Karim Mohsen, The Egyptian Pop Kingmaker

Funny how life works, Kareim Mohsen had a boy crush on then hot record artist Tamer Hosny, he  chased him down and hoped to work with him one day. Tamer gave Karim a shot and listed to his amazing melodies. Tamer would become one of closest friends in the business. Tamer would work with Kareim Mohsen and get his best and finest melodies. Karim would even appear in a number of films for Tamer Hosny.

Karim becomes one of Tamer Hosny's entourage member. Karim branches out and gives some of his melodies to other names in the pop business. Karim would go on and make his own album, months before Egypt starts a historic revolt. Tamer Hosny's stocks drop, and he is no longer the mega star he once was.

Karim Mohsen would keep quiet and tried to push his own record, he does many concerts in universities and malls around Egypt, and he would press on as a composer for the young voices striving for something fresh and dancey.

His first hit came in 2006, after the release of his hit single Yalla Maa El Salama with singer Shady. But Karim wanted something more so he began by composing many hit songs for various Arab singers such as: Waeid Aalia for the Egyptian singer Zizi Adel, He also composed Kan Feen Min Bardy for Khaled Selim. Karim became more prominent as a singer, actor and composer after his collaboration with singer Tamer Hosny. In 2008, Karim worked with Tamer on his "Haeesh Hayati Album". Karim composed four songs: Kol Ely Fat, Taaba Kol El Nass, Haeesh Hayati and Beyhsedoni Aaleek. He also composed the English song "Come back to me".

Karim Mohsen - Ehlawet El Donia / كريم محسن - احلوت الدنيا

If You Have An Hour To Kill Listen to This Song وردة الجزائرية - رائعة : أكذب عليك | حفلة " كاملة

Who among has an hour nowadays to spend watching (listening really) to a great song? I love you Warda, but it seems the time is not right anymore for us to set and listen to one of your most celebrated songs "Akbib 'Aleek", while it;s a great song by all accounts, the song will live on long after we all have gone away.

But for ease sake, I have both versions, the full 56 minutes long original song and the quickie version under 10 minutes. The remains one the most remade songs by young talents--namely women who find their voices made for this beloved hit. The late Warda had so many wonderful songs, that live in our collective memory. She is the voice of our emotions and sentiments when we are in love and when the passion is there.

It's no breaking news, that Warda is one of the few things Egypt and Algeria agree on--sadly. No better person Algeria has the kind of love Egypt has for Warda and her art.

 وردة الجزائرية - رائعة : أكذب عليك | حفلة " كاملة "


وردة الجزائرية - أكذب عليك

The Jacksons Hit All The Notes In Their Abu Dhabi Concert

Nobody believes that the Jacobson are mourning the death of their most favorite and legendary brother Michael. But the now troubled family is touring the world sharing the legacy of their beloved brother. The leg of the tour took them to Abu Dhabi, a city where many rich people live and many people who like to be rich dwell.

This meant to be a tribute concert performing Micheal's great songs in sold out venues. Janet has already performed there. Michael is irreplaceable, but the Jackson Five where it all started, so Michael has always done well with his solo act.

This is the first time the Jackson's get seen together performing. Four Jacksons took on the audience by storm. Watch them give an interview talking about his legacy and his spirit. The Gulf a great place to sell any American product, the Jacksons are among this nation's finest export to the world.    

"آل جاكسون" كرَّموا شقيقهم في أبو ظبي

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

Listen: Stuff Of The Legends, Najat Al Saghira

You do not make a song for over 20 minutes, if you know you have something incredible to show for it. You need the classical music parade, and the warm voice that will perform the best poetic lyrics money can buy. Whatever the occasion, Najat doesn't care, there are plenty of good excuses to sit down and perform a sappy—er, heartfelt—love song to her special man.

 But if you don't know the first thing about how to begin expressing those "emotions" you seem to keep feeling, fear not—you've come to the right place. She always got the lowdown on how to spill her guts into a melody and make you swoon. Or at least laugh out loud. Najat's songs tend to excel in telling details which she captured with her very own style.

