Best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra

by George Abdo

Overview

Kitsch? Well yes, it is. But apart from being a lot of fun, there's a lot to be learned from this CD. A compilation of what George Abdo and his men did, ostensibly for the belly dancing circuit, although more popular among immigrants from around the Mediterranean and Middle East, it's an object lesson in how a new land changes music. They adapted it to America, making it decidedly more loungy (just listen to Abdo's singing, strongly influenced by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Perry Como), and slowly removing the more ethnic elements, like those awkward quarter-tones in the melody, to achieve a synthesis that was, ultimately, completely American -- ready for the new world, hearkening back over its shoulder at the old. The patina of tradition was there, but really, this was American music as much as jazz or rock & roll. And that's quite an achievement. Whether tracks like "Ya Gameel" or the terribly cheesy "Sahirrnee" are classics remains to be seen. But, on the evidence of this, Abdo really did do something -- and how many places will you hear cocktail piano and Latin congas ready to wiggle behind a veil? ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/21/2002
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074045824
Rank:	92521

Tracks

1. Ya Gameel (Arabic Love Ballad)
2. Ruh Tum Bi Salama (Go in Peace)
3. Ta Mavra Matia Sou (Your Black Eyes)
4. Raks Araby (Arabic Dance)
5. Hadouni, Hadouni
6. Allah, Ya Lubnan (God, My Beautiful Lebanon)
7. Raks Averof (Dace at the Averof)
8. Raks Mustapha (Mustapha's Dance: Complete Belly Dance Routine)
9. Min Feegis (Don't Leave Me)
10. Raks El-Malek (Dance for the King)
11. Sahirrnee (Bewitched)
12. Noora Ya Noora (Norra's Dance)
13. O Paliatzis (The Junk Man)
14. Dio Cardias (Two Hearts)
15. Imm Al-Manadili (The Charm of Your Scarf)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

George Abdo   Primary Artist,Vocals
George Abdo & the Flames of Araby Orchestra   Primary Artist
Greg Hopkins   Trumpet
Ted Vartabed   Violin,Violin (Electric)
John Haddad   Viola,Violin,Violin (Electric)
Bruce J. Jabbour   Choir/Chorus
Martin Yaffee   Oboe
Margo Sayegh   Choir/Chorus
Stephen Kouyoumjian   Lead,Bongos,Darbouka
Ken Kalajian   Guitar (Bass)
Mitchell Kaltsunas   Claves,Congas,Darabeka,Choir/Chorus
Annette Sayegh   Choir/Chorus
Manny Petro   Guitar
Za-Beth   Choir/Chorus
Arthur Chingris   Bongos,Cymbals,Darbouka,Trap Kit
Joseph Kouyoumjian   Ud
Edward Melikian   Ud
Peter Koury   Ud
Mark Bichajian   Guitar
Linda-Jo (Shannah) Pettingell   Choir/Chorus
Chris Marashlian   Guitar (Bass)
Tom Haddad   Darbouka
Amir   Finger Cymbals

Technical Credits

George Abdo   Arranger
Pete Reiniger   Mastering
Ronnie Simpkins   Audio Supervisor
Dan Sheehy   Production Supervisor
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Jeff Place   Archivist
Jacob Love   Editing
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Sonya Cohen Cramer   Design,Layout Design
Stephanie Smith   Archivist