Thread: music for a mini show

Hallo All,

I really like the concept of the 5/6/7 part “Classical/Vintage American” belly dance show, whereby the music contains an entrance, veil, upbeat, chifti, drum, finale (and/or 9/8, takasim etc).

The music used by Tanna on the WDNY “Bellydance Show Basics” dvd is a good example of this. It’s nice and short too. I know that some cds have show songs (e.g., George Abdo, Ozal Turkbas) but these are too long for my taste.

So, I’m looking specifically for;
- one song,
- max 10 minutes,
- containing 5/6/7 parts.

Any suggestions?

Thanks and cheers
Rosemarie

You might like to try the CD Amar 14 by El Ferka el Masaya. Two of my favorites are; "Jalilah's Balady" it's the shortest song with baladi progression I ever came accross (4.15min), and the title song "Amar 14" which is 10:30 min and has a really nice progression.

hope this helps

Thanks for the tip Audie, I'll check it out.

other suggestions??

I don't think Amar 14 is what you are looking for as it is too classically Egyptian, and would not have sections for props or floor work or drum solo. The whole Egyptian genre probably won't give you what you are looking for, unless you are just looking for an Egyptian intro piece that has some mood/rhythm changes, and possibly a short section with a folk flavor (Saiidi, Khaleegi, or Nubian), in which case any number of Oriental overtures would work.

A baladi progression really calls for baladi style dance IMO, so I don't think that would work for you if you are planning to dance in the Vintage Oriental style. These progress from very slow and subtle up to a frenzy, so they don't follow the 5 or 7 part routine pattern. Rather, a balady progression would be one of the parts of an Egyptian style routine.

In general, the classical 5 to 7 part routine was at least 25 mins in length; it will be difficult to reconstruct it in 10 mins. without some very creative editing.

You might check out stuff in the Arab-American Genre like Julia's Dream on the Magic of John Biliekjistan, or George Abdo (Raks Mustapha on Joy of BD comes to mind). There is also a CD called Bellydancing for Fortune and Fame that has many short tracks that can be put together for short routines.

Thanks Sedonia, I'll check you suggestions.

You might want to also check out the Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak "Strictly Belly Dancing" CDs for classical/vintage routines, especially Vol. 3 and Vol. 4, which have full dance routines. I used them for years as a standard cabaret set, and the music is great.

Also, "Belly Dance Fantasy" by Veena & Neena has several cabaret dance routines. Not as good as the "Strictly" routines IMHO, but depends on your taste in music.

Or you might consider cutting down on the number of "parts." For example, entrance, slow section for veil or props or floor/standing taxim, drum solo, exit. Might be more doable in a 10-min. time frame.

Ditto on Raks Mustapha and John B. - If you're good with audacity, I think these can be shortened, too. I also like the Bellydance Routine on George Abdo's Bellydance CD. Mystical Veil by Mel Barsamian has two vintage style routines, too. And, Mesmera 2000 (or maybe Bellydance 2000?) has short song snippets that can be pieced together nicely.

And, if you're looking for really very retro, I believe every Radio Bastet show has a full routine in it. These are always fun and delightfully vintage ;-)

Thanks ladies, I'll be checking the music suggestions out. Coincidently, I was in the music store today and it has quite a big selection of the Kochak cds. Now I know where to start looking.
And I may even have some of the cds mentioned. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

Thanks again,
cheers Rosemarie

My favorite 'cabaret' show music is Champagne Bellydance by Setrak Sarkissian. On the CD, the tracks from 4 onwards form a 20 minute set, which includes grand opening, saidi, taxim, drum solo, boppy bit, finale. Each piece is on separate tracks, so you can cut and paste to make a 10 min set that hangs together really well. It's fun, dynamic music, so good for a non-baladi feel. There's bits work well with veil, cane, zills, sword balancing.

Hi Jewel,

Thanks for the tip. I remember seeing this cd at the music store too.

By the way, I checked out your web site (being an Aussie myself) and loved several of your articles, which I have saved for future reference.

Cheers Rosemarie

Originally Posted by Rosemarie

Hi Jewel,

Thanks for the tip. I remember seeing this cd at the music store too.

By the way, I checked out your web site (being an Aussie myself) and loved several of your articles, which I have saved for future reference.

Cheers Rosemarie

I'm glad you liked my articles! So you're a fellow Aussie? Well, we'll have to be careful not to cross paths with the Champagne BD 5-part performance! I use it so often...every time I have a gig, I think; "This time I will use something different!"...and then run out of time and end up whipping it out yet again. It just works so perfectly for your average jo blo audience. I love that it's slightly hammy.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

So you're a fellow Aussie? Well, we'll have to be careful not to cross paths with the Champagne BD 5-part performance!

Not much chance of that happening, I live in The Netherlands!

Originally Posted by ssipes

I don't think Amar 14 is what you are looking for as it is too classically Egyptian, and would not have sections for props or floor work or drum solo. .

Good point. Sorry Rosemarie I missed the "Classical American" part of your description.

's OK Audie, I appreciate any suggestions