Chants d’allégresse (Songs of rejoicing)

Moroccan women (and some men) performing traditional songs in Arabic. Rolling percussion, violins, lute, and voices trading solos and choruses. Tracks flow into one another, and all have a traditional sound. One of only a few women’s orchestras in Morocco, it fills a niche for women’s entertainment, and performs some songs traditionally only allowed to men. Long, informational liner notes. And lovely music. All a bit long, but exotic and complex, with women’s voices intertwining and counterpointing. Play any.

1. (9:30) 2 min. inst. intro; trades between males and 4/4, and females w/ 6-beat
2. (5:16) faster, plaintive
3. (9:07) slow sinuous solo at beg. Fun rhythms near end.
4. *(7:44) energetic, call-and-response with chorus—almost major key
5. (16:33) starts off slower; it’s more mournful
6. *(9:47) different rhythm, higher and lighter
7. (5:32) happier and more playful
8. (9:49) darker and fuller.

—Reviewed by mandy (la chanteuse)

track name translations (from the French translations)
1. Girl from my country
2. How not to cry
3. The difficulty with love
4. Love has no cure
5. I am dying
6. Foolishly in love
7. Dying of love
8. My beloved, you have wounded me