Fayrouz, “Eh, fi amal (Yes, there is hope)” (Fayrouz Productions, 2010)
Reviewed by Abu Ramses – ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN

Fayrouz is the great Lebanese diva of modern Arabic music, rivaled only by Egypt’s (late) Umm Kulsum. Album contains her first new material since 2002 (1, 2, 5, 7). On some tracks the orchestra covers her voice more than her typical austere style. But at age 75, she’s allowed some slack. All slow to mid-tempo. Composed & arranged by her musical genius son, Ziad Rahbani.

Tracks

**1. “It’s being said” (our love isn’t right) - Oriental rhythm, smooth strings, mature voice – 4:42
2. “A very little story” – Jazzy syncopation. Not what you expect from her - 3:23
3. “All that talk” – Light, bit of chorus - 3:23
**4. “This blossom is big” (?)- Slow jazz. Trumpet intro. piano, drum, brass, upright bass. Big band sound - 6:00
***5. “God is great” – Slow, voice, trumpet piano, male chorus at end - 4:22
***6. “The land is yours” – Big voice. Lyrics: Gibran Kahlil Gibran poem - 2:09
***7. “I didn’t ask myself” (?) Oriental folk-style. Fayrouz and choral response - 3:04
**8. “Diyarbakir” (town in Turkey) – Jazz instrumental, piano, brass, solos - 3:24
9. “Beautiful Girl” - Jazz version of a Lebanese folk tune. Standard in her repertoire, but not my favorite rendition. – 3:02
***10. “Yes, there is hope” – ¾ love ballad, strings, & strong, clear voice – 4:16
11. “I write their names” – swing beat, brass, backup female chorus – 2:43
**12. “Tal al-Za’atar” - Memorial to a Palestinian refugee camp where Christian militias carried out a massacre during the Lebanese civil war. Instrumental, lots of brass; Live – 4:20