by Natasha Tynes | Feb 3, 2005 | Film, Music, The cook in me
We had an enjoyable evening last night. Amal came over and we cooked a Chinese dish with cashew nuts for dinner along with some banana bread for dessert. They both turned out very well. Following our brief dinner, we watched a Dutch documentary entitled Fairuz, We Hielden Zoveel Van Mekaar, or "Fairuz: When we loved each other so much." The documentary, which Amal worked on as a field producer, examines the Lebanese infatuation with the diva Fairuz, explaining how she provided the soundtrack to the lives of so many Lebanese during the civil war that shattered that country’s soul.
Those interviewed talked passionately about their attachment to Fairuz songs and how she helped shape their emotions and nationalism while growing up in a war weary world.
Naturally, the soundtrack of the movie was Fairuz songs, which did make enjoyable listening. But after watching the documentary I felt the urge to bring up a controversial topic in these parts: Fairuz overexposure. I know this might offend the many ardent Fairuz fans out there, but I really have had enough of her. Wherever you go — at least in Jordan — a sampling of Fairuz melodies is required. You hear her everywhere and I mean everywhere: The bus, the cab, on national TV, all radio stations, even your neighbor’s CD player.
When it is Christmas, we hear Fairuz singing Laileh Eid or "A festive night." When it it is snowing she chants Talj, Talj or "snow snow." When there is a Palestinian solidarity campaign we hear Ya qudos or "Oh, Jerusalem." There is a Fairuz song to suit every occasion.
It is just too much! I know most of her songs by heart but sometimes I wish they would just stop playing them! I don’t hate her beautiful melodies or her tantalizing voice; don’t get me wrong. I’m just suffering from Fairuz overload! I cannot allow myself to hear her songs anymore. I have had it! Enough!! It is about time for a new diva to step into the limelight.
Ok. I’m finished venting. Attack me if you will 😉
by Natasha Tynes | Dec 10, 2004 | Jordan, my nation, Music
Ahmad Humeid wrote a very nice piece in the Jordan Times about the advent of private English radio stations in the kingdom. He also suggested ways to improve long-standing Jordan Radio’s English language FM station. It is worth your time to take a look.
On the same note, the mere idea of flipping through radio channels while in Jordan will be a novel one for me, as the English FM station had always been my only choice of audio entertainment.
For me, part of growing up in Jordan was spending hours listening to pop tunes on Radio Jordan alongside the ramblings of the loud, obnoxious DJs. Those were fun days. There is no doubt that the music of Radio Jordan FM was the soundtrack of my adolescent life. I do not think I can give it up, despite the advent of these alternative choices.
by Natasha Tynes | Nov 29, 2004 | Jordan, my nation, Music
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The band ‘Rum’ is really going places. I love their music. The last time I attended their concert was last year when it was held at the Street of Culture (Share3 al thaqafeh) in Shmeisani. I had a blast.
They performed in the open air, as the show was held in public and gratis for everyone. Their music reverberated across the neighborhood of Shemisani, serving as an invitation for the residents to come and enjoy the show. It was the perfect setting: Great atmosphere, phenomenal music and pleasant weather. Two thumbs up!
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by Natasha Tynes | Oct 21, 2004 | Music
I recently got introduced to the music of Peter Cinocotti and I’m really enjoying it.
His music is mainly a mesh of jazz with some revisits of pop tunes. If you like Nora Jones, you will dig this guy. I’m not a huge jazz fan but Cincotti’s music has really grabbed me. Highly recommended.
by Natasha Tynes | Sep 29, 2004 | Everyday me!, Music, Shutterbug
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I’m not sure if anyone out there is familiar with the Lebanese band Soap Kills, but I really dig them.
For the past hour or so I have been busy making a carrot cake while listening to their album “Cheftak” or “I saw you”. It is really great stuff. Their music is a mesh of jazz, downbeat electronica with oriental influences.
I attended one of their concerts last year in Amman at the Blue Fig and I remember being well impressed by not only their music but by their animated stage presence.
I vividly remember keyboard and guitar player, Zeid, jumping from the top of one table to the other in attempts to get the crowd, who seemed far too involved in the eating, to dance and groove along. Maybe their music was too complex for patrons of Blue Fig.
These are a few pictures from the Blue Fig show last year taken by my one and only hubby.
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by Natasha Tynes | Jul 31, 2004 | Jordan, my nation, Music, Shutterbug
Yesterday Tania got us free tickets for a soprano and clarinet concert taking place in Jerash as part of the annual cultural festival there. So we, accompanied by mom and her friend Ra’da, drove to Jerash, about one hour north of Amman, to enjoy the festivities and the music.
The concert was a combined French-Jordanian effort with Jordanian musicians Dima and Nadim Bawwab accompanied by musicians from Toulouse, France presenting a unique evening of clarinet and soprano coloratura performance.
I was particularly impressed with Dima, the young soprano. Her voice is really something else. I can tell she is really working on it, as each year I notice an improvement. This young woman has a bright future ahead of her! I can really see that. She has both a strong voice and strong passion about her music — a perfect combination.
Her younger brother Nadim was really impressive as well. His performance on clarinet (in far right and middle below) was top-notch. It was also touching to see Nadim and Dima’s dad acting as maestro and announcer, as he worked to ensure everything went properly.
Their dad, a musician as well, is the primary person behind last night’s event. His constant support and encouragement of his kids is certainly one of the main reasons they have excelled in such a way! Kudos for his efforts!
(more…)
We had an enjoyable evening last night. Amal came over and we cooked a Chinese dish with cashew nuts for dinner along with some banana bread for dessert. They both turned out very well. Following our brief dinner, we watched a Dutch documentary entitled Fairuz, We Hielden Zoveel Van Mekaar, or "Fairuz: When we loved each other so much." The documentary, which Amal worked on as a field producer, examines the Lebanese infatuation with the diva Fairuz, explaining how she provided the soundtrack to the lives of so many Lebanese during the civil war that shattered that country’s soul.
Naturally, the soundtrack of the movie was Fairuz songs, which did make enjoyable listening. But after watching the documentary I felt the urge to bring up a controversial topic in these parts: Fairuz overexposure. I know this might offend the many ardent Fairuz fans out there, but I really have had enough of her. Wherever you go — at least in Jordan — a sampling of Fairuz melodies is required. You hear her everywhere and I mean everywhere: The bus, the cab, on national TV, all radio stations, even your neighbor’s CD player.
Yesterday Tania got us free tickets for a soprano and clarinet concert taking place in Jerash as part of the annual cultural festival there. So we, accompanied by mom and her friend Ra’da, drove to Jerash, about one hour north of Amman, to enjoy the festivities and the music.