Mike Massy Interviewed on March 21 'Arabology' Season Finale

The March 21 Winter Quarter Finale of 'Arabology' features a 4-part interview with Lebanese singer/musician Mike Massy (who is performing at the Merkin Concert Hall in NY on April 25) including his bio and songs.The second part showcases alternative Arabic music from the region.

To Download: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/67181

To Listen Instantly: http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E9.mp3

Or right click on link above to Save Link As

Playlist for Arabology Thurs, 21 March 2013 3- 5pm DJ: Ramzi S. (Artist/Track/Album/Label)

1. Mike Massy/Ya Zaman/Ya Zaman/Falak Productions

**2. Mike Massy Interview Part 1/ Arabology/ KZSU

3. Mike Massy/ Khalasna Ba'a/ Ya Zaman/ Falak Productions

**4. Mike Massy Interview Part 2/ Arabology/ KZSU

5. Mike Massy/ Ghayyer Lawn 3yonak/ Ya Zaman/ Falak Productions

**6. Mike Massy Interview Part 3/ Arabology/ KZSU

7. Mike Massy/ Tannoura Maxi/ Tannoura Maxi/ (Soundtrack)/ Massy

** 8. Mike Massy Interview Part 4/ Arabology/ KZSU

9. Mike Massy/ Nature Boy/ Single/ Massy

10. Jerusalem In My Heart/ Koll Lil-Mli7ati Fi Al-Khimar Al-Aswadi/ Mo7it Al-Mo7it/ Constellation Records

11. Rim Banna/ The Absent One/ Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion/ Kirkelig Kulturverksted

12. Jadal/ Fe Nabd Ana Has/ El Makina/ Mahmoud Radaideh

13. Donia Masoud/ Garhy/ Mahatet Masr/ Donia Masoud

14. Emel Mathlouthi/ Kelmti Horra/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network

15. Dam/ Been Around The World/ Debke On The Moon/ Nudbok Al Amar/ Dam

16. May Matar/ Metlak Mesh 3ayzin/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network

17. Egyptian Project/ Ya Amar/ Ya Amar/ Six Degrees Records

18. Ramzi Aburedwan/ Rahil/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network

19. Omeima El Khalil/ Ouhibbouka Akthar/ Ya/ Forward Music

To Download: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/67181

To Listen Instantly: http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E9.mp3

Writer of 'Arab Labor' TV Series Sayed Kashua + More on 3/14 Arabology Podcast

The March 14 episode of 'Arabology' features an interview with Israeli-born Palestinian writer/journalist Sayed Kashua (who writes the TV series 'Arab Labor' (Hebrew: עבודה ערבית‎, Avoda Aravit; Arabic: شغل عَرَب) and a conversation with Syrian activist Tareq Samman who discusses the state of the Syrian revolution today. In addition, show includes a shout-out by two Arabology fans (Reda and Severin) and an array of great alternative/revolutionary songs from the region.

To Listen: https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s4-episode-8

Arabology S4 Episode 8 [Arabic Music + Sayed Kashua Interview] by arabology

Playlist for Arabology Thurs 14 March 2013 3-5pm DJ: Ramzi S. (Artist/Track /Album/Label)
1. Jerusalem In My Heart/ Koll Lil-Mli7ati Fi Al-Khimar Al-Aswadi/ Mo7it Al-Mo7it/ Constellation Records
2. Ramzi Aburedwan/ Rahil (Exile)/ Reflections Of Palestine/ Riverboat Records
3. Ahmad Al Khatib/ Exode II Canaan/ Sabil/ Institut Du Monde Arabe
*4. Interview with Moroccan fan of the show Reda Mouhid/ Arabology/ KZSU
5. Dam (ft Rachid Taha)/ Been Around The World/ Debke On The Moon/ Dam
**6. Interview with Sayed Kashua Part 1/ Arabology/ KZSU
7. Rim Banna/ My Heart Tells Me/ Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion/ Kirkelig Kulturverksted
**8. Interview with Sayed Kashua Part 2/ Arabology/ KZSU
9. The Toure-Raichel Collective/ Al Houde Bakoi The Tel Aviv Session/ The Cumbancha
**10. Interview with Sayed Kashua Part 3/ Arabology/ KZSU
11. Dam/ Ngh'ayer Bukra/ Ihda'/ Redcircle Music
12. Emel Mathlouthi/ Kelmti Horra/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network
13. Jadal/ Ana Bakhaf Min El Commitment/ El Makina/ Mahmoud Radaideh
14. Donia Masoud/ Nena El Gnena / Mahatet Masr/ Donia Masoud
15. Ramy Essam/ Dabora W Short/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network
***16. Interview with Syrian activist Tareq Al-Samman/ Arabology/ KZSU
17. , Samih Shuqair/ Ya Haif/ Single/ Shuqair

