Min Sihr Ouyounak (The Magic Of Your Eyes) - Live Tribute To Sabah
Reviews
Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2013-04-18
Reviewed 2013-04-18
Rima Khcheich, Min Sihr Ouyounak (The Magic of Your Eyes) © Rima Khcheich
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Rima Khcheich’s 4th album, recorded live at the American University in Beirut, consists of covers of songs originally sung by the prolific Lebanese singer-actress Sabah (b. 1927) in films between 1953 and 1966. Songs by Egyptian composers (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10) are in Egyptian dialect. 1, 6, 9, 11 are pop songs in Lebanese dialect. Sabah, who remained popular into the 1970s was a notorious coquette with trademark long, thick hair, dyed blond like Marilyn Monroe. Khcheich’s voice with precise intonation & ornamentation dominates. Unlike her earlier work reflecting her classical training & attraction to jazz, she stays true to the form of Sabah’s original performances, though in her own style (more classical & sober with mawwal improvs) & warmer voice. Ensemble is mainly a traditional Arabic takht: Michel Khairallah, Tony Khalifeh, Mona Semaan, Anis Hawi (violins); Afif Merhej (oud); Imane Homsi (qanun); Samir Siblini (nay); Khaled Omran (double bass); Wassim Helou (tabla); Salman Baalbaki (riq); & 7 member choir.
Tracks
***1. Marhabtein (Two hellos) comp. Philemon Wehbe; up beat, tabla driven, nay solos, Lebanese pop style - 6:04
2. Rouh ‘ala Mahlak (Go slow) comp. Munir Mourad sweet, mid-tempo; qanun solo - 4:09
3. Ana Hina Ya ibn al-Halal (I’m here, worthy man) - comp. Muhammad al-Mugi; lyrics Salah Jahin; mid-tempo - 6:01
4. Ya Kawini Ya Ali - (My torturer, Ali) – comp. Farid el-Atrache; upbeat tabla & nay solos - 5:24
5. El-Ghawi (The man in love) comp. Muhammad al-Mugi; melodramatic, oud solo - 10:19
6. Rayha Abil Habibi (I’m off to meet my lover) - comp. Afif Radwan; Egyptian style with oud solo, violin breaks and ensemble riffs - 6:41
7. Habibit Oummaha (Her mother’s darling) comp. Farid el-Atrache; mid-tempo, classical-style qanun solo intro; then nay - 6:16
8. Min Sihr Ouyounak – composer Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab; slow a capella solo intro - 6:36
**9. El Samkeh (The fish) – comp. Munir Mourad – slow oud solo, ensemble riffs, vocal ornamentation - 5:31
***10. Ahibbak Yani (I love you) – comp. Farid al-Atrache; beautiful vocal ornamentation - 5:43
****11. Al Nadda (Oh Nadda) – comp. Rahbani brothers; Lebanese pop love ballad; incorporates a mawwal; nay solo - 4:50
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Rima Khcheich’s 4th album, recorded live at the American University in Beirut, consists of covers of songs originally sung by the prolific Lebanese singer-actress Sabah (b. 1927) in films between 1953 and 1966. Songs by Egyptian composers (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10) are in Egyptian dialect. 1, 6, 9, 11 are pop songs in Lebanese dialect. Sabah, who remained popular into the 1970s was a notorious coquette with trademark long, thick hair, dyed blond like Marilyn Monroe. Khcheich’s voice with precise intonation & ornamentation dominates. Unlike her earlier work reflecting her classical training & attraction to jazz, she stays true to the form of Sabah’s original performances, though in her own style (more classical & sober with mawwal improvs) & warmer voice. Ensemble is mainly a traditional Arabic takht: Michel Khairallah, Tony Khalifeh, Mona Semaan, Anis Hawi (violins); Afif Merhej (oud); Imane Homsi (qanun); Samir Siblini (nay); Khaled Omran (double bass); Wassim Helou (tabla); Salman Baalbaki (riq); & 7 member choir.
Tracks
***1. Marhabtein (Two hellos) comp. Philemon Wehbe; up beat, tabla driven, nay solos, Lebanese pop style - 6:04
2. Rouh ‘ala Mahlak (Go slow) comp. Munir Mourad sweet, mid-tempo; qanun solo - 4:09
3. Ana Hina Ya ibn al-Halal (I’m here, worthy man) - comp. Muhammad al-Mugi; lyrics Salah Jahin; mid-tempo - 6:01
4. Ya Kawini Ya Ali - (My torturer, Ali) – comp. Farid el-Atrache; upbeat tabla & nay solos - 5:24
5. El-Ghawi (The man in love) comp. Muhammad al-Mugi; melodramatic, oud solo - 10:19
6. Rayha Abil Habibi (I’m off to meet my lover) - comp. Afif Radwan; Egyptian style with oud solo, violin breaks and ensemble riffs - 6:41
7. Habibit Oummaha (Her mother’s darling) comp. Farid el-Atrache; mid-tempo, classical-style qanun solo intro; then nay - 6:16
8. Min Sihr Ouyounak – composer Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab; slow a capella solo intro - 6:36
**9. El Samkeh (The fish) – comp. Munir Mourad – slow oud solo, ensemble riffs, vocal ornamentation - 5:31
***10. Ahibbak Yani (I love you) – comp. Farid al-Atrache; beautiful vocal ornamentation - 5:43
****11. Al Nadda (Oh Nadda) – comp. Rahbani brothers; Lebanese pop love ballad; incorporates a mawwal; nay solo - 4:50
Recent airplay
An-Nadda (To Nadda - A Girl's Name)
Arabology — Jun 13, 2013
Ahibbak Yani (I Love You Yani)
Mediterraneans — Jun 13, 2013
An-Nadda (To Nadda - A Girl's Name)
Arabology — Jun 06, 2013
Marhabtein (Two Hellos), An-Nadda (To Nadda - A Girl's Name)
Mediterraneans — Jun 06, 2013
Habibit Oummaha (Her Mother’S Darling)
Mediterraneans — May 30, 2013
Marhabtein (Two Hellos)
Music Casserole — May 18, 2013
Charting
2013-04-14 — 2013-06-16
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jun 16 | 2 |
| Jun 9 | 2 |
| Jun 2 | 1 |
| May 19 | 2 |
| May 12 | 2 |
| May 5 | 2 |
| Apr 28 | 1 |
| Apr 21 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | Marhabtein (Two Hellos) | ||
| 2. | Rouh ?Ala Mahlak (Go Slow) | ||
| 3. | Ana Hina Ya Ibn Al-Halal (I?M Here, Worthy Man) | ||
| 4. | Ya Kawini Ya Ali - (My Torturer, Ali) | ||
| 5. | El-Ghawi (The Man In Love) | ||
| 6. | Rayha Abil Habibi (I?M Off To Meet My Lover) | ||
| 7. | Habibit Oummaha (Her Mother?S Darling) | ||
| 8. | Min Sihr Ouyounak (The Magic Of Your Eyes) | ||
| 9. | El Samkeh (The Fish) | ||
| 10. | Ahibbak Yani (I Love You Yani) | ||
| 11. | An-Nadda (To Nadda - A Girl's Name) |