Thread: Batwannes Beek sung by Warda - shorter version?

Dear all,

I have an album with the wonderful, earthy Warda-version of Bitwannes Beek. I love this song and would love to dance to it. However, it's incredibly long (14 minutes or so) and I think it would be tricky for me to find a logical place to cut it. (I'd need it to be 5 minutes or less).

The version on the BDSS album is 7 minutes, but I don't like it nearly as much as the Warda version (the vocals are a little grating and it's just not as juicy).

Are there any shorter (e.g. 4-6 minute) versions of the song out there Warda's vocals? I've checked previous threads, but shorter versions are generally instrumental or with other vocals. Know it's a bit of a long shot to ask again, but if anyone knows a good track/album, do let me know!

Thank you!

Do you know anyone that could edit the music for you? I have that same CD and also love that version much better than any other. I haven't tried my hand and editing a piece of music as long as this one, but I finally broke down and bought some software that allows me to do some very basic editing.

Marya

I was going to suggest the same thing. I experimented with this (I use SoundForge) last year. I used some of the non-Warda shorter versions as a guide and carefully followed the lyrics (via Shira's page, I believe) to make sure if I was cutting any vocals, it would only be if a verse was repeated. I think I took out some of the repeats in the instrumental of the intro. I only worked it down to about 6 min., though. You'd probably have to cut most of the intro if you want it less than 5 and keep both verses intact. It's such a great intro, it would be hard to give it up! The tempo of the original is slower than the Setrak version (which is what's mostly available), so that makes it more difficult to shrink down.

Originally Posted by Wallowa

Do you know anyone that could edit the music for you? I have that same CD and also love that version much better than any other. I haven't tried my hand and editing a piece of music as long as this one, but I finally broke down and bought some software that allows me to do some very basic editing.

Marya

The Setrak version is really nice. It's 7 minutes. VOS has a 5 minute version with vocals, it has more of the feel of the original version than the Setrak version. Belly Dance Hits of Warda and Milhelm Barakat.

I'm not aware of a Warda version unless it's someone's personal edit.

Though I absolutely HATE cutting music, I actually made a cut of this piece for the last BDOY competition in May. Made a lovely short piece of it for that (and some use in restaurants) at just about 4 minutes and then added a drum solo and exit. It uses the intro and first verse only....

Thank you all very much for your suggestions! I feared that cutting/editing it substantially might be the only solution. I'm not particularly adept at editing songs.

Khalilah: Using the intro and first verse only sounds like a good idea. Presumably the drum solo and exist were from something else?

That's right...I found a drum solo that also fit the time frame I was given and popped a finale/exit piece on to that - voila! Soundbyte piece fit for BDOY. The shorter cut of Warda actually is a little better for some of the restaurants as well so I've used it on it's own as a "mellow in-between" on a couple of longer sets.