Arabology S4 Episode 8 [Arabic Music + Sayed Kashua Interview] by arabology

Gene Band Remakes Classic Song 'Ya Waladi'

On their 2008 self-titled CD, Syria's Gene Band remade an old classic made popular by Sheikh Emam about a tortured father speaking to his son.  Here is the band's version plus lyrics in Arabic and, finally, the original version by Sheikh Eman.

Gene Band: Ya Waldi http://youtu.be/sAO7e9nn6G8

لا تبكي يا ولدي فأحزان الصغر 

تمضي كالحلم مع الفجر 

و قريبا تكبر يا ولدي 

و تريد الدمع فلا يجري 

يا ولدي يا ولدي 

إن سهرت أمطار معنا 

أو غطى البرد شوارعنا 

فالدفء يعمّر أضلعنا 

ولهيب الأرض بنا يسري 

يا ولدي يا ولدي 

فإذا بحت لك أغنية 

أو أنّت قدم حافية 

فشموس رفاقك أتية 

و ستشرق بالغضب الفقر 

يا ولدي يا ولدي 

قد أرمى خلف الجدران 

و تحن لحبي و حناني 

فانظر في قلبك ستراني 

لن يقوى القيد على الفكر 

يا ولدي يا ولدي 

سأضمك و الصدر جريح و 

سأعشق القلب ذبيح 

مهما عصفت ضدي الريح 

لن أحني في يوم ظهري 

فإذا ما الدهر بنا دار 

و مضيت إلى حيث أوارى 

أكمل من بعدي المشوار 

لا تخلف ميعاد الفجر 

يا ولدييا ولدي 

لن يسقي دمع أشجارك 

لن تبني بالآه جدارك 

فاصرخ في الخوف إذا زارك 

لا تخشى النار من الجمر 

يا ولدي يا ولدي

Sheikh Emam: Ya Waldi الشيخ امام يا ولدي http://youtu.be/a8nkmpJ8cfY

If you liked Gene's version, then check out their CD (pictured below) or go to http://www.geneband.org/

Track List:
1. Ya Waladi ياولدي
2. Hona l Sham هنا الشام
3. DNA
4. Iza Feek Tsoo’ اذا فيك تسوؤ
5. Time وقت
6. Ala’ssifa (Ya Mahla l Fos’ha) (العاصفة(يامحلا الفسحة
7. Twattor A’li توتر عالي
8. Kawni B’eed كوني بعيد
9. Sarab سراب

My CD Review: Jerusalem In My Heart: Mo7it Al-Mo7it (2013)

JIMY: Mo7it Al-Mo7it CD Cover

--All Tracks are FCC CLEAN—

Jerusalem In My Heart, or JIMH, is the musical alias of Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, a Lebanese musician from Quebec where he has made a name for himself within the independent music scene of that city. Moumneh is known for mixing a love for music “with 16mm film projections and light-based (de)constructions of space.” His debut album Mo7it Al-Mo7 [Circumference of the Ocean] is set to be released on March 19 by Constellation Records and it marks the first official time that he has tried to translate his highly visual live show to a studio recording.

**1. Koll Lil-Mali7ati Fi Al-Khimar Al-Aswadi [Tell the Woman in Black] : Old classic made popular in 1973 by Sabah Fakhri set to new style, chanting of well known verses in Arabic music. (2:55)

2. 3andalib Al-Furat [Nightingale of the Euphrates]: Ambient, bird sounds, calm instrumental with Oud sound prevalent. (9:47)

3. Yudaghdegh El-Ra3ey Walal-Ghanam [The Sheppard and the Sheep] Haunting tune with witty lyrics about glorifying the Sheppard instead of the sheep. (3:22)

4. 3anzah Jarbanah [A Sick Goat] Title literally means ‘A Goat with Scabies.’ Mesmwing tune with mixed incomprehensible vocals, like a dubbed choir song. (6:34)

5. Dam3et El-3ein [Teardrop] Instrumental showcasing the sitar sound. (5:10)

6. Ko7l El-3ein, 3emian El-3ein [Mascara on a Blind Eye] Instrumental, slow and captivating. (3:56)

**7. Amanem [Lamentation] Begins with the traditional ‘Aman’ lamentation then includes chants in Arabic that sound like a Muslim prayer. (8:53)

**My faves: 1 and 7

AUDIO CLIP "JERUSALEM IN MY HEART - Koll Lil-Mali7ati Fi Al-Khimar Al-Aswadi"
(https://soundcloud.com/constellation-records/koll-lil-mali7ati-fi-al-khimar)

Jerusalem In My Heart CD Launch on March 19, 2013

Image courstesy of jerusaleminmyheart.com

Jerusalem In My Heart (JIMH) is a project of contemporary Arabic and electronic music interwoven with 16mm film projections and light-based (de)constructions of space, exploring a relationship between music, visuals, projections and audience. With performances thus far occurring once or twice a year, no two JIMH events have ever been the same: configurations have ranged from solo to 35 participants, with varying degrees of stage theatrics alongside a film & visual component, using multiple projections to construct a space in constant flux. JIMH's vocals and purposefully blown-out sonic sensibility have been the consistent thread, but neither its music nor visual propositions have ever repeated themselves – one of the reasons why JIMH has resisted for eight years any official documentation or definitive recording of the project. 

JIMH was formed in 2005 by Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, a Lebanese national who has spent a large part of his adult life in Quebec and has been a fixture of the Montreal independent music community, from his early days in various notable 90s punk bands to his tireless activities over the last decade as a sound engineer, producer and co-owner of Montreal’s Hotel2Tango recording studio. Moumneh is also active in the Beirut experimental music scene, where he spends a few months every year. JIMH now consists of a core trio with French musician & producer Jérémie Regnier and Chilean visual artist & filmmaker Malena Szlam Salazar, whose two-year collaboration with Moumneh has resulted in the co-creation of JIMH’s debut album Mo7it Al-Mo7it.

JIMH forges a modern experimental Arabic music by wedding melismatic singing in classic Arabic styles and electronic compositions with contemporary electronic production. The album equally emphasizes the intimacy and narrative pace that focused, intentional studio recording allows. The result is a unique and profoundly emotive album of contemporary Arabic music, a stunningly subtle first record for a project that resisted documentation or any sort of fixity for so many years. Moumneh's voice has become a powerfully authentic instrument, and his production techniques applying distortion, tape echos and delays to varying degrees transmit a timeless intensity to the recording. Saturated synths and the overdriven signals of Moumneh's acoustic buzuk and zurna reinforce the reigning sensibility, providing a bracing counterpoint to the vocals and lovely, searching instrumental narratives in their own right. Szlam’s work was the source material for the album’s visual aesthetic. Szlam’s visual creation for the album derives from sequences that echo lunar notions and photographic intervals that reverberate and resonate, evoking the oscillation of time. Using frames from various hand-processed 16mm filmstrips, Szlam created a lunar sequence that consitutes the album cover artwork.

Inspired by the Lebanese educator Boutros Al-Bustani’s book Circumference of the Ocean, Mo7it Al-Mo7it signifies, in JIMH’s open and poetic interpretation, “Ocean of the Ocean.” The numeral 7 is pronounced like an h; all titles on the album are rendered in contemporary colloquial “mobile” Arabic (the transliterative characters used in Arabic phone texting).

Info above taken from http://cstrecords.com/cst093/

For more info:  http://jerusaleminmyheart.com

Free audio sample: http://soundcloud.com/constellation-records/yudaghdegh-el-ra3ey-walal/s-Hj67c

VIDEO PERFORMANCE by JIMH (https://vimeo.com/49087776)
Jerusalem in My Heart at MAI from Villa Villa Nola on Vimeo.



