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CD Review
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Almusic.com, CD Review >>
Review by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
The oud, or Arabic lute, is so integral to Arabic culture that it was used by ancient musicians and philosophers to define scales and served as a foundation for Arab music as a whole. Hence, it's no coincidence that Marcel Khalife achieved folk hero status playing this emblem of Arabic culture. So inspiring was his music that when Israel invaded his native Lebanon in 1982, Iraeli officials confiscated his cassettes, lest he inspire a resurgence of Arabic pride.Peace, reconciliation and boundary-breaking are the hallmarks of Marcel Khalife's music. Born into a Christian family in an Arabic culture, he uses musical influences from both traditions to create a sound that is both soothing and stimulating. An entrancing, 9-track CD,Caress reflects Khalife's multi-faceted musicianship as well as his abilty to connect diverce musical influences. Weaving traditional instuments such as the oud, tabla, riq and mazhar with western mainstays of the piano, bass and violin, he blurs genres for a universal sound.While his virtuoso Oud playing shines on the title track,'With All My Love," features a quirky piano interpretation of 'Happy Birthday," and "Chaza" showcases a stunning violin solo by Omar Guey. Caress showcases an elegant musical marriage of Arabic, classical and jazz influences for a complex, yet accessible sound. 11/15/04 >> go there
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