Ramzi Salti's Arabology

Here is a countdown of the Top 20 Arabic Songs of the Year according to an unofficial poll of/by Stanford University students, faculty and staff.  The songs listed below begin with number 20 and end with number 1.

This radio show originally aired live on Thursday November 25, 2010 (Thanksgiving Day) on KZSU 90.1 FM.  Throughout the show, I played the Top 20 Arabic Songs of the Year according to poll of/by Stanford University students. Click on link below to listen/download the show http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/47573

The lyrics to "اومن" (I Believe) in Arabic (see below) were loosely translated from the MLK speech by the Rahabni Brothers in 1964 Listen to the song below or here while reading the lyrics in Arabic below (followed by the English excerpts from the original MLK speech for those who don't read Arabic) اومن أن خلف الحبات الوادعات تزهو جنات. اومن أن خلف الليل العاتي الأمواج يعلو سراج. اومن أن القلب الملقى في الأحزان يلقى الحنان ... كلي إيمان... اومن أن خلف الريح الهوجاء شفاه تتلو الصلاة. اومن أن في صمت الكون المقفل مَن يصغي لي... أني إذ ترنو عيناي للسماء تصفو الأضواء، تعلو الألحان ... كلي إيمان "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. I believe that even amid today's mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the alta

Egyptian superstar Tamer Hosny recently rocked the house (casbah, bayt, etc.) with his live rendition of the Eagles' hit "Hotel California."   The singer performed the track during his recent Marina 2010 Concert in Egypt.

Egyptian Pop superstar Amr Diab--whose career in music spans well over 2 decades--will be performing in Las Vegas this Saturday, October 16 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm MGM Grand Garden Arena - Las Vegas 3799 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV Amr Diab will be performing on October 16th in MGM Arena, Las Vegas. Stay tuned on the official website for more info and how to win tickets to the concert Get your tickets online: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Amr-Diab-tickets/artist/1006127 -----------------------------http://amrdiab.net

Arabic TV Report on Fans and Celebrities Who Attended Fairuz's Concert. Among those in attendance was Egyptian actor Adel Imam, singer Marwan Khoury, Najwa Karam, and actress Ahlam. Watch below or click here to watch.

Fairuz's new album, titled ايه في أمل has just been released, one day after her trimphal return to the stage this week where the 75 year old singer sang to sold out audiences at the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center for two consecutive nights. 

Here are some brand new pictures of legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz, taken during her sold our two-night concerts in Beirut (October 6 and 7, 2010).  The 75 year old singer sang to sold out audiences at the  Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center  for two consecutive nights and performed several new songs from her upcoming new CD which is due out in stores this week.

The long awaited new album by Algerian singer Souad Massi will be officially released on November 8th this year.  The first single off the album is titled "Houria" (Freedom) and can be previewed for free on Souad's official web page at www.souadmassi.net Here is the CD cover and the list of tracks:

Excerpt taken from  http://elefteriades.com/tania.asp Tania Saleh resurrects modern Arabic music with her amazing vocals and talent Excerpt taken from  http://elefteriades.com/tania.asp Tania Saleh is a young author composer interpreter, graduated from the "Sorbonne" in Paris, who dares to broach subjects never treated before in the Arabic song. One of her very first song (Aalamiyyeh) deals with "globalization " and was selected by RFI to be included in its compilation "Arabesque". . We find in her texts a little bit of cynicism, a lot of black humor with a caustic bend, a definite talent for writing and a style recognizable among thousands. Usually, beautiful texts are served by a simple melody and simple harmonization. It is not the case with Tania Saleh. The musical arrangements are sophisticated: the riffs of the rock guitar, the riq, the groovy bass are in a perfect dialogue with the kanoun, the oud and the acoustic guitar. An old Rhodes and

www.taniakassis.com Tania Kassis started her first singing lessons at the age of 16, and gave her first solo opera concert at 17. The next year, she interpreted Cosette in the Musical « Les Misérables » at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut. In July 2001, she is chosen to represent Lebanon in the Fourth Francophone Games (les IVème Jeux de la Francophonie) in Ottawa-Hull (Canada), where the local press said: "cette sirène du pays des cèdres qui a embrasé son public qui lui a réservé une ovation debout" (Journal Le Droit). This participation had such a success that she was granted the Medal of the town of Ottawa-Hull, the Lebanese Achievement Medaland anExcellency Certificat by « The Canadian Lebanese Professional and Business Association of Ottawa ». In 2003, she enters the Paris Conservatory in the class of Mr Pierre Catala, qualified by the Julliard School of New York. During this period, she discovers the Musicals and she gives a concert « Special Musicals » at the conservat

