Why Arab Idol Needs Mohammed Assaf (محمد عساف) To Win

There's a skinny Palestinian guy from Gaza on Arab Idol, and he is making all the news. The judges love this very talented guy. He is a super star and no one can take this from him. His voice is so strong yet so tender. The question is, will he take the title back to Palestine?

He seems to be the best voices on the program, and I have heard and seen a lot of other talents who are very talented, but none of them has the back-story like Assaf does. He is not supposed to be on the show, but he made it and did he dazzle the fans?

Tell you what while he was on the show, he gave many people around the Arab World a reason to smile at those dark times. While far too many Arab states are seeing murder and fear upon them, None has seen it for as long as Gaza has. All suffering is painful, that does not make it easier. But Assaf is a rare talent, he is from a different bread. You give him a song and this guy brings it back to live and puts so much effort to entertain and stay loyal.

He clearly has blown away many Egyptian when he first performed that Abdel Halim song, he was the bomb. He got four yeses from the critical judges. Then he moved on to Lebanon where he did some of their better known songs....and you can see the Lebanese judges were speechless and handed him all the yeses they have.

I will watch him and will speak-up if he had a bad day, but so far out of the three songs he has covered, he won fair and square. There are 27 other talent on the show, I can see him being a finalist and a contender for the title. See him take on the stage and do his bit--it was the toughest part of the song and he did the high and low notes so well--it was a riot.

Arab Idol - مرحلة بيروت - انا يللي عليكي مشتاق


الفنان محمد عساف اليوم مقطع من الاغنية المشتركة انا يلي عليكي مشتاق arab idol


الفنان محمد عساف اليوم arab idol مقاطع أغنية على بابي واقف قمرين

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

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: Ommi - Mother. [Full translation And Vivian Mrad's Version فيفيان مراد أمي

The most surprising mother song of the year has to be the one with Vivian Mrad playing a Marcel Khalife song. You cannot relive the oldies, but you can breath a new air into them and bring in new fans to enjoy the classics.

Marcel's original song is timeless, I miss my mother's bread and her coffee. Most Arabs memorize this song from the activist singer and gifted musician who has traveled the world and performed at the most prestigious music venues.

Vivian Mrad is a pop diva with a warm voice, and this song shows she has some real talent. Aside form her dance songs, and gorgeous Photo-shoots, she can rock. I love the lute bit in both versions. Vivan's lasts for under three minutes, the original goes for more than nine.

Vivian really outdoes herself her and goes the length to show how much she loves two things, the first is her mother and the second this song which is for mothers.

فيفيان مراد أمي


Marcel Khalife - Ommi - Mother. [Full translation/

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

Video: Japanese Beautifully Cover Classic Arabic Songs

They have nailed the song on its head, and the music is so close to the real thing. I have never thought Egyptian music would be something that the people of japan care for, but things you learn. This is an ensemble of four ladies including the vocalist.

The Arabs is pretty decent. I think so far the have performed Oum Kalthoum songs. For a long time, bands and artists have performed songs in languages they do not speak as natives. The band behind the songs take the name "Le Club Bachraf" playing oud, nay and darboukka. Japanese singer Nao Koyasu sings Arabic songs "Inta Omri" and "Lissa fakir" of great Oum Kalsoum. These videos are from their concert in Cairo, Egypt, country of origin.

Le Club Bachraf ft. Nao Koyasu - Inta Omri : Japanese singer Nao Koyasu sings "Inta Omri" composed by Muhammad Abdelwahab / Le Club Bachraf Concert in Cairo 2012 at Beit el Umma(Saad Zaghloul Cultural Center), Cairo, Egypt, August 11th 2012 / Yoshiko Matsuda(Oud), June Chikuma(Nay), Chisato Yagi(Derboukka), Nao Koyasu(Vocal) / Presented by JSPS(Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Cairo Research Station(Director: Dr So Hasegawa)