Najat Al Saghira may have the Junior as her last name, she is second to none in the type of songs she chooses to perform. She is about romantic song, her personal warmth, dreamy eyes and soulful honey dripping lyrics have stood the test of time


عيش معايا - اررروع ماغنت بصوتها الدافئ - نجاة الصغيرة

The Bipolar Ehab Tawfik The Saint vs. The Party Guy

Most artists have to put on a face and smile even though they are hurting in the inside, they are under constant spotlight and anytime they say something, someone somewhere will write something. But one of my favorite stars, the cool pop guy of the nineties is none other than Ehab Tawfik.


While he is not bipolar or anything, his musical choices are so. To elaborate, Ehab Tawfik can do only two songs. One is happy because he loves some girl, that means we get a dance intense song. And the other song, the one he makes about girl that left him or would not marry him. We would tear up for that one.

Any  album he makes, you get 8 songs, 6 happy and 2 really sad and dramatic tracks. This is what we have to expect form Ehab. Does he make other songs? No. But he has made religions songs that did not make any impression on any of us.

He is still scouting out new songs, but he has changed homes, he now lives in Qatar not Egypt and hopes to stage a comeback this year. For the past four years his star has faded away with more and and more talented young artists jumping in.

Lately, I cannot make up my mind on Ehab, one day he all spiritual, talking regrets  and the next he is doing some party in the States. So he might be bipolar as he is often contradicting himself. I am grownup and I know he has to pay the bills so music is a job, not a lifestyle for him.  He was in America few months ago, and pictures at his party were fun, he was modest, but his concert goers went there for a good time, not a worship service.

Find below one of his happy go lucky beach songs.

Ahla Menhom - Ehab Tawfik احلى منهم - حفله - ايهاب توفيق

The United Egyptian People's Song حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر

The trip of Hamid El Shari, Moustafa Shawki, and Ala Abed El Khalik stole this month of March with the release of their new song, about the united people. They celebrate everything that brings them together and not worry about the things that pull them apart.

A sweet vocal treat from three guys whose voices we have grown enjoying. Hamid is the man behind this song, but the three performers rally around, we all worship differently, but the homeland is all ours. I wish the politicians would listen to this song and apply it in their work.

The music video makes it out and we get to see the best places and best things about Egypt, the song itself reminds us why this place matters. A serious song from three patriots comes in the right time.

حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر

"I Love Her" Where Her Is Egypt By Abdel Halim

Do not even get me started on all the awesome hits Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafiz has given us. It's like he has never passed away, every time a song of his plays, it feels like we have not heard it before. We cannot help but listen and listen well.

This time, you do not get dancing girls and a lady with golden hair, just a dude happy to be in love, he gives free hugs, and embraces his cat too. But he is giddy because he has finally gotten it that butterfly in his stomach feeling. and he is out to tell the one he loves how much he loves her. I love the classy melody of the song, it does make you relate to this moment of time.

He will tell her tomorrow all that, but for now he is singing to himself building up the courage. He does not say, whom he loves, but it might be a woman, it might be Egypt. I wanted it to be Egypt. God knows Egypt can use a love song at the moment.

بحبهــا - عبد الحليم حافظ

Listen: "I'm Egypt And I Used To Be Great" Song اغنية حميد الشاعرى وعلاء عبدالخالق - انا مصر | جديد 2013

This is a song about history and how awesome Egypt used to be back then. It was a good idea to bring two singers who come form the past when they also used to be so great...Hamid El Shari and Ala Abdel Khaliq. The duo who kicked butt in the eighties.

Their song is heartfelt and hits where it hurts, it's like they are writing an obituary for the motherland, I loved these two guys when I was younger, it must have been a great deal to bring them back together for this song project. There's one more voice that was unaccredited in this song, Mostafa Shawki

I must admit, Egyptian will find a rallying cry in this song, it's c all for unity...all parties love Egypt...they just do not know that about one another. Hamid and the other singers released this song that speaks unity about all parts of Egypt from East to West, from North to South and from coast to valley...everyone is mentioned and they all make Egypt with all its odd characters.

حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر


حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي - أنا مصر


اغنية حميد الشاعرى وعلاء عبدالخالق - انا مصر | جديد
2013

Unearthing Medhat Saleh First Music Video

Medhat Saleh has been making music videos since 1989, and here's the clip for the first music video he made when he was a young man...25 years later, he is still making music, and his name is a household name.

My path, is the title of the song and the artist can been seen walking around some of Cairo's most famous markets and narrow streets. I dreamy song from an idealist young soul who refuses to lie as the lyrics of the songs go.

This is not his finest song, but I am certain he had to start somewhere, and that introduced him to thousands of fans--the one who had TVs at that time.

مدحت صالح كليب- خطي

Akram Al Rahal Left Iraq To Promote Its Music

All Iraqi pop stars have the same look...dark shirts, open chests, fancy eye shades and greasy hair. But when they sing, each has his/her own style. They do wonders singing the blues, just checkout Akram Al Rahal, an Iraqi import who lives and performs in Syria and in any place where Iraqi music fans live..

I must admit it's very hard to find info on many of those young Iraqi singers, they do not seem to focus on building their online brands. I try in Arabic/English and little comes. Akram is a Baghdad native who attended a local Iraqi music institute. But he also played soccer in a local club. But in 1999 he left for Jordan. His first TV appearance on in 1993.

Akram works with local Iraqi poets who give him some of their best work, which he turns into pop songs.

 Akram Al Rahal - Rouh Nam / اكرم الرحال - روح نام

Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 Concert With Omar Khairat

Egypt's most seasoned and better known classical music composer and pianist Omar Khairat will be standing in the city of Dubai early 2013 for a concert. Omar Khairat  is the type of composer and pianist  you would love in any language and in any country. He makes original and inspiring music.

Omar has been part of the Egyptian music scene since 1959 when he joined the music conservatory. His music has graced dozens of films and TV shows. He is a guy that means business and never repeats himself. So for him to hold a concert in the city of Dubai where a global audience will await him is a big deal.
Omar Khairat in Dubai on 4 Jan 2013.

Omar is the pure the sound of the East made in away that Westerners can appreciate. He also teaches courses around the world including in England. He regularly performed at the Cairo Opera House and all the Egyptian and Arab ceremonies. Omar Khairat is a gift to Arabic music, and he has manged to make a career with a commercial success and without insulting his audience.

Omar Khairat in Dubai on 4 Jan 2013


عمر خيرت Omar Khairat - ''Slovenia'' - 2008

Checkout This Fun Lebanese Hippies Song By Zuhair Francis

Smooth, very much so! Zuhair Francis has the right nostalgic song brought to him by his kids. He remembers the 1974 when he has a big concert with his pals. His song is about the youthful days when he was ready to party, fall in love and try to make it right. The artist enjoys a great deal of affection from the crew, his sense of humor made this music video much better. He has already recorded a fun song that people form different generations will find appealing.

I was impressed by how cool this song feel, the song makes me want to go back to that colorful time where style was more about being care free. I love the ending when we learn he got the girl and has a gorgeous famous with her.  The character the song brings out if that for "Abu El Zouz", the very Arabic word that could fill in for "The Dude" Anybody can be that guy according to the song.

I love the rolling good times, the music and the dance beat where the East meets the West, and the old meets the modern. Groovy melodies remind me of the simple time I can only watch on YouTube. These guys knew how to party and how to make decisions  Life seems so simple and they could care less about what people on their Facebook think.

Zuhair Francis - Meza'alha / زهير فرنسيس - مزعلها

Samira Samira Said Tribute Duet

Samira Said is the subject of this new song. Samira Said, is a Moroccan songstress that has been making music for more than 30 years now. From Morocco, she came and Cairo she conquered! She might not have released a new album in more than four years, but she is working on one right now and she makes her presence known on TV by judging the "Sawt Al Hayat" or "Voice Of Life"

Two young fans of hers braved it out and made a homage song for her, one likes her physically, and the other likes her work. It's a duet by Kareem Foud and Najla El-Sharif, a tribute song in both Arabic and English for their diva.

