{"id":1298,"date":"2010-03-14T17:02:05","date_gmt":"2010-03-15T00:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=1298"},"modified":"2010-03-14T17:05:31","modified_gmt":"2010-03-15T00:05:31","slug":"taaj-3-classical-egyptian-cds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/03\/14\/taaj-3-classical-egyptian-cds\/","title":{"rendered":"

A Look at Three Different Classical Egyptian CDs<\/h3>"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"#<\/p>\n

Leila’s "Om Al Dunya",
\nSamy Farag’s "Classic Egyptian Belly Dancing Music",
\nHamoudi Ali’s "A Gift from Cairo", <\/h2>\n

reviewed by Taaj<\/a>
\nposted December 12, 2009<\/span><\/h3>\n

Classical Egyptian music and dance style have been around for decades. This is both positive and negative for dancers looking for music in this style. On one hand, there is a lot to choose from. On the other hand, it\u2019s so easy to locate the best known pieces by the best known artists that it is hard to find something new and inspiring. Here is a look at three very different CDs that may narrow down your choices a bit. <\/p>\n

\"Leila's<\/a>Leila Presents Om Al Dunya Egyptian Belly Dance Music Volume 3<\/p>\n

I love Classical Egyptian belly dance music. I think it gives the dancer the most soulful opportunity for expression. It reminds me of Egypt. It can be an emotional journey for the audience. So why wasn\u2019t I blown away by this truly classical collection of music? I really wanted to be. <\/p>\n

The opening overture was a great way to begin, but it leads up to something and then stops. I don\u2019t think that it\u2019s versatile enough to just tack on to your own music and keep going. It has it\u2019s own sound and begs to be followed up with something with the same feel. <\/p>\n

Most of the music is fine, but when you are looking for something to dance to, you don\u2019t just want \u201cfine.\u201d You want something that is going to move you. Most of the songs sound like you are at a wedding and the band is tired after doing its second gig of the day. There is not much inspiring here. <\/p>\n

The CD has some stand out cuts that make it a worthwhile buy for me.<\/p>\n

Track 5 is a medley of Al Eine Moonayity and Dari ya Dar. Al Eine Moonayity is an old song that has been redone here of course, but this is a lively version that fades into a cute drum solo and then into the second song that is a complete let down. I\u2019d use the three minute version of Al Eine Moonayity and cut it where the short drum solo fades.<\/p>\n

The other piece that makes this CD a keeper is the 3 minute drum solo.<\/p>\n

It sounds as if it was created for dancers.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

It is fun with none of the strange little hiccups that some drum solos contain that can jam a dancer up. It\u2019s got good variety and gives the dancer ample opportunity to show her stuff. <\/p>\n

All in all Om Al Dunya is a decent CD. There is nothing bad about it. You just probably already have at least 10 other CDs that sound just like it. I rarely find anything that has more than a song or two that I really like however, <\/p>\n

so for me, it is a winner.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Rating-2
\n\tRating- 2 zils<\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Dr<\/a>Classic Egyptian Belly Dancing Music by Dr Samy Farag<\/p>\n

When I get a new CD by an artist that I am already familiar with and like, I hope that the new one will be a blend of the old things I love and new things that inspire me to keep me interested. This CD wildly exceeds my dreams in both those departments. <\/p>\n\n\n
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I tend to dislike techno-y versions of Classical music, but Dr. Samy expertly weaves elements of modern electronics into classical pieces in ways that actually work well! The electronics enhance the music instead of overwhelming it. The musicality and emotion are intact, so you can be driven by an upbeat rhythm and be expressive at the same time. I think this is a wonderful blend for new dancers coming into the dance as well as established old timers like me who enjoy the classics.<\/p>\n

My absolute favorite is Hungarian Dance, which is a remake of Brahm\u2019s Hungarian Dance No. 5. Oh, my God does Dr. Samy show off his depth of passion and creativity in this one! <\/p>\n

If you are a ballerina looking for a good fusion piece, this is it!<\/p>\n

It opens with a haunting ney overlayed on top of a funky bass beat that doesn\u2019t hint at the romantic familiar tune that follows. The blend of piano, voice, electronics, and Middle Eastern touches are sheer genius. Dr. Samy has taken fusion to a new height that I can\u2019t imagine will be soon eclipsed. <\/p>\n

Danza Mora (Malguena) is another example of incredible fusion. This piece sounds like nothing I have ever heard before. It is dreamy, passionate and filled with tension of longing. Dr. Samy squeezes every ounce of emotion out of every note, choosing each accent and instrument for maximum effectiveness. The end result is pure pleasure. What an awesome reproduction of this song. <\/p>\n

Track ten is a waltz! Can you imagine a belly dance waltz?! I never would have thought it possible, but Dr. Samy pulls it off. <\/p>\n

Ballroom dancers looking for a new twist to add to their repertoire now have a song that is made just for them. To top it all off Dr. Samy gives us a drum solo. It\u2019s not a new one. It\u2019s recycled from another CD,<\/p>\n

but after everything else he\u2019s delivered, who cares? You probably already have it anyway. If you don\u2019t, you should because it\u2019s a good one.<\/p>\n

I have to tell you that I am enraptured with this CD. <\/p>\n

There is probably nothing on it that I would ever dance to,<\/p>\n

but I could listen to it over and over and continue to marvel at the inventive interplay of old and new, eastern and western. If you are prone to experimentation, you must have this! It is brilliant.<\/p>\n

\"Rating-4
\n\tRating- 4 zils<\/h4>\n

\"A<\/a>Belly Dance- A Gift from Cairo arranged and prepared by Hamouda Ali<\/p>\n

Hollywood Music Center puts out a TON of music. Belly dancers around the world are lucky to have them; however, this one is not one of their shining stars. There is nothing \u201cbad\u201d about it, but is sounds formulaic and familiar. I think some of these songs are on their other CDs. Nothing jumps out as sounding fresh. Nothing inspires me to get up and dance NOW. However, \u201cformulaic\u2019 for Hollywood Music is still a cut above an untried stab in the dark. <\/p>\n

They put out a quality product. As far as song selection goes, it has a lot of songs on it that every dancer should know. <\/p>\n

It just doesn\u2019t compare favorably to their other products or other CDs out there. <\/p>\n

\"Rating
\n\tRating 2 zils.<\/h4>\n

John Keats once said, \u201cA thing of beauty is a joy forever.\u201d So it is with Classical belly dance music. There are pieces that have always and will always move you, no matter how you change or times change. Those are the timeless benchmarks that other artists have to measure up to.\u00a0 The bar is high which makes buying a new, impressive CD in this genre difficult. There are treasures here and there, so I wouldn\u2019t give up looking. The two above are fine if you haven\u2019t yet found those treasures. Dr. Samy\u2019s is great is you are looking for something with classical foundations yet is outside of the box.<\/p>\n

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