Zay El Hawa
Abdel Halim Hafez
1999: Virgin Arabia 724384836320
A friend had heard about Hafez, probably on NPR, and asked if I’d heard any of his recordings, figuring with my eclectic tastes and keenness on Arabic-world music I might. But I didn’t, so I went ahead and bought this CD without even hearing an audio sample of what it might be like. And although Hafez does have a pleasant voice, as is the case with Oum Kalthoum the audience reaction in concert recordings such as these is quite baffling as well as somewhat annoying…either you had to be there or you have to know the language, I guess. For now, I put this one on when I want a little atmosphere coming from the next room. I do hope to appreciate it more someday.
Comments © 2010 Mark Ellis Walker, except as noted, and no claim is made to the images and quoted lyrics.