I cannot name one singer I want to thank. They get something out of their making music for us, and we get something too. So, it's all a business transaction when it comes to it. But if you want to make a song thanking your idol--who am I to stop you?

Samira Samira -Kareem Fouad & Najla El Sharif

Immigrants: What to Expect When You're Expecting a Legal Status?

Click here for the full article

I can see how the issues of citizenship and immigration are often confused. I think we can be open to immigration, and that does not mean all immigrants become U.S. citizen merely by crossing the border. Obviously these are two different things. The process of naturalization is another thing entirely. Clearly, the Constitution gives Congress the power to establish uniform methods for naturalization. America is a vast country that can be the shining city on a hill, but it's also a land of law and order. Immigrants have built this country and are now one of the keys to combat the dropping American infertility rate. More people means a greater division of labor, and thus, more jobs. To move from being a permanent resident to becoming an American citizen will at least take five years, and to be frank America is worth the wait.

Click here for the full article

Rest In Peace Folks Music Legend Mohamed El Ezaby

At age 75 Egyptian folksy music legend has left this earth. On February 5th 2013, Arabia has lost one of its most entertaining and authentic voices, Mohamed El Ezaby. The Cairo native and better known singer who has took the folksy song of Egypt and made it into something one can see at the house of Opera. The iconic Egyptian singer own father was a well-known drummer who wanted his son to go to college. Ezzaby did, study business, and worked for the petroleum agency for a while before he landed on his singing career.

No one is able to tell better stories that he could, he told the country stories and made his fans want to go back and live in the old country. The singer have had a health complication and was being treated in one of the  Cairo hospitals. I know he has quit singing about two years ago. El Ezaby was on high demand, most concerts and cultural events and even some movies would seek him out. He is the all Egyptian voice, the story that never gets old.

Among his fans are people who have never lived in Egypt, but came to be reminded of home and mothers as a result of the ballad he told so well through his songs--many of whom are classics. Take in 2003 when he was on a duet with Lebanese pop star Diana Hadad (here). Also in 2007 he appeared in the Arab Dream Operetta, he actually kicked it off next to Legendary Wadei Safy (here).

Among the venues where he has performed is London's Albert Hall, Olympia Hall in Paris as well as dozens Arab stages. He was a personal favorite of King Hassan of Morocco. He married once and now is survived by three children, the oldest of whom is a dentist.

I came to know of the legend through my dad whom adores the man and so does my grandfather. The man who aged gracefully and kept his folksy voice. He started singing in 1954, then years later the radio picked him. He joined Rida band in 1957 and he kept much of the magic through out his five decades journey. He has also been credited in a number of films. His songs will never leave this earth, they will remain with us to speak volumes of this gifted entertainer.  

محمد العزبي - شفت حبيبي


محمد العزبي - بهية

A Touching Song In The Syriac Tradition ترتيلة سريانية - فرقة جسور & إيناس لطوف

Joussour is not your typical band, it's a throwback band to the ancient history of the Middle East region. The band is made-up of musicians from different cultural background. Which makes it a lot easier for them to turn out a diverse mix of music from Mesopotamia and the Levant including folkloric, contemporary, instrumental and vocal pieces, and the various types and stages of oriental songs in general.

The Band employs a style reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the region's varying cultures and traditions. This is done using a new creative musical language which reflects their capabilities as musicians to perform various types and styles of music, and expresses at the same time their renewed faith in their heritage and the importance of its interaction with contemporary musical genres.

The Band's namesake 'joussour' illustrates that, the word itself means 'bridges' in Arabic, more like a time-machine I would call them. The band weave together different cultural background, which comes with a unique musical style deeply rooted in history. The band started in 2007, and is led by Syrian musician Salah Ammo. Since its establishment, the group has performed several concerts, inside and outside of Syria, and is today considered one of the most important groups in Syria, due to its representation of the songs and cultures of the region. The band has yet to reach out to Europe, even though their music is the exact kind that has the across culture appeal.