 / 子安菜穂、カイロでインタオムリを熱唱(ロングバージョン15'59") / ウンム・カルスームの名曲インタ・オムリ(ムハンマド・アブドゥルワハーブ作曲) / ル・クラブ・バシュラフ・エジプト公演2012 カイロ・サアド・ザグルール文化センター 2012年8月11日(土) / Le Club Bachraf：竹間ジュン(ナイ), 松田嘉子(ウード), やぎちさと(ダルブッカ), 子安菜穂(ボーカル) / Enta Omri / 日本学術振興会カイロ研究連絡センター主催(長谷川奏センター長)


(more info)

أنت عمري الفرقة اليابانية Le Club Bachraf - Japanese ensemble - Inta Omri



لسه فاكر الفرقة اليابانية Le Club Bachraf - Japanese ensemble - Lissa Fakir

"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

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

This Saudi Prince Gets A Song By Zein Chaker الوليد بن طلال - ملك ٌ كريمٌ -غناء زين شاكر

I love the music for this new song, it's very classy and reminds us of the fine Arabic compositions that no body is making right no. Lebanese singer Zein Chaker is out with a new song for the Saudi Prince Al Waleed, the mogul and business man who also owns Rotana entertainment network

Prince Al Waleed can be seen cool and a fun person, he is a different kind of leader in Saudi Arabia and the world sort of adores him. Chaker's last song was about someone who used to be a guy, and his followup song is a flattery song for the Saudi prince. I must be a fan of the prince because he was the inspiration for this song that feels authentic.

He composed the song on top of writing the lyrics. The artists seems to admire the prince and call him noble king not a mere human. "Because He deserves it" is how Chaker replied to the prince inquiries. I respect this song if it came from the heart. It's an old habit where the old Arabs would shower those who compliment them, tell tales about them with gifts, and rewards.

الوليد بن طلال - ملك ٌ كريمٌ -غناء زين شاكر

Eighties Pop With Egyptain Mona Abd El Ghany

Arabic pop was born on the late eighties of the last century. Unlike the more class songs that ruled up to that point, pop music was not trying to impress listeners with fancy lyrics and creative poetry. At its start, the rule was use everyday words, simple and direct to describe a moment in time.

And the music will carry your song where people will dance and move along with your music. Among those pop pioneers is none other than the now retried Mona Abd el Ghany. She was making early songs with the help of Ammar El Sharei. And she made a solo or two albums under this lable. Her music videos might be silly now but they were hot then. I know my sisters were dazzled by those and the outfits Mona sported.

Also listen to 03 track and tell me that you are not hearing Fayros Karawya--the lead female voice of Egyptian music at this moment. It's scary how similar those two voices are as revealed by this song.


02 2alby Ydo2 - Mona Abd el Ghany / قلبي بيدق - منى عبدالغنى


08 E7na Meen - Mona Abd el Ghany / احنا مين - منى عبدالغنى


03 Been Delo3ak - Mona Abd el Ghany / بين ضلوعك - منى عبدالغنى

Music From When Assala Cared More For Her Music Than Her Look

We all like good looks, but when Assala made her big dent on Arabic music she did it through her music and radio voice. But then the rule of the game changed with network TV, the internet and reality TV. Assala is a pioneer on all those. She made music videos when the times asked for them, she made a website and then a Facebook/YouTube channel followed. And now she has her own TV show where she hosts on her home groups of performers together.

But before this era, she worked with names like Hilmi Baker who kept her original and not pop-centered. The music they have given her were a bridge in time lining the Syrian Diva with the golden classical days. But there's little money in that. Money is in pop and in Gulf music so Assala as any business woman made the transition.

I do not see her doing gigs in houses of opera--it's not because of Syria no matter what she says. She still sings around the world. I loved her 2012 album, I thought it has some fresh ideas, but only a song or two have lasting powers  unlike the two songs below from the late 90s, they are the kind of songs everyone wants to copy.

