that, a singer tells what's troubling him to a mother, an uncle, a grandpa, but almost never a father notice.

Checkout Shatha Hassoun a young women from Iraq/Morocco performs an old Iraqi song in one of his concerts. Her vocals are the only thing that matter, but also her stage presence is the one most people would not miss. She sounds very mature as this sobering song requires a certain level of zen and calm to do it justice.

I love those intimate concert formats, but the number of the backup singers tells me this is a serious performance. I love the live orchestra with men wearing their traditional dresses. There' no playback and lip syncing here.
Shatha Hassoun فولكلور عراقي - شذى حسون - ياعمه

The Amazing Native Indian Music

Not sure what region this music comes form, but I have known it to be from the South American nation of Peru. It's very common to hear them live in big cities selling their records while putting on a great show for the bystanders. But something tell me, this guy on the video is from North American Indians, not the southern nations.

The dresses and the face paint patterns tell me, they are from around the States or Canada, before it was the States as we know it. Regardless of the place, this kind of music has managed to captivate minds and hearts around the world. These guys do wonders with the flute, a very basic music instrument that makes me think of the mountains, waterfalls and eagles. .
 موسيقى خياليه ( هنود الحمر) Indian Music

It Took Charming Salah Al Zadjali To Warm Up Khaliji Music

He came from Oman and stood to be the limelight recently for his pop style songs on Arabic music TV channels. This guy had the gulf dancing their tales off to his hip songs all summer long. He is now back to the past doing folklore songs that will beef his credit with the music appreciators among the old men.

Salah has not professionally training, but this has never stopped great people from making timeless music. His passion for music that led him to pursue this route. He points out that it was his father who encouraged him and as Salah defines himself ’a self-taught’ individual, it was also a combination of his skills and him meeting the right people at the right time that gave him his lucky break. The best musicians are self-taught, you cannot teach creativity and the land of Oman can be inspirational.

Salah believes that on of the factors that catapulted him into the media’s glare was the fact that Omani musicians are under represented in the Gulf music industry, and him being one gave him an edge. He sees the lack of Omani music is the fault of the absence of good production companies. And yes, local talents are not given an opportunity to shine.

Even though there are singers emerging from Oman but there are not enough institutions to train potential musicians. It seems the ruler of the land offers his support  ’His Majesty Sultan Qaboos does appreciate music and he encourages classical music and we have two professional orchestras. The Royal Symphony and the Oriental recently formed a music society and soon we will have a grand opera house which shall have a huge department for music development.

While Salah is too busy making fun tracks for the larger Gulf market, his heart remains at home with his people.

 ‫صلاح الزدجالي - تباعدت يا صولي من جلسات صوت الخليج .mp4


‫الا باس - صلاح الزدجالي من جلسات صوت الخليج‬

Country Music Super Star #Egypt Hegazy Met'al Delivers Much Need Wisdom

Country music is about so many things but in its essence its about celebrating home, friends, the food and the landscape of the motherland. That means you do not have to try too hard to impress folks, you need not to change your speech patterns, you only need to speak common words like you would talk to your grandfather. If you come across as an uneducated, then be it.

One of the voices of this art form is Hegazy Met'al, the guy who has the word country spelled all over his body, he wears country and rides horses. And his music is all about simplicity. And now he has a reconciliation song out there. About being the bigger man and asking for starting over. Not sure if the time is about Egypt's political difference of the moment, but it feels like more of those decision makers need to borrow Hegazy Met'al's tone and approach to conflict resolution.

I love the simplistic music, the artist has his fans, they are the ones who have built Egypt and did not care to stick around, instead they went home once the job was done. And those well-dressed and over-educated bunch came in and took credit for it.

Hegazy Met'al - Mategy Ya Sa7by / حجازي متقال - ماتيجى ياصاحبى نتصالح


اغنية حجازى متقال متيجي يا صحبى نتصالح من شعبى استايل

Download: Amina 2013 Album Nefsy Neb'ed / ألبوم أمينة - نفسى نبعد

Amina is a star among many, she is the nice home girl that even the biggest stars adore her and her sassy ways. She does Egypt solid each time she sings live. Four months ago she had given herself an image makeover, where she was no longer that every girl look. I am going to come out and say it, she was a lot sexier and had her makeup done in a perfect way.

