Belly Dance! The Best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra

Artist: George Abdo
Label: Smithsonian Folkways
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 093074045824
EAN: 0093074045824
ASIN: B0000658MR

Release Date: 2002-05-21

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Tracks:

Ya Gameel
Ruh Tum Bi Salama
Ta Mavra Matia Sou
Raks Araby
Hadouni, Hadouni
Allah, Ya Lubnan
Raks Averof
Raks Mustapha
Min Feegis
Raks El-Malek
Sahirrnee
Noora Ya Noora
O Paliatzis
Dio Cardias
Imm Al-Manadili

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Customer Reviews:

King of bellydance!.......2006-08-15

I had all George Abdo's albums in the '70s when I first learned to do Oriental dance and was delighted to find this dvd....his rhythms are geared to the western ear and there is enough variety for most dancers.

The Ultimate Belly-Dancing Music.......2006-06-20

My personal love affair with Middle Eastern music began with the music of George Abdo, and some of his songs, such as "Hadouni, Hadouni" and "Raks Mustapha," are among my absolute favorite world music compositions. This particular compilation issued by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings contains some of George Abdo's greatest hits and can serve as an excellent introduction to the music of Belly-Dance and Middle Eastern music in general.

It's hard to imagine that just a few decades ago Middle Eastern culture was considered hip and fashionable in the United States. After decades of political turmoil, years of Intifada, rise of fundamentalist Islamic terrorism, and overwhelming anti-Arabic propaganda that dominated American movie and TV screens since the late 70s, the Middle Eastern culture is anything but hip. However that was not the case in the 60s and 70s decades of the 20th century - time when Middle East was considered exotic and yes - hip. During that time, dozens of Middle Eastern restaurants and night clubs prospered and American public embraced the exotic Middle Eastern culture.

Many of cultures are divided in their homeland by animosity caused by differences in religion, centuries of warfare, and mutual genocides. However once removed from native soil immigrants from Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Jordan, Israel, and other Middle-Eastern countries quickly discovered that despite their differences, they shared common cultural background manifested in similar culture, cuisine, music, and dance. This common cultural background once transplanted onto American soil gave rise to a fascinating musical genre - not quite Middle Eastern in the traditional sense, and yet not completely Americanized. Eddie Kochak, one of the prominent figures of this musical scene called this unusual genre Ameraba - American Arabic Music. However, even this term is too restrictive - this music can be equally claimed by a variety of ethnicities, and this fact made it truly American, in the "melting-pot" kind of sense. For convenience, we could call it Belly-dance music. Belly-dancing was exceedingly popular, and Anglo-Saxon house-wives engaged in belly-dancing routines were more common than authentic Middle Eastern belly-dancers. Places like Club Zara and Averof Restaurant quickly became the centers of the belly-dancing sub-culture, catering Pan-Middle-Eastern culture, décor, cuisine, dance, and of course music to Americans and immigrants alike. And George Abdo was the undisputed king of the Belly-Dancing scene.

George Abdo and his multi-ethnic Flames of Araby Orchestra, created some of the most beautiful musical compositions, generously spiced with virtuoso improvisations on various acoustic instruments, traditional Middle Eastern melodies, authentic compositions, and occasional touches of guitars, violins, or keyboards. His music cannot be considered truly traditional; however George Abdo's belly-dance routines are predominantly acoustic and lack the drum-machine and keyboard sound that dominates the modern Middle Eastern pop music. Being neither traditional nor modern his music belongs in the smoked up Middle Eastern restaurants of the 60s and 70s. It is best enjoyed with grape leaf mezzas, lamb kebobs, occasional shot of anise vodka, dabkah line-dancing, and of course - a belly-dancer.

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The perfect foundation for a new dancer's collection.......2006-03-17

If you're starting to learn belly dance, this is a perfect album to buy for use in practice and performance. The variety of cultures represented in the music, as well as the variety of song styles, is a perfect introduction to the wide range of music associated with belly dance. Buy this, dance to every song, and you'll be well on your way to preparing for any song a band could throw at you. It's impossible to sit still while listening to Abdo--he'll drag the dance out of you whether you want it or not, and you'll find yourself smiling and wishing for an audience, some sequins, and a pair of harem pants. Shimmy shimmy.

World Class Music: Creative, Mysterious, Exotic , Alluring.......2004-06-10

My discovery of George Abdo and the Flames of Araby Orchestra dates back to 1973 when I bought the 33 1/3 vinyl record, "The Best of Belly Dance" produced by Monitor Records. A girlfriend was learning 'belly dance' and needed a partner for practice, I joined her in this adventure. One can guess, it received a lot of playing time! I am so pleased to discover this Smithsonian Folkways Recording which is a masterpiece. It is a valuable collection of tsiftetelli (belly dance) music from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia, Greece and Turkey, along with impressive jazz stylizations of the highest caliber. This CD is filled with world class music that is sensuos, alluring, mysterious ... excitng ... provocative and enticing.

The creativity and artistic talents of these fine musicians is demonstrated on both traditional and modern instruments. One can hear the oud (Middle Eastern lute), qanun (similar to hammered dulcimer or zither), darbukha (type of drum), and bouzouki (Greek lute-like instrument) along with modern instruments, the piano, guitar, bass and drums. For me, the Middle Eastern rhythms played on the violin adds an unexpected and magical sound to complete this musical experience. Favorite tracks on this CD are:"Raks Araby" (Arabic Dance), "Hadouni Hadouni", "Sahirrne" (Bewitched), "Raks Mustapha" (Mustapha's Dance), "Noora Ya Norra", and "Dio Cardia" (Two Hearts). Listening to 75 minutes of this Middle Eastern musical feast, I understand why George Abdo is known as "the King of Belly Dance Music". Most highly recommended. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

classical happy music.......2004-04-29

I have performed to Raks Araby - very danceable number easy to choreograph. Classic rhythms very happy music very upbeat. Great for beginning to intermediate belly dancers.

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