Another stellar disk from Arc Music celebrating the music of the Arab oud, the direct ancestor of the European lute (al oud) played by the late Alan Bardezbanian, a gifted player who grew up in Watertown, Mass and studied at Berklee College of Music. He mastered many musical styles. Unusual for an Armenian and western-trained musician, he studied Turkish music according to the traditional makam system. This is a lovingly recorded compendium that serves as a fitting memorial for a brilliant contributor to the world music scene.

NO FCC's (all instrumental) Favorite tracks: 1, 7, 12, 14, 15

*1-- Uskudar –6:29 – lovely unhurried intro to this classical Turkish folk song about a clerk and his lover; evocative even without lyrics; versions go from slow to fast; fabulous oud playing; nice arrangements

2—Dari Mana/Ooskas Gookas –3:54 – upbeat Armenian dance medley in 10/8 time; makes you want to get up and do the steps

3--Zapion Tsamiko—4:08-- hypnotic Greek dance music

4--Rast Taksim—1:03 – oud improvisation in makam Rast

5--Rast Kashlamar—3:05-- traditional Turkish dance tune in 9/8

6--Longa Farahfaza—4:21—classic Arabic composition written by Egyptian oud virtuoso; really moves

*7--Bir Demet Yasemin—6:17—Turkish love song “A Bouquet of Jasmine,” nice accordion

8--Country Girl—4:11—traditional Armenian song-- picks up speed; you can almost see the circle of dancers

9--Im Anoush Davigh—1:08-- original composition by Katchaturian Avedissian

10—Enzelee—2:37—classical Armenian dance music in 10/8 time with a twist at end changing to 6/8; very peppy with syncopation

11--ĺstemem Babacim—4:10-- folk tune shared by Greeks and Turks

*12—Samiotisa—2:51—Greek dance tune in 7/8 time; sweet

13--Husseini Taksim – 2:44 –oud improvisation in makam Hosseini

*14--Arapena / Rhodes – 5:03—traditional Greek tune

*15--Nihavent Longa—4:28—classical Ottoman piece written by female composer and kemanche player Kemani Kevser Hanim