Then all of sudden she has captured a whole new audience. The kind of people who put image before voice--they are many. Now that she has gotten married and had featured one of the biggest New Year concerts in Egypt, she is glad to release her latest album. Her first in about three years since her mainstream debut.  

There are 14 tracks, most of them are 100 percent Egyptian style. Amina is unafraid to let her spunky and chick side appear. She makes great dance songs where she actually puts the guy in his place. Most of her songs are happy, the kind you play at weddings and parties. But she has also some romantic and dramatic songs--some of which are head hitting. We have all been impressed by track number 14 "Ma Beikharagnesh"

I love the style of 90 percent of this album, the rest is not for me, this is a great endorsement for a popular songstress who is actually talented. The album has good and heartwarming songs, funny and catchy ones, and folksy types. Somehow she has manged to put together an album for street festivals, weddings and those lonely souls.  

1. Sabbetto 
2. Ya Marakby 
3. El Leila 
4. Nefsy Neb'ed
5. Bahebo Ya Baba
6. Tele'lak Hess 
7. Ew'a T'oul Lehad 
8. Mesh Btaa' Gawaz 
9. Matdakhalhomsh Bena 
10. Ou'bal Andoko 
11. Kefaya Aleik Keda 
12. Efrah 
13. Ashok Feik 
14. Ma Beikharagnesh

Amina Album Promo - Nefsy Neb'ed / برومو ألبوم أمينة - نفسى نبعد

Amina Album Promo - Nefsy Neb'ed / برومو ألبوم أمينة - نفسى نبعد

Mostafa Shawki Egypt's Newest Old Man / Young Man Singer

Mostafa Shawki is an underrated Egyptian contemporary composer/singer. He has singed up with Hamid El Shari to include one of his folksy seaside songs in one of the hits album. The music for his track is nothing new, part of the folklore that has been around for ages. But Mostafa's voice is a treat. Had I not known better, I would think this is some old guy's song who has lived in the 1960s.

Mostafa had a song before on Rahab Radio--owned by Hamid El Shari as well. The single talked about national unity and its importance at this moment. I know the music scene is crowded, but not with this style. This is a throwback song to an era where people think their dreams have been buried.


مصطفى شوقي - ليل يابو الليالي

Syrian Iconic "Maqamat" Singer Edib Daykh

Some people in the Arab world--mostly older people like a singing style that is called "Maqamat" an antiquate singing form from Andalusia, Damascus when those two countries were under one leadership centuries ago. The beauty of this singing form is that is does not necessitate music, they words are the music, the story and the show. There are many people who try to get into this genre, but one man has his own place in this school.

One of those Syrian voices that has kept this traditional singing alive is Edib Al Daykh, a legend among singers known for a solid voice, and a unique delivery methods for those poetic passionate lyrics he often sings. Aside form his singing, he has come to be a walking encyclopedia for this art from . He has traveled the world performing his unique style of singing, the Syrians living away form Syria cheer him in places like Australian and Venezuela.

اديب الدايخ - ما شبه الوجنات بالتفاح إلا جهول.

Morocco's Most Famous Song الأنشودة المغربية ( الله يا مولانا )

Traditions matter in the land of Morocco, the people are faithful, yet they tend to be more progressive than a lot of Muslims. In a land where history has a price tag, it matters if you are well versed in the rich history of that land. This is the main reason, why Arab singers insist on doing Moroccan songs. It';s a good way to get on the radar of people who organize music festivals.

The Moroccan listener is hard to please, and one cannot fake it...you have to sing your heart out. The most famous Moroccan song is known as Allah Ya Molana, "God is our Sheppard" While the people of that land come to enjoy music from all over the map, they like to know they are special. So any star who is not Moroccan and makes a song in that dialect and style, they embrace him/her.

It pays to already speak that hard to crack dialect. Shada Hassoun had it easy, she is Moroccan from one side., Iraqi from another.

 الأنشودة المغربية ( الله يا مولانا ) شذى حسون - Alah Ya Molana Shatha

Syrian, Lebanese, Moroccan, Iraqi, Egyptian And Khaliji Song By Shatha

Shatha Hassoun is like a bridge, she is half Iraqi, half Moroccan. She bridges the Arab East and the Arab West. She works in between two cites, Beirut and Dubai. Now, here how she does it, a live appearance of hers where she sang in 8 minutes a song that covered most regional dialects and with it the musical styles.  

I must say, this is the first time I see an Arab star do such a stunt. She sounds just as fine in all those dialects. I do not know how much rehearsal she has had, but she seems to fly throw it flawlessly.
I love how she transitioned from one song into another with ease, she is good!

She knows how to party throughout Arabia. This is how good stuff is made! Live and lively indeed. Not sure how many other female songstress would be able to replicate such performance. A track that sums up Arabia in under 8 minutes! Party on

ميدلي غنائي عربي عراقي مغربي خليجي لبناني مصري سوري

Myriam Faris Blesses The Gulf With Her Butt

The horny men in the Khalij region--Gulf area might have suppressed needs. But you would not get that impression when you know the Lebanese pop star has blessed them with all her bosom  butt and whatever else she has. And do not worry, she said, people can look at her all they want, she does not mind it.

This is what she performed one poem about chicken, business and old folks. The good people in that part of the world, will look past Myriam's fake Gulf dialect, as long as they get to see the song and not just hear it. Myriam is also empowering her self by charging them top dollars for whatever concerts they want form her and yes even TV pays her to appear on their programs. She would also shake whatever she has for those dollars.

Here, she is singing an old Emirate poem, part of the that country's heritage. They song was a surprise performance for Myriam who wanted to be further liked in Dubai where she was doing a concert. Keep on keeping on and Ms. Faris will be cheering up every time she puts on an outfit and moves around the stage faking it through life. 

باص العيايز - ميريام فارس / Bus El 3eyayez - Myriam Fares

"سبل عيونه" One Palestine Song, Many Versions And Styles

There is no formal Palestinians song, if there is it has yet to be commercialized. There are many traditional wedding songs most Palestinians grow up listening to. They are written in our DNA and they live though us to the history of our ancestors and the land. Bless their hearts the village people for preserving the art form singing, they take their fun seriously.  

One classical Palestinians song about a guy on his wedding night, as they are getting ready to tattoo his hand with Henna. He is overjoyed and his eyes tell so many tales of his happy yet uncertain future. The song strikes a balance of happy and sad about the changes that happen.

I have included a dozen of version of the song where it comes in different singing styles and where different artists perform essentially y the same song.

اغاني العرس الفلسطيني - سبل عيونه


سبل عيونو شفيق كبها


ابراهيم صبيحات سبل عيونه


فرقة العاشقين - سبل عيونه

Watch: Omar Al Abdallat #Gaza Victory Song النصر لكم يا ابطال غزه قادم عمر العبداللات

When Jordan's biggest singer makes a song it goes around. This time he did not sing for Jordan instead, he sang for Gaza. A touching song form this popular folklore centered singer. This time he sings about the upcoming victory for Gaza from all around the Arab World. While talk is cheap, the only thing that will help Gaza is in that land..

While we love our Arab and Muslims people--when we are being bombed, we are on our own. When the ward ends, they come in braining aide and support. I know for once, I do not mind a good song that comes at this time offering support to the people under war--you are not alone.

There are many great songs for Palesitne out there, this Omar Al Abdallat song is pretty special it comes as a statement to tell certain people in Jordan--we are one people.
النصر لكم يا ابطال غزه قادم عمر العبداللات

Traditional Saudi Music Comes To Washington, DC

Bring your family and get ready of a rare celebration that will take place in Washington, DC, the American capital. The Smithsonian, the world's largest museum complex is hosting an event exhibiting Saudi culture to the public. "Eid al-Arabia: A Cultural Celebration," Saturday, Nov. 17, 9:30 am-5 pm. While there will be many events and functions, the portion I am interested in the most is the music.

For more details please visit this webpage.