If you missed my latest guest spot on KZSU 90.1 FM   you can now download/listen to the podcast (for free) at   http://tinyurl.com/25boqsh My Playlist: Artist Track Artist Track Album/Label Fairuz Rah Nebqa Sawa Maarifti Feek EMI Arabia Tamer Hosni Fairuz Abeer Nehme Shayif el Bahr Tania Kassis Ounchoudat Bayrout Oriental Colors Magnum Records Adam Nordén A Prayer Zozo Soundtrack Warner Brothers Records Tania Saleh Slow Down Zeid & The Wings Castles of Sand Zeid & The Wings Lebanese Underground Fairuz Ughniyat al Wadaa Kifak Inta EMI Arabia

Marhaba everyone! My next radio guest spot on Stanford's KZSU 90.1 FM's "Lunch Special" Show is scheduled for Monday October 4th from Noon - 1 PM. It will air live on KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM and stream live at http://kzsulive.stanford.edu This time around, I am planning a special tribute to Fairuz (who, at age 75, is releasing a brand new album) and I will be premiering brand new tracks from some of the Arab world's most promising new talents--from Tania Kassis (aka La Soprano du Liban) and Zeid Hamdan (former member of the ultra hip band Soapkills) to Egyptian superstar Tamer Hosny and Tania Saleh (whose vocals and musical arrangements have to be heard to be believed). These budding musicians will blow you away with the innovative, fresh and extremely addicting music that they have been releasing--songs that combine Eastern rhythms with Western influences and sung in both English and in Arabic. If you would like to listen to some of my earlier podcasts on KZS

Legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz (also spelled Fairouz or Fayrouz) in Concert on 7 and 8 October 2010 at BIEL (Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center). Tickets will be available starting Saturday 18 September 2010 at Virgin Megastore Ticketing Box Office. The tickets are selling fast, as reported in this report from Arabic TV which shows the fans who waited in line for hours--even days--to get tickets. News report in Arabic features highlights from Fairuz's concert at BIEL:

Egypt or Lebanon? Cairo or Beirut? Which location has contributed more to the world in terms of culture and history? In this duet, Egyptian singer Amina argues that Egypt, the Pharoahs, The Pyramids, Om Kulthum, and Abdel Halim Hafez prove that Cairo reigns supreme while Lebanese singer Hesham El Haj attempts to highlight Lebanon's culture and history by highlighting the Phoenicians, Baalbeck, and Fairuz's music. The result of this humorous cultural standoff between Amina and Hesham? Watch the video clip to find out :)

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/07/30/128877303/how-a-royalty-dispute-may-silence-lebanese-star-fairouz Royalty Dispute May Silence Fairouz by JACOB GANZ July 30, 2010 The Lebanese singer Fairouz is the focus of protests around the world since a court in Beirut banned her from performing one of her signature songs last month due to a dispute over royalties. She was set to perform the song "Ya'ish Ya'ish" at the Casino du Liban until the children of her late husband's brother stepped in. Ian Black of the Guardian explains the dispute : Many of Fairouz's works were co-written and composed by her late husband Assi al-Rahbani and his brother Mansour. When Mansour died, his children filed a suit against Fairouz, triggering a court order stopping her performing material that involved his contribution. Mansour and Assi are popularly known as the Rahbani Brothers. Fairouz, which means "turquoise" in Arabic, is the stage name of Nihad Haddad

Read original article at: http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/celebrity-gossip/fairouz-banned-from-performing-ever-2010-07-25-1.270521 Fairouz banned from performing – ever Is this the end of the Arabic music legend’s career? By Rachel McArthur Published Sunday, July 25, 2010 Fairouz has reportedly been banned from performing in Lebanon and abroad – leaving the Lebanese singer’s professional career in jeopardy. However, the news has outraged the Arab entertainment world, with many publicly supporting the star in what they are calling an “unfair” decision. According to numerous Arabic media reports, the world-renowned superstar has been prevented from performing thanks to a lawsuit filed by Osama and Marwan Rahbani – sons of the late composer Mansour Rahbani – who worked with Fairouz. They claim that the singer owes the brothers – who are heirs to Mansour – royalties from previous performances of material owned by Mansour. The legendary performer’s career kicked off in the 195

