What I'm Listening to Today: 2/9/04

Submitted by celtchic on Mon, 02/09/2004 - 02:32
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I've taken a short hiatus from keeping up my music journal. Work has picked up and I've not had much time. Needless to say, I've still been listening to music everyday, I just haven't been keeping track. Here's a little snack for those who have been wondering what's happened to my reports.

Belly Dance - The Best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra - 1:15 P.M. - I lately have had an appetite for something with a Middle Eastern flavor. I saw this on the shelf at the library and was excited to find something that might be slightly Indian. This is about the only thing they had that is Indian, so my choices were completely limited. It is a nice CD and I really enjoy the music, but I can't get over the fact that the sound quality is very lacking. It's a Smithsonian Folkways Recording, and they usually have a wide range of "raw" world music, meaning that it's not usually tampered with in a recording studio with editing tools, but straight from the artists' instruments and voices. I really want to hear more of this, but cleaned up a bit. In fact, I'd really like to listen to all of "The Bend it Like Beckham" soundtrack and perhaps a bit of Natacha Atlas. If anyone has any other recommendations for me on great Middle Eastern music, please let me know! Thanks!

Joan Baez - Ring Them Bells - 3:00 A.M. - This CD belongs to a co-worker. She offered to let me listen to it so I'm giving it a try. Keep in mind that in order for a CD to get a great review from me it has to be of a genre I enjoy. This is folk music, and while I do enjoy some, I'm not crazy about it in general. What I CAN say about Joan is that she has a crystal-clear sharp voice, very melodic and flexible to fit the style of song she is singing. I feel I can't review this album fairly as it isn't in my usual choice of styles, so it wouldn't be fair of me to say I did not enjoy it. It was nice of her to offer to let me listen to it. I NEVER turn down an offer to give a CD a spin. After all, the only way to learn about new music and to widen your horizons is to try something new for a change. I never would have tasted the flavors of some artists if it wouldn't have been for the sharing of music.