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Concert Review
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The Cleveland Free Times, Concert Review >>
Marcel Khalife
Westlake Performing Arts Center
Sunday, Nov. 11
Marcel Khalife isn't a shy man, either musically or politically. Throughout his career, the Lebanese oud virtuoso has been praised and condemned for his fearless outspokenness and lauded for his brilliant music. In Westlake on Sunday night, both sides of the artist were in full view. The concert started an hour late due to sound difficulties. Just as the crowd waiting outside in the lobby was beginning to get disgruntled, the doors opened. The two-hours-plus that followed were worth the wait. Though the concert was billed as a Khalife show, he was so generous in letting his bandmates take center stage that the evening was really more of an exuberant collaboration. Khalife's playing had a warm flow to it, and his strong tenor voice rang out over it like a bell.
Double bassist Peter Herbert, using an instrument borrowed from a Westlake student, treated the bass like a guitar one minute, a drum the next and a violin the next. Strumming, beating, bowing near the bridge, there wasn't a sound that he didn't get out of this usually ponderous instrument. Pianist Rami Khalife was more than his match in the innovation department. His furious extended solo on "Passport" in the second set was the work of a musical madman. He nearly stole the show from Khalife with a rant that included thumping, plucking inside the piano, pounding with his fists, and executing breathless lyrical runs. Bachar Khalife's percussion work was subtle by comparison, yet sensitive and essential to the drive of the night. Surprise guest percussionist Jamie Haddad helped out on the finale.
Khalife peppered the show with some strong political commentary, aided by an offstage interpreter. He spoke of the band's difficulties getting through airport security, criticized the US for supplying arms to the world, and fiercely maintained that love is better than war. "I have no problems with the American people," he said. "My problem is with American politics." Both sets ended with rousing sing-alongs with the house lights up. The packed house sang the anthemic Arabic pride songs "I Walk" and "O Fishermen, Haila, Haila" with gusto.
- Peggy Latkovich 11/14/07 >> go there
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