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CD Review
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Sing Out!, CD Review >>
It was easy for the Joubran brothers to keep it in the family--music is all they've ever known. Born to one of Palestine's most famous luthiers and a mother that performed the Arabic poetry form Muashahat, the classical sounds of the oud were born into their consciousness. While each is experienced in solo performance, Randana marks the first gouping of Samir, Wissam and Adnan. The eldest, Samir, has five records under his belt, having toured worldwide spreading the Arabic gospel; Wissam has followed in his father's footsteps, constructing the ouds these brothers play; the youngest, Adnan, is considered as prodigious was any. With this sort of history, Randana is masterful in execution and selection. Derived from the Arab words for resonance (ranna) and the humming (dandana), it is a fitting title for the mournful, soft and vividly colorful ground this trio covers. The 18-minute "Safar" is an emotional escapade all its own: plaintive strings seduce the listener up front, pulling them into a hypnotic stupor. The deeper you go, the more intense the playing. Throughout the song--as is the case with all acoustic oud performaces--silence becomes the main vehicle in which declarations are made. The three brothers are psychically dexterous, running through scales fluidly and gracefully. By the end, a lifetime of emotions has been canvassed, sheer virtuosity explored rhythmically and quietly. This album is why music proves cathartic: it is the play of oppositions constantly engaged. And if one word describes the strength of Randana, it is certainly engagement. 08/01/06
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