The Very Best of Amr Diab [IMPORT]

Amr Diab

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 2001)
• Original Release Date: December 11, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Arabia
• ASIN: B00005RVQ6
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,077 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #2 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Egypt
  #3 in	Music > World Music > Middle East > Arabic
  #29 in	Music > Imports > International

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars International Caliber, March 27, 2002

By	Hassan Galadari (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What is it about Amro Diab that attracts us to his work? He's not gifted with the best of voices out there and there are certainly more songs with a stronger theme than the ones he chooses to delve into. So the question, yet remains, what is it about him that makes us feel good when we listen to his music?

And the answer is right there. It's the music.

Diab realized that for the arabic music to achive stardom, he would have to merge a number of thematic music genres together. His first outtake was incorporating a latino flavor to his earlier 90 songs. That shot him up to fame, not just in his home country of Egypt, but throughout the Arab world. Though his act was reviled as being a rip off of the Gipsy Kings, none looked twice. As long as he was turning out catchy tunes, people were going for it. Add to the fact, his eloquent choice of women showcased in his video clips, I think that immortally rendered him a superstar in his own right

I didn't get to know how popular he was, until I walked into a club in Denver and was caught completely off-guard when I heard his song on the speakers and people dancing away. Diab reaized that embracing the latino flavor would work out well for him, and he was right.

With the rising Latin music coming out off the woodwork with the appearance of Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias, it is ironic that who actually tested the waters with this concept was someone with no latin in his bones. Recently, though, Diab has fallen back to imitate the very same superstars that he influenced first. If not in music, but in terms of clothing and setting and concept of his video clips.

This compilation of greatest hits, brings on a variety of work, spanning more than 4 albums. The best songs are showcased. The listener would not feel bored while going through this gemof an album. On the contrary, it just proves why Amro Diab is the Middle East's best selling modern artist.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Egyptian Pop for the World, August 2, 2005

By	C. S. Bloedorn "aurenta" (Catonsville, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this album because five years ago I spent four months in Cairo, Egypt, and every time I got into a taxi, there was a 50/50 chance that I would hear "Amarain." It was a catchy song, and got stuck in my head, despite the fact that I only understood one word out of every five. I decided to buy the album titled "Amarain" to check out the rest of Amr Diab's music. I fell in love with "Ana," which was also a single off of the album. "Ana" combines the Egyptian pop sound with Latino rhythms and a vaguely techno riff. It also has call-and-response and a driving beat. All in all, a great song. The rest of the album was very listenable too. So, I came back to the US, and lost the tape, much to my chagrin. This year, I was wandering around Amazon.com, and found the greatest hits. It had "Amarain" and "Ana" on it, so I decided to get it. Nearly every song is very good, and all are good. A few have a pre-packaged "Listen to this unspecific world music while selling cars or 'ethnic' food" feel, but they're still catchy. My husband, who only understands five (or so) words of Arabic, enjoys the insistent beat of Amr Diab. You can chill to it, you can dance to it, you can attempt to read the rather badly translated English lyrics, or you can just put it on in the car and drive to it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Arab voice, February 28, 2003

By	Peter S (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews

If anyone would want to appreciate Arabic songs, he must start with Amr Diab. Anyone who would listen to him would fall in love with his voice, the melody and the pain that is contained in it. Listen to his songs and you will for sure be one of his fans. I am not much of an Arabic music person, but this guy I love him. EVEY PENNEY IS WORTH IT FOR THIS CD.