So, if you think Arabic or Islamic music is too modern for you, you can go back in history and enjoy this the Orthodox Syriac tradition, a song about the divinity of God. This song is about breaking bread together.


Joussour Group & Inas Latouf ترتيلة سريانية - فرقة جسور & إيناس لطوف


the Orthodox Syriac tradition. It was written by Mar Yakoub al-Sarouji, and is performed either improvised or according to an ancient musical arrangement, as it appears in this recording. The topic of the song is peace, love and the divinity of God. Musicians: Salah Ammo: bouzouq Milad Bahi: oud and arrangement Imad Morci: cello Bassem Al Jaber: contrabass Firas Hassan: percussion Dima Mawazini: qanoun Mohamad Fityan: nay & kawlah Walid Khataba: violin Wessam Al Chaaer: accordion

Listen: Prophet Mohammad Birthday Song محمد منير يا حبنا الكبير 2013

The birthday of the Prophet is today and most Muslim countries have taken the day off to mark the birth of the prophet of Islam. One Egyptian singer who has shown us before that he is spiritual made a song to celebrate the special occasion and called it "Our Big Love"

This is one that its time has come. Mohammed Mounir does not make a lot of songs, he has a very religious side, a Sufi persuasion perhaps. Mounir is a rock star and it's refreshing to see him doing a song on a topic ignored by many of his peers. The song has been performed before by the great Egyptian legendary Oum Kolthom who had done a fair share of religions songs.

I guess on the matters of religions most people agree, but politics pulls people apart in Egypt and other places. I salute Mounir for releasing this song at now. On another note, I am not too keen on celebration of the birthday. My fear is that many Muslims will mistake it for more than what it really it. As most Muslims understand, we worship not prophet Mohammed. He is our teacher, and the messenger of the word of God.

Update: the song is about the motherland, Egypt. Not the prophet as I had initially thought. The timing of the song tricked me and so have the lyrics. Thus, the song is released on the second anniversary of the January 25th revolution. The giveaway, was the last word in the song "Wattani" or my homeland.  


اغنية محمد منير وام كلثوم - يا حبنا الكبير | جديد 2013



 محمد منير يا حبنا الكبير 2013

That 70s Show Egyptian Samir Saby

Samir Sabry is one of the most random characters in Arabic cinema, he was the good looking boy of the seventies who wanted to dance and sing by the poolside. He did just that and kept appearing in moves for at least 3 decades. He is still around, but neither doe she make movies nor does he sing.

How did he stars his career? Easy, he lived in an apartment building where other celebrities have lived at the time. Abdel Halim Hafiz picked up and thought he has something to offer. Samir did not want to do classy songs or heavy poetic or emotional songs, he wanted to sing whatever comes to mind, stuff you would sing a long to without having to think too much of it.

He used Western melodies and danced to that music in his movies. He is the product of the city of Alexandria that has lived with him all his life, even though he has spent most of his time in Cairo. His name among the artist is "Abu Samrah" Among his friends were Abdel Halim Hafez and the golden Lebanese songstress Sabah

سكر حلوة الدنيا سكر- فيديو- شادية + سمير صبري.wmv


   سمير صبري_ اغنية البحث عن فضيحة.wmv


سمير صبري سقفه قويه


سمير صبرى - اهلا بالحب فى عيده - ارشيف التليفزيون المصرى


عبدالحليم حافظ لقاء تلفزيوني مع نيللي وسمير صبري

Dabke Like A Palestinian, Best Dance Track

Palestine is not the place you think of first when you imagine a party, but those two videos may just change your mind. Let's talk about the most common dance from Dabke, it's popular in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Palestine is an extension of those other countries, cultures and landscape. Small villages around Palestine are the places where you are most likely to see those dances.

Then the big cities came in and tried to take credit for them, along came the politicians who started using that dance as they called for freedom, unity and reviving the local heritage in the face of the occupation. But this art form has moved from an entertainment at weddings and family gatherings to a political statement about survival and holding tight to the land. I would think Native Indians in the Americas had to preserve their land through dances 

PALESTINIAN DABKE


Palestinian Dabke-really good!-----FULL 1080p HD!!!!!----