Thread: Ideas for 'life songs'?

Hi,

One goal I have is to try to put together a dance where I perform my 'life'. I hope that doesn't sound stupid or cheesy. Basically I'm looking for anything dealing with the ideas of imprisonment and freedom, or a change from sorrow to joy.

I feel that the range of emotions would be wonderful and dramatic in a dance piece, but I'm really at a loss as to where to start or how to find such a thing. Suggestions?

How about a baladi taqsim? Those tend to start out somewhat introspective or contemplative, and then build to a more joyful finish.

Or, how about the song Touta? There's a recording of it one of the CD's in the Gems of the Middle East series by Mary Ellen Donald.

Well, you could use different pieces of music to represent the different emotions. Lamma Badah is a beautiful, very old, well-loved song about longing and unrequited love.

There are lots of upbeat songs out there to choose from, even a drum solo might work for joy, playfulness.

Any suggestions on a great recording of a baladi taqsim? I'm also hoping to do something people haven't heard to death. I listened to the little clip of 'Touta' on your site and it might be a little fast.

I like big, dramatic songs...I don't know if that helps or not?

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Any suggestions on a great recording of a baladi taqsim? I listened to the little clip of 'Touta' on your site and it might be a little fast.

Touta is a 4-minute song. It starts out slow, then gradually picks up speed. The clip on my web site is from the rapid finale.

For baladi taqsims, you might check the Wash ya Wash series by Nourhan & Yousry Sharif, or the Jalilah Raqs Sharqi series by Jalilah. Off the top of my head, I forget which CD's have them. Or, you might search bhuz for old threads on baladi progressions. Look for pieces on CD's titled "accordion taqsim" or "violin taqsim".

Thanks Shira! Cory has suggested George Abdo's Raqs Pharonic. Any idea where I might find a lyric translation?

This song probably isn't what you're looking for, and American audiences won't understand the lyrics, but your idea made me think of this Haifa video with English subtitles.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxUjHZ4OOb4]YouTube - haifa wehbe-baddi eish (english subtitles)[/ame]

Originally Posted by Zamira

This song probably isn't what you're looking for, and American audiences won't understand the lyrics, but your idea made me think of this Haifa video with English subtitles.

YouTube - haifa wehbe-baddi eish (english subtitles)

Wow. Thanks for sharing that with us, Zamira. I really liked that! I'm not a big Haifa fan, but I'll take back some of the catty things I thought about her now. ..l;,

That is a great song! And even if non-Arabic speaking audiences don't understand, you could really express yourself through the foreign lyrics.
(I always liked Haifa and her bordering annoying slutty dollness... ;op)

I don't know if I could perform to Haifa considering her reputation! I love the song though...