Assala - Ya Sabra Yana / أصالة - يا صابره يانا


Assala - Sam7tak / اصاله - سامحتك

List Of Youngest Arab Singers By Names

1. Natasha, Lebanese a combination between Nancy Ajram and Warda! She is young, talented and under 20 years of age. Her father is a musician by training and her brother runs the business side. I love her many characters she is able to produce. She can be pop and fun, but when needed she can be classy and deliver heavy doze of mellow pure Arabic hits with the oldie flavor. She has two albums, but I think Rotana is not helping her career. Video
2. Carmin Solimna, Egyptian who finished high school this year, she shot to fame by winning the Arab Idol contest. She comes from a loving family and has yet to release one single original song. But the tracks she has left behind cover the classics. She has an astonishing voice that can move water and breaks glasses. She can convey complex emotions with few vocal notes. With Carmin the sky is the limit. She is a free agent, but she is often contracted for nights of music in big galas and cultural events. Video  
3. George Zogheb, the youngest on the list. He is a preteen, but his music is not for the young ones, but rather who those who have lived in the 60s and 70s. He also loves Lebanon and his first original song is made for the motherland. He appears in concerts around Lebanon and slowly but surely he is making a big splash every where he goes. On the list, he knows the most about making music as he is well trained on the Oud.      

جورج زغيب - قارئة الفنجان

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

Meet The Arab Diva Married Eight Times!

Sabah of Lebanon or Sabah Al Shahroura is that lady who was among the few Arab entertainers to marry many times--eight to be exact. Do not tell me about your traditional marriage and values  there are people like that who mock it with the way they lead their lives.

While many young people out there are unable to get married, there's one celebrity who has at least gotten married seven times. At her prime she was the it girl and she ruled the 60s and part of the 70s too.

1. Najib Al Shmmas, her first hubby and she was 18 at the time, he was the age of her father and it ended in an ugly divorce.
2. Abdallah Al Mubarak was an Arab business man who married Sabah next. They met in a casino where she was performing. Needless to say the marriage lasted just for one month. Al Mubarak asked Sabah to quit the show business, but instead she quit him.
3. Anwar Mansy, the violinist in he band, he loved her and confessed her love to her, only to find out that Sabah feels the same way. He fathered her girl Hoida, but his addiction to gambling and he was prone to violence. Divorce was sought.   
4. Ahmed Farraj, a low level radio personality that appeared on a show that Sabah starred. They married, and denied it for a while, then they started to bicker over modest clothes and song selections. The jealous husband would question the Sabah and even wiretap her phone as well, they divorced three years later in 1963.    
5. Rushdie Abaza, the prince of the silver screen, the manliest man who all of a sudden announced her married to Sabah. They have worked only on one movies, and the wedding was officiated in a Beirut court. The wedding only lasted for 48 hours, the wedding and the divorce were both surprises. 
6. Joe Hammoud, summer of 1970 was a very special time for Sabah and this politician. Joe was the loving kind, he understood the demand of her career, and was supportive, but two years later he was running for office and they divorced.   
7. Wassim Tabarra, a Lebanese comedian, actor  and director who kept his marriage to Sabah for five years. He approached her about his love and they get married in 1973. Sabah cited that the move loves himself more than he loved her and he had a lot of business and artistic ambitions. They had a disagreement while in Canada, so she walked out on him. 
8. Fadi Kuntar of Fadi of Lebanon, they married in 1987. He was a b list singer and almost half her age at that point. They were together for 15 years. According to Sabah he was too busy with his friends and his future. She left him after thinking about it for at least two years. He did get to document her life on film. 

Other reported marriages:

1. Actor Youssef Shaaban - another marriage of creative differences, lasting just a month. Another man who strayed to the stage and briefly into the Lebanese temptress's web. 
2. Joseph Gharib The initial marriage report was an April Fools prank, later turned bon fide wedlock, as reported this month. Her former hair-dresser of 17 years became her husband. At the time she was 85 years old.

