You know you gotta hear the Arabic version of “Shaft”

October 25, 2006 at 4:22 am | In Arabic Music | 15 Comments

B-Wo’s offer to send a mix CD to anyone who asks is a lovely idea. His post also reminded me of a now-dormant blog I used to read back in 2000 or 2001; the proprietor of said blog sent a copy of Glenn Gould playing Bach’s English Suites to anyone who wanted one. Remembering this today, I found the two CDs and they really helped keep my blood pressure down as I surveyed the water damage to my photography supplies (a story for another time).

Anyway, I thought I might do a similar thing, i.e. send out a mix CD — but of Arabic music — to anyone who wants one. Back in the day when I used to make mix tapes for people, I didn’t bother to organize the songs thematically; I just threw on whatever I happened to like at the time. Now, however, I think it would be cool to put together a CD that illustrates the influence of various non-Arabic musical styles on artists in Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, etc. And I’d like to include songs that “quote” from other songs — there are tons of Arab musicians that rework Western melodies, of course, but I also have in mind at least one European artist who quotes from an Arabic song. I would of course write up extensive liner notes for inclusion with the disc.

This would be a really fun project for me, and not something I’d do just for myself. All you have to do is email me with an address and promise me you’ll listen to it at least once.

15 Comments »

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OOOH Oooo ooo! I want one. I’ll email you my address.

Comment by Megan — October 26, 2006 #

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I would really like that. The only Arabic song that I know is Baba Fain , which is a novelty song about kid’s bad telephone etiquette. My kids like that song because it has children singers.

Comment by joeo — October 26, 2006 #

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A friend and I once rocked out in the gift store of the Institut du Monde Arabe, to the music that was playing in there. So I think I’d like one of those.

Comment by ac — October 26, 2006 #

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joeo, that song was awesome. I laughed all the way through it. Adorable.

Comment by dagger aleph — October 26, 2006 #

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A long time ago, an Iraqi girlfriend taught me a children’s song. All I remember is that is went something like this: “Tiri tiri ya ass fura. Ana mit lich [something something something] ura.” Something about a little bird, little bird up in the sky. I am like you (ana mit lich?) something something. OK, so bad memory and transcription problems there, but I’m sure it went something like that.

Comment by Chris — October 26, 2006 #

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Or perhaps I’ve just completely lost my mind. (And perhaps it was “ana mit lick”.)

Comment by Chris — October 26, 2006 #

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Oooh! Can I have one? (well, you don’t know me from Adam or Eve, so I understand if you say no). I’ll make you one too if you want. I haven’t made mixed CDs in ages. Before that, I used to make a lot of mixed cassettes (ha! remember those?) for friends.

Chris’ comment above is going to drive me nuts. Now I have to remember that song. I’ll have to call my mother and ask her about it.

Comment by Marianne — October 26, 2006 #

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Chris: those lyrics make sense: “Fly, fly, o little bird. I am like you…[?]” “I am like you” is “ana mithlik” but in dialect the “th” sound sometimes becomes a “t” sound. That’s cool that you still remember it.

Marianne: the offer is open to everyone, including people I don’t know from Adam or Eve; I’m more than happy to send you one. Remember to email me your address.

Comment by dagger aleph — October 26, 2006 #

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I did remember it (sort of) correctly? Wow. I wonder if it’s the fact that it’s in a song – I don’t usually have a great memory. That girlfriend and I dated for 3 and a half years and I only picked up four other Arabic words (yes, no, book, c–t), so that tells you something about my language skills.

Comment by Chris — October 27, 2006 #

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DA, can you email me (sandema@yahoo.com) and I’ll email you my address? I gotta hear the Arabic version of Shaft!

Comment by john — October 27, 2006 #

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Shaft in Arabic would make my year. Granted, it’s been a crapfest of a year, but still. And I’ll be fair, I’ll give you a print in exchange (I have been considering do a give-away over at my virtual house, must be the season?)

Comment by ttractor — October 27, 2006 #

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I’ll give you a print in exchange

Sweet.

John, I emailed you. But in case anyone else missed it, my email address is at the bottom of the sidebar.

Comment by dagger aleph — October 27, 2006 #

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i already emailed you under my secret identity about the CD. i just wanted to thank you again for the CD. i can’t wait!

احب الموسيقي العربية

Comment by upyernoz — October 28, 2006 #

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! وأنا كمان

Comment by dagger aleph — October 28, 2006 #

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I was just thinking that if dagger aleph and upyernoz hadn’t already “met” that they should.

Comment by Chris — October 28, 2006 #

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