Customer Reviews

Armenians on 8th Avenue

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The music on this CD is excellent. The songs, their lyrics, are traditional Turkish/Armenian/Greek from the time of the Ottoman Empire and after it. The pamphlet inside the CD says that the CD may shock Turks and Armenians alike as it is a compilation of Armenians singing and playing what are traditionally considered "Turkish" tunes. In a perfect world, this CD would do no such thing. In a perfect world, we would all know that the music played by Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and Turks from the 18th to early 20th centuries was a compilation, a glorious synthesis, of musical traditions. This CD is a testament to music's most honorable capability: that of bringing peoples together.

Yes, this wonderful and truly magical CD is all great Turkish music, played by accomplished expatriate Armenians. For me, this really incredible music reminds me (fondly) of rainy Sat. afternoons at my (Armenian) grandma's house, where these 78's were constantly on the record player. More importantly, it allows us to hear the music of the past and of the Ottoman empire. Though this is 'city' music, it evokes much of the classical Turkish repertoire in an upbeat, honest and fun way. That it is played by Armenians is not a surprise, as Armenians originate in the geographical space called Anatolia, having been there for two or three millenia before the Turks arrived from Central Asia in the 11th century. So, 900 years of mingling and sharing allows us to question what is or is not truly Turkish or Armenian. The answer may be lost in history, but this CD isn't! Liner notes are informative about the artists and also include lyrics. It's very kool and highly recommended if you love old authentic music of the Middle East.

a rare and fantastic collection of tavern songs (meyhane in turkish) from the first half of the 20th century and earlier...all recorded in the greek owned night clubs along 8th and 9th ave. in nyc from the '30's and 40's. the fact alone that predominantly armenian musicians are singing in turkish in greek clubs alone makes this a sound that transcends national identities (despite what another reviewer says about it being turkish music)...these are songs that are familiar to all of the nationalities that were once part of the 'ottoman' world. rocking raucous recordings that are some of the best i have heard from this corner of the world...

This CD is completely Turkish. The only Armenian thing about it are the singers. It may deserve 5 stars, I cannot be the judge of that. It should be filed under Turkish music.