Blue Flame (Dig)

Simon Shaheen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ark 21
• ASIN: B00005K9QU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,617 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > World Music > Africa > Egypt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIDDLE EASTERN VIRTUOSITY, June 12, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Flame (Dig) (Audio CD)

This new release by respected oud and violin master Simon Shaheen, with his band Qantara, could go a long way in popularizing Arabic/Middle Eastern music in the West. Building on the composition and arrangement techniques that he established on his earlier recordings, Shaheen leads his ensemble through a wonderful program of pieces that take as their foundation the time-honored traditions of the music of Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Morrocco and other cultures of the region, mixing them with a nice dose of jazz and improvisation, but never allowing the Western influences to overshadow the heritage of this beautiful, soulful music.

Led by Shaheen's oud and violin, the group also includes guitar, bass, flute, nay and sundry percussives -- and there are nice additions on sax, trumpet, piano, buzuq and violin from some very capable guests. Shaheen is definitely the leader here -- no doubt about it -- but he makes sure that the other fine musicians are given a chance to shine as well. These pieces have as their heartbeat the rhythms of North Africa and the Middle East -- the work of the several percussionists carry them along nicely.

Shaheen's work on oud is breathtakingly precise and emotive -- some of his passages are unbelievably fast, but the listener never gets the feeling that he is grandstanding. There is a melodic flow and beauty to these pieces that only a true master can give them. His violin work is exceptional as well.

On one notable previous outing, Shaheen undertook the monumental challenge of bringing the music of beloved Egyptian composer Mohammed Abdel Wahib to Western listeners. Critics at the time thought that cd would be his breakthrough -- perhaps the time was just not right, for that was an excellent recording as well. If this cd gets enough exposure, it could do the trick -- there are several tracks here that could easily find a niche on American radio, particulary some of our wonderful NPR stations, whose musical vocabulary seems to be quite a bit wider than commercial radio.

This is an incredible recording -- listen and enjoy, and be borne away...

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Record, September 6, 2001

By 

Peter Savage "seriously" (Near Portland, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Flame (Dig) (Audio CD)

I bought this rather nervously, thinking it might be another of those irritatingly tasteless East-West fusion messes. But, it's not. Shaheen is a fantastic oud and violin player, and he shows good taste at every turn. Every now and then you'll find yourself noticing the occasion bebop change and jazz inflection, but the feel is strongly Arabic, and the playing inventive and intelligent. I'd recommend this to anyone who is bored with over-marketed rubbish from worn-out Western 'stars.'

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transformative, August 3, 2001

By 

Margaret Wolfson (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Flame (Dig) (Audio CD)

Simon Shaheen's new album, BLUE FLAME, is transformative--it transforms instruments, transforms listeners, transforms the concept of "fusion" music...it goes where few "fusion" recording go--not only does Shaheen successfully blend eastern and western instruments (a difficult feat), but he really creates a new genre with his fantasy for oud and string quartet--classical western infused with REAL Arabic music. Altogether lovely. A gem of an album. Two words: BUY IT!