CD-Charts Position 51
Average Rating:

Ancient Egypt

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Ali Jihad Racy

Release Date January 18, 1993
"This musical tribute to ancient Egypt was originally composed in 1978 for the King Tutankhamun Exhibit at the Seatle Art Museum. It was inspired by the artistry of the ancient treasures and the religious symbolism of the Egyptian Book of the Dead which suggested the titles of the compositions ... The recording is unique in that it is the creation of an accomplished Arab artist who captures the essence of Near Eastern sound and presents it in a contemporary innovative musical idiom ... Only traditional Near Eastern instruments were used in making this recording ... The music incorporates Near Eastern elements such as melodic ornamentation and drone accompaniment. Yet it possesses a distinctly abstract and ethereal quality enhanced by an emphasis ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 52
Average Rating:

Without You

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Masters of Persian Music

Release Date October 08, 2002
This group performs at UC Berkeley every couple years. I was fortunate enough to go twice, once in 2001 and last year. An example of how the universal language of music transcends culture and time. bestirantravel.com/culture/musicperformance.html

CD-Charts Position 53
Average Rating:

Seed

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Afro Celts

Release Date March 25, 2003
This is the fourth album I've enjoyed from Afro Celts; their blend of African rhythms and Celtic instrumentation is a joy, and never becomes boring - I've used this music as background in my classes, and my students inevitably ask me where they can get it! You can get lost in these songs, and catch yourself humming the melodies long after. I highly recommend any and all of their music to fans of ambient and world music.

CD-Charts Position 54
Average Rating:

Endless Vision

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Hossein Alizadeh, Djivan Gasparyan

Release Date February 14, 2006
The concert recorded on this disc has perhaps the most incredible composition I've ever heard, either in Persian or Western repertoire. Alizadeh's playing is incredible, and the duduk is a haunting and memorable addition. Some parts are very beautiful, others equally sad. The melodies will stay with you for a long time.

CD-Charts Position 55
Average Rating:

Michael Feinstein With the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Michael Feinstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date May 07, 2002
I love this album!! The arrangements are lush and romantic and beautifully orchestrated. Kudos to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra! Michael Feinstein has whittled out a niche in American music that few can rival--Michael Buble' comes to mind, but NO ONE does "classic" American songs by the early songwriters like Berlin, Gershwin, Cole Porter, etal, like Michael Feinstein. They feel "authentic" because he often sings them the way they were written originally.
My favorite track on this album is "Laura." The orchestral work in this arrangement is just breath-taking!

CD-Charts Position 56
Average Rating:

Sufi Chants From Cairo

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: La Confrerie Chadhiliyya

Release Date November 16, 1999
I was looking for 'call to prayer' type of works from the middle east. When I was in Istanbul I enjoyed waking to the 'call to prayer' each day. Unfortunately, the gamble on this CD did not get the results I was looking for. I would recommend sampling with all the CD's in the World section unless you are familiar with them. Unfortunately, Amazon appears not to offer that service with any reliability.

CD-Charts Position 57
Average Rating:

Harem (CD & DVD)

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Sarah Brightman

Release Date June 10, 2003
Sarah Brightman has developed her talent for singing in a grand way. Her video performance is equally great.

She will never probably have any idea how many nights she has sung me to sleep ;).

I look for a performance and a live concert to come near me soon.

I would like to see her, however, embrace the more artistic and less of the skimpy clothing side.

There is a delicate line between flash, art, and trash, and some footage and photos of her cross the line with me.

Nude and semi-nude do not mix with song and expression. Sorry, dear, my beloved Sarah, but I am only in this for your singing talent, not to be made to long for your bod in my arms.

Keep it cleaner. Skimpy or revealing clothing, photos, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 58
Average Rating:

Iran - Persian Classical Music

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 17, 1991
From listening to the brief music samples I'd hoped to find an instrumental album of authentic music. So often CDs that purport to be Middle Eastern music turn out to be rave mixes.

The good part? This is authentic. The downside? Husky-voiced vocals are prevalent throughout much of each track. When it comes to "world music" (or whatever they're calling it these days) the one thing that doesn't appeal to me is the vocals. Apart from that the music was enjoyable.

That's one thing I like about the Ravi Shankar albums I've owned or heard, if he's ever sung I haven't heard it.

CD-Charts Position 59
Average Rating:

Bellydance Superstars, Vol. 4

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 14, 2006
The item was exactly as the seller described it. It arrived in excellent condition and quite quickly.

CD-Charts Position 60
Average Rating:

When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq

CD-Charts > Music > Middle East
by: Rahim Alhaj, Souhail Kaspar

Release Date October 24, 2006
Playing Time - 73:26 -- Rahim Alhaj is a master of the oud (Arabic lute). All but one of the nine tracks span between 7-11 minutes. Alhaj's original taqsim (instrumental improvisations) provide a contemporary interpretation of maqams (the unique pitches on the Arabic musical scale along with their melodic movement). Alhaj's material is also rooted in and derived from this Iraqi musical tradition. For example, "Taqsim Maqam Hijaz" includes a rendition of the famous Iraqi song "Atop the Palm Tree." In fact, each piece includes improvisation followed by a famous song. While it might have been more interesting for some of the pieces to be arranged with a fuller maqam ensemble sound of spike fiddle (joza) and dulcimer (santur) too, some of the cuts do feature percussionist Souhail Kaspar ... Read More: