Thread: Essential music

This is sort of a cross-post, but not really. The other topic is here:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/search-som...tml#post603640

Basically, I am trying to buy CD's to dance and learn more about Middle Eastern music. I know a lot of music from watching other dancers live and on video, and I own some music but not nearly as much as I should. I noticed that I don't even have many of the classics!

So I'm at a point where more often than not when seeing a belly dance performance, I recognize the music and know how the song goes, but I don't necessarily know the artist's name, or who the composer is, or even the name of the song. I'm overwhelmed as to where to start.

So I opened that topic on the shopping section to see what CD's bhuzzers were selling, but I figured I should start one here as well to hear your thoughts and recommendations as well.

Another way to explore classic songs is to check out the Songs pages I've created on BellydanceDownloads.com - Songs. In many cases I've included song info (composer, what title means) at the top and then I've listed links to all of the versions I've found on the download sites.

Some good, easy-to-find albums of classic songs are
10 Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know
The Masters of Bellydance Music
The Masters of Bellydance Music Vol. 2
(The above three are all produced by Hollywood Music Center and there may be some of the same versions on "10 Songs" as on the "Masters" CDs, so it's great to be able to download so you don't end up with two of the same.)

Then there are the Jalilah CDs, which have longer versions of classic songs -
1 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 1: Classical Egyptian Dance Music
2 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 2: Amar 14
3 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 3: Journey of the Gipsy Dancer
4 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 4
5 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 5: Stars of Casino Opera
6 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 6: In a Beirut Mood

That should get you started. ..g.:

Awesome site, Kiyaana - thanks for posting it!

Thanks for those links!

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Another way to explore classic songs is to check out the Songs pages I've created on BellydanceDownloads.com - Songs. In many cases I've included song info (composer, what title means) at the top and then I've listed links to all of the versions I've found on the download sites.

Some good, easy-to-find albums of classic songs are
10 Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know
The Masters of Bellydance Music
The Masters of Bellydance Music Vol. 2
(The above three are all produced by Hollywood Music Center and there may be some of the same versions on "10 Songs" as on the "Masters" CDs, so it's great to be able to download so you don't end up with two of the same.)

Then there are the Jalilah CDs, which have longer versions of classic songs -
1 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 1: Classical Egyptian Dance Music
2 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 2: Amar 14
3 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 3: Journey of the Gipsy Dancer
4 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 4
5 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 5: Stars of Casino Opera
6 - Jalilah's Raks Sharki 6: In a Beirut Mood

That should get you started. ..g.:

Excellent suggestions!