Marcel Khalife named UNESCO Artist for Peace
Sabbah tips us: Marcel Khalife named UNESCO Artist for Peace.
...the Lebanese musician and writer was named UNESCO Artist for Peace on June 7 by UNESCO Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, at a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters. Born in 1950 in Amchit, Mount Lebanon, Khalife first studied, then taught, the oud, or Arabic lute, at the Beirut National Conservatory. He began his career as a soloist and went on, in 1972, to create “Al Mayadine”, a group in his home village, to preserve the Arabic musical heritage with the oud. At the vanguard of innovative Middle-Eastern music, Khalifé’s original music makes him an ambassador of his culture.
Sabbah has been re-blogging my posts for some time now on a separate blog, but I only just figured out that he has a good news category at his personal blog. He covers "life, politics, art, culture, science, technology" and has been interviewed by the BBC regarding Arab bloggers. Bookmark both of Sabbah's blogs - he's a wonderful source.
Thanks for saying that about me. Your blog was always a wonderful source too.
keep the good work coming :-)
Posted by: Haitham | June 09, 2005 at 10:19 AM
I just got the new Marcel Khalife album, _Caress_ which I like a lot. My favorite is the 3rd track called "Granada" which is flamenco on the oud. Another fine Lebanese artist who gets a lot of local airplay is Claude Chalhoub.
However, by far my all-time favorite oud album is _Assarouf_ by Algerian oudist Baly Othmani and American percussionist Steve Shehan. I put the camel's dance track called "Azouiegh Illougan" on my workout playlist as it's about as motivating as any music I own.
Anyone who likes rousing and inventive "world music" would do well to check out the "Tangents" radio show hosted by Dore Stein, www.tangents.com. Locally "Tangents" can be heard on KALW 91.7 FM at 8 PM on Saturday nights. Globally Tangents can be heard as a webcast from www.kalw.org. I've heard Khalife, Chalhoub, Rachid Taha, Tiniwaren, Baly Othmani, DJ Cheb I Sabbah, Shabaz, Khaled, Natasha Atlas and many more related artists on "Tangents."
Last but not least I'd like to mention the new group with the best name, Duoud. Say this out loud a few times, you'll smile! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000075A3K/qid%3D1118610469/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-3259616-6676050
Disclaimer: okay so I am part of a booster club for KALW.
Posted by: Alison Chaiken | June 12, 2005 at 02:09 PM