Customer Reviews

Gypsy Fire

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is without question one of the best CDs I own, if not the best.

It's lots of fun to listen to. Those who are _completely_ new to middle eastern music might not like a few of the tracks the first time they hear them, but at least half of them are perfect for all audiences.

I recommend it to dancers of all levels: it's great for beginners because the pieces are classics they should be familiar with, and they're easy to dance to. At the same time, they're played with such energy and finesse that experienced dancers (who have heard them a million times) will have plenty to work with and won't be bored.

WARNING TO DANCERS: this CD can spoil you for other bands! Very few will play these songs with this much STYLE!

My personal favorite is Minoush, which has a great jazzy sound that reminds me of the photos of the "golden age" 8th avenue dancers from the 60s.

I noticed that Amazon didn't include track lengths (which I'm always interested in as a dancer), so here they are:

-Konyali 2:34
-Beledy 3:05
-Minoush 3:37
-Istemem Babacim 4:10
-Rompi Rompi 4:13
-Fincan 4:38
-Nihavent 4:48
-siseler 4:59
-Kadife 5:54
-Muhabbet 8:13 (the first 2:16 are a taqsim)

I hope they put out a sequel some day.

Right now you are reading reviews for one of my very favorite recordings. This is a "Super Group" in the most real sense of the phrase. Not in that ego-fest, masturbatory rock&roll overhyped guitar-solo after overhyped guitar-solo sort of supergroup way, though. What you have here is a gathering of musical giants who give everything towards the good of the group, towards the good of the overall sound.

Rhythmically this cd is a dream. Melodically it's just as good. Richard Hagopian (oud), Omar Faruk Tekbilek (ney and zurna), and Yuri Yunakov (alto saxophone) are probably the most well-known musicians here (and they are all brilliant, each providing many highlights throughout this cd), but I want to make special mention here of Harold Hagopian (violin) who may be overlooked in the shadow of his father, Richard. I first got turned onto the Hagopians from the Armenian Music Through The Ages cd, again under Richards name, but his son Harold is a stunning violinist. This isn't one of those "Oh my mom and/or dad is famous so I got lucky and have a career because of them" situations. Harold is a flat-out brilliant violinist.

Aside from just being fantastic music, I also love the spirit of this cd. This is such joyful, jubilant music. All brought about because some people of different backgrounds and ethnicities realize that diversity and "the whole" can reap amazing rewards. You will never ever get depressed from listening to this cd.

I too am puzzled by the earlier "too authentic" comment. "Too authentic" doesn't even exist in my world. I fear this comment probably came from having a case of Ry Cooder-itis. You know, really bland guy with some fame decides to water a certain "ethnic music" down so that it is more popular and palatable to the American mainstream.

This cd is one of those perfect examples of The Anti-Ry Cooder syndrome.

I do know that I listen to alot of recordings that would not appeal to many people. That's fine. This cd though, this is one of those things that I think a vast number of people would love if they were exposed to it. If you're on the fence about whether or not to get it, just buy it. I think your chances of not enjoying it are very slim.

This cd is a masterpiece of ethnic music..First of all we have Richard Hagopian here..He is Armenian and he plays the lute here.He has a very diffrent and nice voice..He speaks Turkish in Armenian accent which is very cool in my opinon.Hagopian is a master on Turkish and Armenian folks songs.His repertoire is very large.
Second we have Omer Faruk Tekbilek here..He plays the zurna..
We also have Bulgarian saxophonist Yuri Yunakov in the album..He almost makes his saxophone sing!! in the last track "Siseler".In turksih folk songs clarinet is usually played..I would also expect to hear clarinet in this cd but instead of it Yunakov plays the saxophone but it is ok because saxophone is also a good choice and nice match here.
In fact this cd is a pack of famous musicians..Whom else do we have?Also percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan and musician Ara Dinkjian.He plays the guitar in this album.Dinkjian is also the founder of Night Ark.. In my eyes the musicianship is almost too good to be true in this album..The instruments are played in such a good and exact,precise style; the way they had to be in this kind of music.The recording quality is exceptional as well.In fact when this cd was first released in 1995 it was a bestseller in world music sales for a long time.I accept that as a very normal fact because it is almost impossible to create a bad album with so many talented musicians together..
This cd is a real blend of turkish,armenian,greek and arabic music in my eyes..Any turk,armenian ,greek or arabic person would like the tunes here..The reality is that this kind of music is real ISTANBUL music..I call Istanbul music because once all of those mationalities used to live in Istanbul.Maybe this cd is a testament to those old good days.At least I feel so ..
This album is by Traditional Crossroads which is a great recording company trying to protect the music of Ottoman Empire.They also have other records by Hagopian in their cd catalogue.I would strongly recommend all Hagopian albums under the Traditional Crossroads label.They have recently released new albums in which Hagopian performs(Kef Time Detroit and Kef Time Hartford ).Also Kef Time is a legendary album.I feel grateful to Crossroads for getting these albums out.

If you're involved in belly dancing -- whether as a performer or just an appreciative audience -- many of these tunes will be familiar to the point of banality: they're the old staples, like "Rompi Rompi," that dancers have been undulating to for the past half-century. But on this album they're transformed and refreshed by an outstanding group of musicians from various Middle Eastern countries (mostly Turkish and Armenian). The musicians' skill, energy, and heartfelt appreciation of the music result in an album that's listenable and danceable all the way through.
I'm a belly dance student, and had heard selections from this album numerous times in class and at performances before I finally purchased it. I put it on the CD player and sat down to read ... but after the first few tracks I quit reading, and by the last three I was improvising dances all over my living room. It really IS that good.

This CD combines several amazing musicians. The melodies are catchy and the taksims are simply divine. It's a shame that someone commented on Richard Hagopian's vocals being "too authentic". If western ears are listening to eastern music they shouldn't expect it to sound like the music they typically listen to. I had the incredible experience of playing in an ensemble that had Richard and Harold Hagopian as guest artists. Richard Hagopian's vocals are excellent on the album and even more impressive and hauntingly beautiful in person. If you want music that sounds western, don't get this CD. But if you want to expose yourself to the wonderful music of another part of the world, you should definitely buy this CD. It features some of the greatest artists in Middle Eastern music and, truly, in any genre.

I suppose its ironic that this album is listed in the Turkish section considering that the oud player/vocalist Richard Hagopian is Armenian. Hagopian, Tekbilek, and all the others here (including the fabulous Bulgarian saxophonist Yuri Yunakov) can put those racial differences aside to create some authentic dance music. The drive and rhythm of songs like "Rompi Rompi" is addictive. Come to think of it this whole record is addictive. I think it is extremely unfortunate that the previous reviewer described Hagopian's voice as "too authentic." Hagopian has a wonderful sound, and if anything, his authenticity is to be rewarded, not frowned upon. In a day and age where its hard to get a good world music recording, this is a jewel in the rough. Fortunately these seasoned veterans didn't take the easy way out and saturate their record with keyboards, drum machines, and other sappy, non-traditional things! If you like this check out Yuri Yunakov's "New Colours in Bulgarian Wedding Music" and Richard Hagopian's "Best of Armenian Folk Music."

Gypsy Fire is a fantastic CD. The musicians who are on this label perform brilliantly, because of their knowledge of the music as well as thier emotional explosions that are the driving force behind these songs.

Udi Richard Hagopian has shown again his incredible talent and his passionate playing style which makes this CD so enjoyable to listen to. (Especially the song "Konyali"). His singing energies all who enjoy Anatolian music, as well as for those who will be listening to this music for the first time. He has impeccable control with respect to his Ud playing, and as well with his singing. Mr. Hagopian has truly given an excellent performance on this CD.

Overall, the balance of this group is fantastic as well as the technical mastery of each musician with respect to their instrument.

I highly recommened it.

As Mr. Wail says "a vast number of people would love if they were exposed to it", I am exposed to this recording by a friend during a car voyage. After a while I noticed that this music is not only good, but also rich in everyway. Especially three consequtive solos in song 'Siseler' are superb. One more point which is actually a bit disappointing is that the most of the reviewers express their thoughts on the album as a 'belly dancer's music'. I would go farther than that, and say "this is ethnic jazz", as far as my teacher taught me what jazz is. It's no way a background music, on the contrary a fest for the ears.

If you are looking for traditional songs with a gypsy flare, this is what you have been looking for! Many songs are a 9/8's rythm. There is a nice mix of fast and slow songs-all very dramatic. These songs have the ability to stir the spirit within. I dare you to try and suppress the urge to dance!

It's impossible for Tekbilek to do bad music, but unfortunately the vocalist on this recording is a little too authentic for western ears. All the pieces which are strictly instrumental are good. Otherwise, save your money for one of his other recordings.