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128668709 \ NPR (National Public Radio) web site features a great article on Mashrou3 Leila (Lebanon's hippest band) and other summer music from Beirut.   The Spin: Beirut's Jam Is Mashrou' Leila's 'Embembelela7' by  NPR STAFF Tanya TaraboulsiMashrou' Leila's "Embembelela7" borrows its main lyric from a Lebanese nursery rhyme and sets it to a harsh drumbeat. July 21, 2010 Summer deserves its own soundtrack — for the beach, for warm nights and for the road. But don't worry if your travel budget is tight: This summer,  All Things Considered  and NPR Music will take you on a global journey through music. We're checking in on DJs, musicians and writers for the songs that define summer in some of the world's most vibrant cities. We're calling it  The Spin. When it comes to summer in the Arab world, no city does it better than Beirut. It's often called the Paris of the Mi

8 Days left to submit your video! Queen Rania of Jordan is offering this amazing opportunity to anyone who has not visited Jordan yet: Win a trip 2 Jordan & Abroad http://www.twitvid.com/queenrania Message from Queen Rania: Be part of Queen Rania's Tourist Swap: 2 people from Jordan will swap locations with 2 tourists for 1 week. How? Well, if you’ve never been to Jordan, we'll pay for you and a friend to come and visit the country. If you live in Jordan, we’ll swap you and a friend (temporarily!) with the other winners and take you on a tour of their country. It’s cross-cultural dialogue with air miles!

Fairuz Protests (source:  http://www.fanoos.com/reports/fairuz_protests.html ) On the 26th of July 2010, Hundreds of Fairuz fans from around the world protested in front of the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut. The Committee for commemoration of Fairuz and the Rahbani brothers, stood in solidarity with Fairuz, they had one message to say "No to preventing Fairouz singing" . Loudspeakers blared songs and excerpts of plays for Fairuz, in the presence of a number of artists such as Elham Shahin who flew from Cairo to take part in this protest. According to Shahin, Fairuz is one of the Legendary singers who gave a lot to the Arab world. Other artists were present as well such as Julia Boutros , Liliane Nemri , Roula Hamadeh , Asaad Abou Khalil, Claudia Marchillian, Nidal Al Ahmadieh , Roula Saad and a lot of media presence, as well as local and foreign enthusiasts of Fairuz. The demonstrators waved pictures of Fairuz in black and white, and distributed the stateme

These banners are but a few of the many samples that are being used at various rallies all over the Arab world in support of Fairuz and her right to perform her musicals without any legal obstacles.  This movement of support includes peaceful marches, get-togethers at various coffee houses to listen to Fairuz songs, and dozens of Facebook Pages in support of the legendary Lebanese singer.

Egyptian pop icon Tamer Hosni just released a new single titled "Fairuz" in support of the legendary Lebanese songstress who has recently been prohibited from performing her musicals by a court ruling that was brought about by the heirs of Mansour Rahbani, Fairuz's late brother-in-law, who co-wrote many of these musicals. Hosni's song is being played on Lebanese radio stations on an hourly basis. Listen to Tamer Hosni's song below then read along the heartfelt lyrics (in Arabic) or scroll down for a loose English translation. مين عاش فى الدنيا دي إنسان.. محبش على صوت لبنان صوت الحب صوت السلام.. يا حبيبتي يا صوت السلام صوتك يا أغلى من الكنوز.. ياحبيبة قلبي يا فيروز ما فينا نعيش بلا صوتك.. واسألي كده كل الأوطان كلنا اتربينا على صوتك الحلو يا غالية.. واتعلمنا وغنينا من إحساسك يا مالية علينا الدنيا بغناكي يا فيروز ده كلنا وياك.  من مصر بقولك مقدرش أعيش من غير صوتك يا حياتي Has there ever been a human in this world Who hasn't fallen in love to the Voice

Dr. Ramzi Salti on KZSU (May 31, 2010) In his third guest spot on KZSU FM, Dr. Salti discusses new contemporary and ultra hip music from the Arab world while playing the latest tunes for Western listeners. Click on arrow below to hear the Podcast Click on image above to enlarge Dr. Ramzi Salti on KZSU (May 31, 2010) Podcast also available at: http://www.radio4all.net/files/blues@kzsu.stanford.edu/4055-1-kzsu-ls-prof-ramzi-salti-31-may-2010.mp3

Ramzi Salti on KZSU (Stanford University's Radio Station) Guest Spot on "The Lunch Special" on Monday April 26, 2010 Click on image below, then click on arrow at bottom right of that web page.\ Or click below: http://radio4all.net/responder.php/download/42258/47740/63672/?url=http://www.radio4all.net/files/blues@kzsu.stanford.edu/4055-1-kzsu-ls-prof-ramzi-salti-26-apr-2010.mp3

Ramzi Salti on KZSU (Stanford University's Radio Station) Guest Spot on "The Lunch Special" on Monday January 25, 2010 Click on arrow below and please allow a few minutes to connect and stream