Customer Reviews

"The Voice of Egypt": Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song, and Egyptian Society in the Twentieth Century (Chicago Studies in Ethnomusicology)

5 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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Virginia Danielson had succeeded in presenting Umm Kulthum to us in ways we never anticipated before. She went in depth describing how the Egyptian society in the twentieth century impacted Arabic songs and how Umkulthum fit in all of this. In this book, I learned more about Um Kulthum the person, the wife, the daughter, and the singer. How strong she was and powerful. Reading the book helped me understand more about here music and songs, appreciate more here voice and how she chooses here songs lyrics. This is a should get book.

This book is a wonderful reference source for those who wish to understand Middle Eastern Music and what sets it apart. The life of this great singer is well documented and researched.

This book is not the most palatable work to read. Danielson fails to invite the reader who has little previous experience with Arab culture. Although there are some interesting moments I would strongly suggest becoming more familiar with Arab culture before tackling this book. Danielson seems to be writing for her ethnomusicology friends and forgot to invite the rest of us.