Customer Reviews

Belly Dance! The Best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra

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I was very happy when I discovered Smithsonian Folkways was putting out a collection of George Abdo's music. The Best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra Belly Dance! is an excellent compilation of this most influential musician. The music is intended for belly dancing, although it is also great for the discerning listener. George Abdo and his contemporaries often placed full dance routines on their albums (this compilation is no exception) which provide plenty of opportunity for dancers to demonstrate their prowess.

George Abdo was also very influential in the worldbeat genre. Although the music is acoustic and performed with traditional musical instruments like the oud, darbuka, and bouzouki, the sound is not traditional. The sound fits into a genre fellow performer Eddie Kochak called Ameraba. He mixes up different world sounds, coming up with something groundbreaking. He combines Turkish, American, Sephardic, Greek, Armenian, Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, and Greek sounds with his crooning voice and diverse instrumentation.

George's background was in both pure Arabic music and rhythm and blues singing. Thus it's no surprise that his belly dancing songs are tinged with North American music sensibilities. In "Ruh Tum Bi Salama" (Go In Peace), his voice even reminds me of Tom Jones' heavy-handed masculine sensuality.

The music has a very 60s and 70s feel to it--not in the disco or psychedelic sense, but in the now retro belly dance sense. The music is still fantastic for dancing, but listening to the music makes me think not of dancers in heavily-beaded designer bedleh, but of dancers in homespun costumes made with coins, bells, and chain mail. Indeed, the dancer on the cover (Juliana, I do believe) looks like she's wearing a home-made costume, with dollar store plastic bangles and her bra covered with a purchased Egyptian hip scarf.

I think dance costuming trends are returning to this thrifty look. Perhaps dancers will also return to the tried and true sounds of George Abdo. I can only hope Smithsonian Folkways decides to put out compilations of George's contemporaries, like Eddie Kochak, Artie Barsimalian, and Mohammed El-Bakkar.

This album brings back so many wonderful memories of the years I spent playing the oud in George's Flames of Araby Orchestra. I was privileged to record three albums with George and the band during the mid to late 1970's.
Smithsonian Folkways is to be congratulated for putting out this first rate CD compilation of the Best of George Abdo. Although George is no longer with us, I know he would be proud of this recording. Everyone I've talked to who has listened to this CD rates it extremely high in terms of the music presented. George's talent in arranging and producing these songs becomes evident immediately. I know that professional belly dancers, teachers and students alike will appreciate the variety of rhythms found on this recording, especially those that you would not normally associate with a regular belly dance routine. The Bolero beat of "Sahirrnee" comes to mind immediately.
Even though George was a stickler concerning even the minor details in an arrangement, he also allowed each musician a great deal of freedom to improvise during solo segments. George believed the music should be an exciting experience for the dancer as well as the listener. We, as musicians, were able to create that excitement in the way we approached the music in general, and our solos in particular.
Special recognition should go to Anne K. Rasmussen, who compiled, annotated, and produced this CD for Smithsonian Folkways. Her incites into middle eastern culture and her experience as an ethno-musicologist have resulted in the best and most thorough set of liner notes I have ever seen for a recording of this type. Bravo to Anne and Smithsonian Folkways!
Somewhere, I know George is smiling at us for enjoying the music he created so artistically. Thank you, George, for letting me be a part of what you created.

My discovery of George Abdo and the Flames of Araby Orchestra dates back to 1973 when I bought the 33 1/3 vinyl record, "The Best of Belly Dance" produced by Monitor Records. A girlfriend was learning 'belly dance' and needed a partner for practice, I joined her in this adventure. One can guess, it received a lot of playing time! I am so pleased to discover this Smithsonian Folkways Recording which is a masterpiece. It is a valuable collection of tsiftetelli (belly dance) music from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia, Greece and Turkey, along with impressive jazz stylizations of the highest caliber. This CD is filled with world class music that is sensuos, alluring, mysterious ... excitng ... provocative and enticing.

The creativity and artistic talents of these fine musicians is demonstrated on both traditional and modern instruments. One can hear the oud (Middle Eastern lute), qanun (similar to hammered dulcimer or zither), darbukha (type of drum), and bouzouki (Greek lute-like instrument) along with modern instruments, the piano, guitar, bass and drums. For me, the Middle Eastern rhythms played on the violin adds an unexpected and magical sound to complete this musical experience. Favorite tracks on this CD are:"Raks Araby" (Arabic Dance), "Hadouni Hadouni", "Sahirrne" (Bewitched), "Raks Mustapha" (Mustapha's Dance), "Noora Ya Norra", and "Dio Cardia" (Two Hearts). Listening to 75 minutes of this Middle Eastern musical feast, I understand why George Abdo is known as "the King of Belly Dance Music". Most highly recommended. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

I have performed to Raks Araby - very danceable number easy to choreograph. Classic rhythms very happy music very upbeat. Great for beginning to intermediate belly dancers.

How exciting that George's music has been re-issued on CD! I performed and taught in RI and Boston during the years George was at the Averof and always used his records while teaching. His music is lyrical and lovely with distinct rhythms that are especially easy for beginners to follow.

For dancers who are learning to play their zils (finger cymbals) this CD is a must. The zil-playing is excellent. Is that Kasim we hear on zils?
I'm new at downloading music and wonder how to get the notes that are normally on a CD jacket. I'm curious to see who the backup musicians are...from the reviews I know that Ed Melikian is one. Who are the others?

I had all George Abdo's albums in the '70s when I first learned to do Oriental dance and was delighted to find this dvd....his rhythms are geared to the western ear and there is enough variety for most dancers.

If you're starting to learn belly dance, this is a perfect album to buy for use in practice and performance. The variety of cultures represented in the music, as well as the variety of song styles, is a perfect introduction to the wide range of music associated with belly dance. Buy this, dance to every song, and you'll be well on your way to preparing for any song a band could throw at you. It's impossible to sit still while listening to Abdo--he'll drag the dance out of you whether you want it or not, and you'll find yourself smiling and wishing for an audience, some sequins, and a pair of harem pants. Shimmy shimmy.

My teacher recommended that I practice bellydancing to George Abdo since he arranged and played for American audiences. This compilation is wonderful. Abdo's orchestra includes musicians from various Middle Eastern countries playing traditional instruments that are comfortable to Western ears. The 15 cuts include vocals, instrumentals, boleros, dance suites, dabka, love ballads, etc. Don't miss the 25-page information-packed booklet that is included. A classic must-have album of bellydance music of the 1970's.

...and was thrilled to find it available on CD. 35 years later it's still fantastic. The best belly-dancing music I've ever heard.

Dont let the gaudy album cover scare you away! The name George Abdo is synonymous with great bellydance music and your music collection is not complete without him. Seriously.

Whether you are tribal or oriental or somewhere in between you will love this vintage "harem girl" style bellydance CD. The music is exotic and intoxicating, the finger cymbals astounding. George Abdo never disappoints with his warm vocals and amazing Flames of Araby Orchestra!! A total classic.