"Caros audiophiles, this week I am inspired by two friends, one who recently has travelled in Morocco and the other who has just returned from living in Egypt, to choose songs by two North African/Middle Eastern artists.
Amr Diab is Egypt's most successful singer in terms of popularity and sales. Born into a privileged and educated family, he is considered to have developed a "pan-Mediterranean" sound, a blend of traditional Arabic rai and western pop rhythms. I did not know of Amr until by chance recently I heard this song Tamally Maak, which means simply I Am Always With You, apparently one of the most popular Arabic songs ever:
Souad Massi was born in Algeria within a poor family. She began her career singing political songs about her country's difficult civil problems and consequently was severely disapproved by powerful people in government. More than this, Souad was a young woman who liked modern western dress and so challenged her male-dominated society. After death threats and being shot at, she moved to Paris where she continues to write songs about her home country. A few years ago I saw her fantastic debut UK concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and have been a fan ever since. Like Amr Diab, she incorporates traditional Algerian arabic instruments and rhythms with western styles.
This song is called Raoui (The Storyteller); it speaks that, although everyone has a story in their heart about today's socio-political troubles, they should forget their problems for a moment and listen to the storyteller recounting tales of "once upon a time" of more innocent times:
I hope you enjoy.
A proxima.
PO
