Prog elsewhere

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   For those who appreciate classical oriental music, this genre carried some of the most progressive styles and artists I have ever heard.

If you listen to the likes of Oum Kalthoum (especially her songs written by Abdelwahab), Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid El Atrache, who performed during the 30's through the late 60's, you'll see one of the purest and most symphonic forms of prog.

The songs are based on superb melodies, often going on for more than 50 minutes, with sometimes a few occidental influences (you can often hear a clean electric guitar accompanying the orchestra).

The focus remains of course on the singer who has to have an incredible voice. The orchestra playing along is mostly composed of violins (+ 2-3 cellos and a double bass), a luth, a "kanoun", and a flute.

I recommend, to start with, "Alf layla w layla" (A Thousand and One Nights) from Oum Kalthoum.
Most of the recordings are made live.

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mono Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 12 2005 Location: Paris, France Status: Offline Points: 652	Topic: Prog elsewhere Posted: January 17 2008 at 05:03
	For those who appreciate classical oriental music, this genre carried some of the most progressive styles and artists I have ever heard. If you listen to the likes of Oum Kalthoum (especially her songs written by Abdelwahab), Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid El Atrache, who performed during the 30's through the late 60's, you'll see one of the purest and most symphonic forms of prog. The songs are based on superb melodies, often going on for more than 50 minutes, with sometimes a few occidental influences (you can often hear a clean electric guitar accompanying the orchestra). The focus remains of course on the singer who has to have an incredible voice. The orchestra playing along is mostly composed of violins (+ 2-3 cellos and a double bass), a luth, a "kanoun", and a flute. I recommend, to start with, "Alf layla w layla" (A Thousand and One Nights) from Oum Kalthoum. Most of the recordings are made live.

Dick Heath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Jazz-Rock Specialist Joined: April 19 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 12813	Posted: January 17 2008 at 08:39
	Whilst trying find info on web wrt the late Algerian songstress and the Diva of Rai, Rimitti, I came across this website, which seems to be pretty much develops what you are writing about: http://progressive.homestead.com/MiddleEast.html To go back to Rimitti, she did an album plus a remix album in the 90's with Robert Fripp, Flea and former members of Zappa's wind/brass sections: respectively *Sidi Mansour* and *Cheikha -* the former is excellent. Rachid Taha, an Algerian Rai singer, has worked with Steve Hillage for the last 20 years, although musically Taha has tried many fusions of Arabic popular music with other types e.g. post-punk on Rock El Casbah!!!
	The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath.