Thread: Cairo Blue

Anyone have this CD? I just ordered it and it hasn't arrived yet. Getting antsy to hear some new music.

I've got the "beta" version and am picking up the real version in class tomorrow.
LOVE it. Some the the pieces are lovely for performing to both in traditional settings, non-traditional shows as well as haflas. The whole thing is wonderful to listen to. I'd say it's also great for teaching/class.

Samira, thanks. I can't wait to get it.I have long held the belief that there is an organic connection between baladi progression or baladi taqsim, Delta blues, and jazz. I would love to hear a baladi progression with scat singing in the sektet section. Rupert von Rompi, the djembe guy, does some pieces without the drum where he sings and beat boxes Arabic rhythms.

Originally Posted by Souzan

Anyone have this CD? I just ordered it and it hasn't arrived yet. Getting antsy to hear some new music.

You can hear clips of it and buy it online here:
Hosein al-Issawi & Ahmed Ramaah | Cairo Blue | CD Baby

Originally Posted by Serpentine

You can hear clips of it and buy it online here:
Hosein al-Issawi & Ahmed Ramaah | Cairo Blue | CD Baby

It just arrived this week and I love it!!!!!

Originally Posted by Souzan

It just arrived this week and I love it!!!!!

I ordered it just now . . . so I hope I love it as much as you do.

I got the CD a while ago, and I really enjoy it a lot. Tonight, it's the perfect music for sitting on the porch with my husband on a beautiful summer night.

Has anyone danced to any of the songs on this CD? I love the concept but am wondering how it would go over to a bellydance crowd?

Originally Posted by blksunwyn

Has anyone danced to any of the songs on this CD? I love the concept but am wondering how it would go over to a bellydance crowd?

Well, there are different sorts of "belly dance crowds". ..g.:
The first few times I used it was at belly dance community with a few GP American audience events. Went over GREAT. I use one of the beledi sounding ones and love it. I've also used it as a "change of pace" beledi at an Arab audience place- they appreciate it as well.
I use some of them for warm ups as well.

I love the music on this CD! It makes me really happy!

I've used it for both Egyptian-style shows and fusion shows for American audiences. In both cases it has gone over well. Americans seem to respond to the jazz/western influence of the trumpet and sax, and many of the songs are beledis, which work well for Arab audiences.

I love this CD :) I have used some of the songs and find all audiences love them. The taqsim pieces are lovely and easily replace a standard taqsim with a touch of jazz. The beladi numbers are also wonderful to dance to.

Thanks for the response. I'm happy to hear that it's good dancing as well as listening music. I'm considering dancing to King Tut's Baladi/Taqsim and am looking for a drum solo to round it off with.

Tammy

Originally Posted by blksunwyn

Thanks for the response. I'm happy to hear that it's good dancing as well as listening music. I'm considering dancing to King Tut's Baladi/Taqsim and am looking for a drum solo to round it off with.

Tammy

That's the one I use the most. :D

I've used the Bint Beladi Taqsim many times for my fan dance intros and it's gone over well with a variety of audiences from the younger Arabic crowds to the G.P. American audiences. I love that it has this delicious smoky jazz club feeling, while still being very clear in its Egyptian roots. I also feel more comfortable using it for my fusion numbers, since the music itself is a fusion.

I'd also agree with Steffi that it's excellent listening music.