AUDIO CLIP "JERUSALEM IN MY HEART - Koll Lil-Mali7ati Fi Al-Khimar Al-Aswadi"
(https://soundcloud.com/constellation-records/koll-lil-mali7ati-fi-al-khimar)

CD ALBUM LAUNCH ON MARCH 19, 2013 @THE NATIONAL (MONTREAL)

Purchase the CD (or vinyl) at http://cstrecords.com/store/categories/JERUSALEM-IN-MY-HEART/

ALL CD AND LP PURCHASES INCLUDE AN MP3 FILE OF THE ALBUM

Jerusalem in My Heart’s Mo7it Al-Mo7it is out March 19 on Constellation Records.
• Jerusalem in My Heart: http://jerusaleminmyheart.com
• Constellation Records: http://cstrecords.com

For info see http://jerusaleminmyheart.com

Tania Kassis Live at Forum de Beyrouth, Lebanon (April 12, 2013)

After her big success at l'OLYMPIA in Paris and a wonderful Christmas concert at the Lebanese Presidential Palace, TANIA KASSIS will present on Friday April 12 2013 a unique concert at the Forum de Beyrouth.

On the eve of April 13 TANIA KASSIS' concert will be a mirror-image of the concert offered in Paris, at the Olympia Hall, on October 19, 2012.  She will be sharing the stage with Jhony Maalouf (who became popular in Europe through "The Voice" TV program on French TV) for some memorable duets.

"Tania Kassis live at l'Olympia" new CD/DVD will be released after the concert.

Tickets are now on sale at Virgin Megastore (Lebanon) and online: http://www.ticketingboxoffice.com/tania-kassis-tickets/event/6502.  Hotline (in Lebanon): 76-862865

March 7 Arabology Podcast ft Alexander Key and Weyam Ghadbian

The March 7, 2013 episode of 'Arabology' features an interview with Alexander Key, Assistant Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature at Stanford, who discusses Arabic poetry (in English) while eloquently reciting poems by Al-Mutanabi and Amal Donkol in Arabic.
Show also includes interview with Weyam Ghadbian, the Cultural Program Director at the Arab Cultural and Community Center in San Francisco, who discusses the 6th Annual Bay Area Arab Women's Conference which is taking place on March 16, 2013.
Plus music by Said Mrad, Aly Talibab, Kamel Badarneh, Rim Banna, Aswat, Ramy Essam, Elizabeth Ayoub and the Lebanese band Doors To Aspiration (DTA).

To Download: 

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/66827

To Instantly Listen:

http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E7.mp3

To Download: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/66827

To Instantly Listen: http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E7.mp3

Lebanese Film: Ossit Sawani [Blind Intersections] in Lebanese Theaters Now

Ossit Sawani [Blind Intersections] is a Lebanese movie currently playing in theatres in Lebanon.  It is directed by Lara Saba and produced by Dream Box Production.  

THE PLOT:

Three protagonists, one city… Coming from different backgrounds, they pass each other but they never meet, though, the effect of one incident will drastically alter the lives of the three of them!

Nour loses her parents in a car accident. All her life collapses…
India has everything a woman can dream of except for a baby…
Marwan is 12 year old, he lives with a violent and alcoholic mother.

Three characters, caught at a moment when their lives fell over, in just a matter of seconds… knocked down by a chain of others' actions/reactions…

Here is the film trailer (http://youtu.be/5GzAnGW7rwk)



Directed By Lara Saba
Screenplay By Nibal Arakji
Produced By Dream Box Production

For info: https://www.facebook.com/OssitSawani.movie

Short Film: 'Beirut, My Heart' by Sabah Haider

Beirut, My Heart | بيروت قلبي is a gem of short film directed by Sabah Haider exploring, among other things, the effects of a breakup on a young woman in Beirut. Beautifully written and filmed, the film accomplishes a lot in its 9 minute duration.  The film stars Cynthia Kozah, with Carmen Lebbos and Makram Halabi.

You can view the film for free (Arabic with English subtitles) at http://www.yallatv.me/media/films/personal-thriumph/short/beirut-my-heart.aspx

Beirut, My Heart presents a deeply personal narrative told eloquently and sincerely. Edited by the talented Bettina Waked, the film also features the work of numerous Lebanese artists, including poet Saseen Kawzally, calligrapher Ayman Jaber, an original music score by musician John-Paul Jalwan, and the extraordinary voice of a young man from the suburbs of Beirut. Art direction and wardrobe were created by Olga Habre.

Beirut, My Heart was written, produced, and finished post-production entirely in Beirut, Lebanon. The film was completed in July 2011.

Here is the trailer of the film (http://youtu.be/gJMQlOiY4H4):

The running time of the film is: 09:22 mins.

