VA ~ The Music of Arab Americans 1916-50s [Rounder, 1997]

01. Fatima - Alexander Maloof & the Maloof Oriental Orchestra 2:39
02. Il-Bulbul Nagha - Constantine Souse 6:40
03. Hawwil Ya Ghannam - Amer Khadaj, Jalil Azzouz 6:04
04. Lamma Ya Albi - Sana Khadaj, Jalil Azzouz 6:13
05. Raks 'Arabi - Na'im Karakand 3:08
06. Wakef 'Ala - Hanan, Joe Bedway, Yacoub Ghannim, Hakki Obadia, Na'im Karakand 7:14
07. La'uli Bayt - Anton "Tony Abdel Ahad, Philip Solomon, Ronny Kirby 5:51
08. Arabic Folk Songs - Danny Thomas, Toufiq Barham 7:39
09. Flute Imitation - Na'im Karakand 4:00
10. Li'b Al Khayl - Russell Bunai, Joe Bedway, Muhammad al-Akkad 5:24
11. Only You - Kahraman 3:07
12. Taqasim 'Ala al-'Ud - Jalil Azouz 6:25
13. Hall Tadree - Russel Bunai, Joe Bedway, Philip Solomon, Muhammad al-Akkad 6:09
14. Al-Jazayir - Tony Abdel Ahad, Philip Solomon 2:24



'This collection represents a vibrant, dynamic but little-known aspect of American music, predating the era of the album, cassette and CD. The 14 performances collected here, originally recorded on 78 r.p.m. records by Arab American musicians, are but a sample of the music that sustained people of Arab heritage in America during roughly the first half of the twentieth century. Independent Arab-American labels such as Alamphon, Abdel Ahad, Star of the East and Cleopatra were among those who recorded for the people of Arab heritage who had settled in America. That so many independent companies flourished [the original 78 rpm recordings here date from 1916 to the early 1950s] reflects the enthusiasm of the Arab-American community for this music.' ~ back cover

evocative sonic nectar of the shellac era is my musical raison d'être more than any other, so i'm ecstatic to unfurl one of the most potent collections of arabic songs & dances ever assembled. in the mid 90s when i began digging 78 rpm compilations of 'ethnic', blues, jazz & gospel pirty heavily, this joint was amongst the first inspirational wave of releases responsible for making that period of discovery so exciting. the physical document itself was lost in the whirlwind that is life & it's only by virtue of a dear friend that these achingly beautiful melodies have recently made their way back into my consciousness, booklet & owl :))) شكرا مرة أخرى صديقي العزيز. هذا هو أعظم هدية يمكن تخيلها