Traditional Saudi Music

Date Saturday, November 17, 2012, 11 am, 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM Categories Performances Venue Sackler Gallery Event Location Sublevel 1 Cost Free; walk-in. Related Exhibition Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Details An ensemble of musicians from Saudi Arabia performs traditional music from the Arabian Peninsula. Poetic lyrics and complex rhythms combine with ancient modal melodies to produce distinctive regional styles. Vocalists are accompanied by ‘ud (lute), qanun (zither), nay (flute), drums, and violin. traditional saudi song

Sayed Mekawy, The Sweetest Blind Arab Musicians

Growing up with no sight in your eye must be tough and it must give people limited resources and unlimited challenges, one Egyptian man refused to see himself this way. Sayed Mekawy is one legendary and iconic Arab composer, singer who have shaped the contemporary Arabic music scene. He had added dozens of hits to the Arab classical library and most of us grew up listening to his iconic songs.

His songs are part of the collective Arab heritage that manged to captivate all Arabs without regard to culture  dialect of musical style. Sayed Mekawy refused using modern musical technological of his time and instead focused on the basics. He made pure and original Arabic music using his lute.

Sayed Mekawy was not born blind, he cried for days after the death of his father, and he stopped crying but the tears kept flowing and days later he would lose his eyesight. Undeterred by this disability, he wont onw to learn the Koran and recite it so well. Slowly he made the transition to music by doing religious themed songs  for Ramadan and other holy occasions.

His songs ended up touching on all the important economic, social, intellectual and political issues directly concerning the less privileged classes. He wrote music for almost all popular singers, except Abdel Halim Hafez. He did work with Oum Kalthoum. He has performed hundreds of songs and toured most Arab countries where he took his show. Among his legacy is adding to the Egyptian folklor music and especially the operetta Al-Leila Al-Kebira ("The Big Night")

Aside form his political and nationalist songs, he has some of the most romantic songs that live on and tell tales of this man's talent.

‏ سيد مكاوي حفلة بغداد : اغنية ما تفوتنيش انا وحدي


حلوين من يومنا والله - سيد مكاوي

Vintage Libyan Song By Mohamed Rasheed

There was once a vivid music scene in Libya, in fairness just like desert dwelling communities, music has always played a part of the folklore. Libya is no different. One of the pioneer in the Libyan music is the gentleman with the name Mohamed Rasheed.

I have tried to dig up info on this singer, but I have failed. I have included one of his most famous songs. Most Arabs would call this song part of Al Fan Al Seel which means authentic art. In the post Qaddafi world, more people are reconnecting with their heritage--the dictator did not like to make celebrities and hated to have any rivals in any field.

"The heart doesn't/won't forget you" is the title of the song. I suspect the song is form the 60s?

تراث ليبي .. محمد رشيد .. القلب ما ينساكم

The Desert Lounge" And Other Stereotypical Arabic Music

I thought about going to YouTube and typing "Arabic Music" to see what's the first video that comes up for that search. I have included it below, a video with 3,200,000 views. A mix of Arabic music that seems to be popular outside Arabia....Desert lounge, camels, the lute and there you have it.

The picture has the track list, nothing most Arabs would know. The music is the show, not the lyrics. Yes, they make certain sounds to remind you that you are not alone. But this is a really well put together album. And it seems to have sold thousands and thousands of copies at the Virgin  store.

I think the music sounds a bit like the older more classical Arabic music, but they tweak it so much, that the original composer might have a hard time recognizing it. I think fusion is good, it can come up with some good music that reaches out to broader audience. Not everyone in this county, would embrace Abdel Wahab music, but if you rework it just a little bit, it might become something that fits the Western taste.

To sum, CDs like "The Desert Lounge" are part of a place where we have two kinds of Arabic music, one we like and listen to as Arabs and another where we tell people we like this music.
Arabic Music "The Desert Lounge I°"

WATCH This Cool Egyptian Music Odyssey

Dude with a guitar in downtown, a singing lady in the balcony a family man in upper Egypt's Nuba sings, fishermen in in the Suez canal areas and their instrument. People in the country side at a wedding, old ladies singing. Urban kids of the city of Alexandria riding the train and rapping about being together.

People in those little villages standing in a fair and spitting ballad verses about their history. Sha'abi music festival in a block party and dueling microphones. The unlimited Sinai desert and its residence with their unique history.

This amazing and gorgeous video is about being together as people share the same land and they must get along. This is an example of a business bring people together while promoting their own brand and making a profit while telling people to stick together.
 All songs are in the local dialects played using the regional simple musical instrument of choice for that region
   أغنية موبينيل دايما مع بعض-Mobinil Ramadan song 2012 HD