Crescent Moon

Omar Faruk Tekbilek | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: December 8, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Celestial Harmonies
• ASIN: B00000DHIU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,755 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #84 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Turkey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh approach to tradition, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crescent Moon (Audio CD)

Like "Mystical Garden," this CD is just about perfect. Most of the material is firmly based in tradition, but it's given a stellar performance by virtuoso (and fabulously creative) musicians. The electronics are used to enhance rather than drown the acoustic instrumentation, and the only synthesizer-based piece, "Salute to the Sun," is stylistically akin to Middle Eastern vocal music. Also, the CD is nicely balanced between the spiritual, the sensual, and the downright funky (like "Tamzara"). It's a thorough pleasure to listen to, and if you're a dancer it'll have you up and moving within thirty seconds (well, it did me!). My only complaint is that there isn't a list of who's playing what instrument for each track, or any explanation of the songs themselves: I enjoy music more if I know something about its background, and I'm still a beginner where Middle Eastern music is concerned. (And why, oh why, isn't there a list of songs on the back cover of the CD? This is true of every Celestial Harmonies CD I own, and I find it highly annoying to have to pull out and unfold the booklet to find the song I want. Get with it, folks!!) Other than these minor quibbles, I enjoy this CD thoroughly, and I know it's one I'll listen to often.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A peak example of 'celestial' music rooted in the tradition, February 6, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crescent Moon (Audio CD)

Tekbilek brings out again the best of traditional Islamic-Turkish music. With his extraordinary ability of interpretation and mastery on ney, saz and drums, among other instruments, he never betrays the traditional form while, at the same time, blowing a new spirit into it. In addition to the masterly performance of traditional instruments, Briane Keane is also to be congratulated for his 'behind-the-closed-doors' contribution.

In this albume, baglama (or saz, a lute instrument of Turkish folk music) makes its presence felt in tracks 1 and especially 5, 'Baglama Delight' which is no less sweeter than the Turkish delight!

Hasan Isikkut, the kanun player of the group, has given another example of celestial music in track 7 to which you can listen almost endlessly.

If you know Tekbilek, you will not be diasppointed.

I. Kalin.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faruk RULES!, July 17, 2000

By 

Nirvana (Sarasota, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crescent Moon (Audio CD)

....if I may be so cliche! He just gets better, and this CD is for ANY collection of ethnic music. Frame drum,doumbek and nay; just to name a few of the instruments played (superbly).....Don't like the nay? This will even please sensitive, western ears. Dancers will find that unusually sensual and 'something special' to dance to. This CD will hold any fan of Mr. Tekbilek until the next one comes!