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CD Review
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Dirty Linen, CD Review >>
-by Peggy Latkovich
This debut by the Joubran brothers of Nazareth could bring the oud out of the shadows of "world music" esoterica and move it closer to the near-mainstream status enjoyed by Yo-Yo Ma's "Silk Road" project. Each member of the trio brings his own gifts to the instrument, a relative of the European lute and ancestor to the guitar. Eldest brother Samir is a composer, Wissam carries on the family tradition of making the instruments, and youngest brother Adnan is a brilliant musical technician.
The CD has five lengthy tracks, and not a note is wasted on any of them. In "Shagaf," the brothers trade off dazzling phrases in question-and-answer style. The slow, stately "Misage" features some rhapsodic improvisation over a rhythmic ostinato set up by the other two ouds. In the 18-minute "Safar," one can hear hints of flamenco guitar, tracing the centuries-old flow of plucked instrument music from the Middle East to Spain. Though the music here is all newly composed, it has a timeless quality that could place it almost anywhere in history. Randana is a subtle work that demands close listening to fully take in the nuances of the phrasing and architecture of each piece. The Joubran brothers' thoughtful blend of passion and precision brings fresh life into an ancient tradition. 06/01/07
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