Monday, January 16, 2006

Black and Blue

My only sin
Is in my skin
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What did I do
To be so black and blue?
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Louis Armstrong's words at a time and a place where I have never felt more racially profiled in my life.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Ariel Sharon is not feeling well


Jalal al-Rafai, al-Dustour (Jordan)

Friday, January 06, 2006

My date with the kamanche and classical Iranian music

Last month (I've been slow with the posting I know) I met with the Kamanche (کمانچه) and classical Iranian music in Haifa. I could do with a second date right about now.
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The kamanche is the only bowed string instrument in classical Iranian music. That night in December it was played by Mark Eliyahu; also on feature was Amir Shahsar, flutist and vocalist. One of the biggest things I took from the event (put on by Beit Al-Musica) was the tension between these two individuals. They were both tremendous artists in their own right, but it seemed that the stage on that night was just not big enough for the two of them.
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But they managed to tie it together well. And along with the Palestinian artist, Samir Makhoul on oud, some Tajik musicians, and a dancing queen stepping to Sufi rhythms, the sounds produced had my undivided attention.
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I'm willing to share December's date with the rest of you because music like this is too good to be kept to just one person - but I need your assistance: outside of putfile, how else can I do this?
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Mark Eliyahu on Kamanche

Amir Shahsar on flute


Amin Elayev (on Tajik percussion) looking over at Eliyahu doing his thing