Thread: Music used for American Cabaret and Arabic dance performance?

Hi,

I was told by a teacher way back when I started learning this form of dance that there are old classic songs that every band that plays for belly dancers should know how to play like Om Kalsoum songs, etc.

I've been out of the restaurant dance scene for a while now. Is there music that is used for performances that can be used in an American Nightclub Cabaret style and Arabic style? If so, name those tunes ..g.:

Originally Posted by akashablue

Hi,

I was told by a teacher way back when I started learning this form of dance that there are old classic songs that every band that plays for belly dancers should know how to play like Om Kalsoum songs, etc.

I've been out of the restaurant dance scene for a while now. Is there music that is used for performances that can be used in an American Nightclub Cabaret style and Arabic style? If so, name those tunes ..g.:

I haven't met any that can play a lot of Oum Kolthoum, but it seems like most can play Leylet Hob, Aziza, and Lama Bata Thata Sana.

Most of the songs on Dorku.com - Learn Middle Eastern Music are must-knows for dancers and bands.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I haven't met any that can play a lot of Oum Kolthoum, but it seems like most can play Leylet Hob, Aziza, and Lama Bata Thata Sana.

Thank you so much!!!! ..g.:

I've been out of touch with the dance scene wasn't sure what bands play now! I don't remember at the moment what Lama Bata Thata Sana is but I'll do a search to see if there's an mp3 ,r:;

Originally Posted by steffib

Most of the songs on Dorku.com - Learn Middle Eastern Music are must-knows for dancers and bands.

Thank you for the link! I'll definitely check it out!!

Why can't bands show up with a printed list of the songs they can play? It would eliminate the guesswork.

When I danced out in Seattle (well, a suburb of - don't remember the name - but it was a Saqra-organized night) - that band had a multi-page listing of songs they knew.

Out here, it's like you keep naming songs until they recognize one, and then they may not play it for you anyway.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

Why can't bands show up with a printed list of the songs they can play? It would eliminate the guesswork.

When I danced out in Seattle (well, a suburb of - don't remember the name - but it was a Saqra-organized night) - that band had a multi-page listing of songs they knew.

Out here, it's like you keep naming songs until they recognize one, and then they may not play it for you anyway.

I totally agree!!! And I wish there was a list that bands in MA could give dancers so they don't get the WTF show. I went to a workshop with Amina Delal and Phaedra who mentioned that, that would happen if you danced to the band.

Is it because we're dealing with men for the most part? Is it a cultural thing? Is it because we the dancer getting hired for venue X isn't paying for the band directly? I have no clue but that &#$% ain't right!!!

Hah what few bands are out there! The good ones will still play the classical musicals just as Ma'ashal, Sit El Hassan, Azziza, Nagwa, Sahara City. But many many don't know those songs any more and will play more pop or songs that were originally song by a singer versus a musical composed for belly dancing. Zay el Halwa by Abdel Halim is still well known. Many are playing songs by Hakim and Nancy Ajram.

Some other more traditional songs that most bands should know:
Lamma Rah El Sabr mnnu
Ala remsh aynu
Karaatt el fingan
Neptidi Mnein el hikaya

Quite a few of the bands in the DC region play Om Kolsoum- her more well known songs anyway as well as a good number of older orientals, Abdel Halim etc and of course modern pop. The DC region has a large Arab population.
The Dorku list is heavy on the Turkish end of things- providing nice variety.

Originally Posted by norma

Hah what few bands are out there! The good ones will still play the classical musicals just as Ma'ashal, Sit El Hassan, Azziza, Nagwa, Sahara City. But many many don't know those songs any more and will play more pop or songs that were originally song by a singer versus a musical composed for belly dancing. Zay el Halwa by Abdel Halim is still well known. Many are playing songs by Hakim and Nancy Ajram.

Some other more traditional songs that most bands should know:
Lamma Rah El Sabr mnnu
Ala remsh aynu
Karaatt el fingan
Neptidi Mnein el hikaya

Norma, you are sooo lucky. If bands around here played that stuff, I"d be in a happy place - even Nancy Ajram and Hakim!

Well the scene in Detroit is no longer as good as it used to be. Only a few really good bands left. And personally I like the old stuff! The new stuff is to simple and lacks the complexity that some of the older music had. From what I've heard Samira say in the past I think there is more going on in DC. then in Detroit these days.