Ramzi Salti's Arabology

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