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

Sherine Channels Her Inner Najat Al Saghira شيرين عبدالوهاب - طول عمرى احبك - جديد 2013

Sherine is ready to be great on her own merit. But she also admires those who have come before us. Sherine knows how to stretch and extract her voice in any way she desires. She came from humble beginnings  and she did well for herself and her loved ones

The impressive part, her complete image change, she did pop songs at first, and she blazed the dance floor with her upbeat and perfect beat songs. Three albums later, and she has carved a place in history and claimed a spot in the biggest concerts around the Arab World. She has at least five album to her name, and each album has enough hits on it to blow a whale out of water.

Most recently she has given us romance gems that have a staying power, she still makes happy giddy dance songs and those live on as well. But every time she performs live, is like her giving the listener a piece of her soul. This time she chose to cover an acoustic version of Najat Al Saghira in a love confession song. This was recorded on a TV show, so it's not long enough, but at this time, it will do.

Also make sure to give thanks to Kamal Al Taweel, the legend who composed the music.

شيرين عبدالوهاب - طول عمرى احبك - جديد 2013



نجاة .طول عمرى أحبكHassan

Samir Serour, Arabia's Most Revered Saxophone Player

Samir Serour was a member of the Abdel Halim Hafez band, he was the man who could make his saxophone sing. While the the man act of his band is no longer walking God's earth, Samir Serour pursued a solo career, not singing but playing the Saxophone, doing cover music for the old beloved gems that Abdel Halim Hafez made well known.

Then he went on to play other songs for the likes of Oum Kalthoum. His music has often rendered me speechless as I listen and really listener like if I am about to pick my cue so that I can sing the songs that I grew fond of each time.

Samir has earned the title of "Asheq Al Sax" or in English "The Sax Muse" his career started in the 50s and seems to have never ended. He began his love affair with the Sax during his time at the military where he was a member of the armed forces band.

He was picked form the music street "Mohamed Ali Street" by the composer Baligh Hamdi who has introduced him to Umm Koulthom whom added him to her band. Later he would perform with other stars including Najat, Fayza Ahmed. He performed with other young more recent artists too and has released six solo albums.

The late Samir Serous is no longer with us himself as he passed in 2003 after living a life to the fullest.


samir srour : Awal Mara / سمير سرور :اول مره vol (2)


samir srour : Olouloh / سمير سرور : قولولو vol (2)

Mehad Hamad, The Traditional Arabic Music Purist

If you want a purist singer who does Gulf style Arabic songs, then you have landed in the right place. His name is Mehad Hamad, a local singer from the United Arab Emirates who does nothing new or invented. He just works with melodies and instruments that has been available for decades.

While most new singers and composers in the region rush to incorporate Latin and Indian melodies unto the local Gulf music scene. Mehad goes back in time and brings back some of the old themes with a fresh twist.

Mehad is not an A list outside the local music scene  but those who know him, love and cherish his songs. I have come to like his voice and old Bedouin style, I love the old Arabic he uses, it makes me think I am living in another time. His chorus keeps the song relevant and exciting while he preserves the traditional both musically stylishly.

This is his Eid song where he states he is in need for the Eid--time of celebration. You will appreciate the lute   
أغنية محتاج للعيد - ميحد حمد

Chevrolet's Beautiful Assault On Arabic Music

Business would stop at nothing to promote their products, nothing beats a good song that everyone can relate to. I do drive a Chevrolet and I do like Arabic music. I may not follow Arab Idol, but I know what;s going on. The idea behind this commercial is simple, bring all those young--and popular singers who are competing on Arab Idol, put them together and have them drive your awesome cars.

The product a lot of young people who like music are looking like they are having fun. Three boys and three girls together in the wilderness playing music, having a picnic and surrounded by their Chevy's. Since this is a singing competition, have them do a remixed version of an Arab classic the late Algerian Warda performed.

This is how you make a commercial, you explore a new concept, keep it interesting and do not take the same shot twice. And yes, it helps to have a good product to promote.

I love their time on the seaport. I think the drive in theater is also a fresh concept. This will surely make your Chevrolet Sonic seem event hotter. And on another note, what is with the scarves  why do all the dudes wear them? Am I missing something?

شڤروليه سونِك Arab Idol ريميكس - بتونس بيك

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.