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CD Review / Concert Preview
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Vancouver Sun, CD Review / Concert Preview >>
Khalifé's playing has the ability to transport
By Marke Andrews
Taqasim
Marcel Khalifé
Connecting Cultures Record
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
My three favourite instruments -- the oboe, dobro and oud -- aren't what you'd call staples of the recording industry, so it's great to hear one of them feature prominently on a CD.
Lebanon's Marcel Khalifé has mastered the oud, that round, 11-string instrument of North Africa and the Middle East with the deep-throated sound (it's often called the "Arabic lute"), though he's known as much for his vocals as he is for his instrumental skills. There are no vocals on Taqasim, a 60-minute composition divided into three movements that he performs with longtime bassist Peter Herbert and percussionist Bashar Khalifé.
Taqasim, which translates as "improvisations," is inspired by the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, and Khalifé spends a good deal of time exploring the lower register of the oud, at times harmonizing with Herbert's bass. The music changes mood and tempo often, and during the second movement percussionist Khalifé drops out for a section.
Good music should take you places, and Taqasim does just that.
- Marcel Khalifé performs Saturday, 9 p.m., at North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre. See D8 for details. 10/04/07 >> go there
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