Writer/Director: Sabah Haider
Producers: Bettina Waked and Sabah Haider
Cinematography: Tony H. Koury and Charbel Chamoun
Editor: Bettina Waked
Original Music Score: Jean-Paul Jalwan
Art Director: Olga Habre
Production Manager: Yehya Fidawi
Post Production: Consolidated Creative Productions

For info click here.

Also check out Sabah Haider's other short film titled 'Abu Rami' at http://www.aburamithefilm.com/

WATCH 'Beirut My Heart' ONLINE NOW!
You can watch this film online now at http://www.yallatv.me/media/films/personal-thriumph/short/beirut-my-heart.aspx.  With thanks to Director Sabah Haider for making this film available for audiences worldwide.

'Promises' Documentary Available for Free Viewing Online Now

The critically acclaimed documentary Promises (2001) is now available online for free viewing.  Go to http://youtu.be/xLKaKk036hY or watch below:

Promises presents a powerful portrait of seven Palestinian and Israeli children who live in and around Jerusalem. As filmmaker B.Z. Goldberg, who was raised in Israel, notes, "They live no more than 20 minutes from each other, but they are each growing up in very separate worlds."  The children include Mahmoud, Shlomo, Sanabel, Faraj, Moishe, and twins Yarko and Daniel.

With the exception of the latter, all are religious (the twins are the grandchildren of a Holocaust survivor). Most have strong political beliefs and have seen their share of tragedy – Faraj’s friend was killed in front of him–but as the film makes clear, they’re also kids.

They like to watch TV, hold burping contests, and compete in sports (Faraj is a runner, Yarko and Daniel play volleyball). Promises doesn’t attempt to explain them, but lets the kids speak for themselves. The results are funny, sad, and ultimately quite profound.

If you believe in your heart that, despite every hurdle, peace is possible between the Israelis and Palestinians, this film will fill you with hope and wonder. That’s not to say it’s rosy – the children depicted in the film often exhibit anger and intolerance, but the mere act of recognition between the children of these two warring groups is enough to inspire faith in their futures. This film is a beautiful document of a precious, brave and tenuous experiment on the part of the filmmakers. May we all have the courage to try to guide the next generation into a more peaceful, more understanding world.

Safa Samiezadé-Yazd Guests on Feb 28, 2013 'Arabology' Podcast

The Feb 28, 2013 'Arabology' podcast aired on Feb 28, 2013 and features an interview with Safa Samiezadé-Yazd who is the Arts, Culture, Music and Film Editor at AslanMedia.com and whose work focuses on contemporary art/performance and the Middle East. In this interview, she discusses issues ranging from Iranian American identity to her involvement in curating the first festival of Iranian theater ever to be presented in the USA.

Download the podcast at http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/66674 

or 

Listen Instantly at http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E6.mp3

Playlist for Arabology Thurs 28 Feb 2013 3-5pm DJ: Ramzi S. (Artist/Track/Album/Label)

1. May Matar/ Metlak Mesh 3ayzin/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network
2. Donia Masoud/ Mesh Eb Aleky/ Mahatet Masr/ Donia Masoud
**3. Interview with Safa Samiezade/ Part 1/Arabology/ KZSU
4. Ramzi Aburedwan/ Rahil/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network
**5. Interview with Safa Samiezade/ Part 2/ Arabology/ KZSU
6. Rim Banna/ The Absent One/ Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion/ Kirkelig Kulturverksted
**7. Interview with Safa Samiezade/ Part 3/ Arabology/ KZSU
8. Ali Akbar Moradi/ Goblet Of Wine/ Goblet Of Eternal Light/ Traditional Crossroads
9. Soapkills/ Marra Fi Ghnina (Soapkills Remix)/ Soapkills Remix/ Zeid Hamdan
10. Jadal/ Zad El Sheib/ El Makina/ Mahmoud Radaideh
11. Ramy Essam/ Al-Masry Al-Asly/ Rough Guide Arabic Revolution/ World Music Network
12. Toufic Farroukh/ Storyboard/ Cinema Beirut/ Emja Records
13. Kamilya Jubran/ Bahib El bahr/ wameed/ Unit Records

Download the podcast at http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/66674 

or 

Listen Instantly at http://www.radio4all.net/files/author30@gmail.com/4294-1-Arabology_S4E6.mp3