Search - Luis Delgado :: El Sueno De Al-Zaqqaq

Outstanding Arabic/world music

Thomas Gryn | Washington D.C., USA | 06/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Luis Delgado's "El Sueno de Al-Zaqqaq" (translated, "The Dream of Al-Zaqqaq") is an excellent example of how the recent increase of interest in 'world music' has made previously-unheard material accessible to Western audiences. The CD is a collection of the works of 11th-century Valencian poet Ibn Al-Zaqqaq set to music. Delgado plays on traditional Arabic instruments such as the santur and tar, which gives the music an exotic touch while complimenting the singing of Aurora Moreno and Mohame El Arabi Serhini, the principal vocalists. The range of Moreno and El Arabi Serhini is stunning, and they are equally adept at conveying the passion as well as the serenity of Al-Zaqqaq's poetry. An additional bonus on the CD insert is the story of Al-Zaqqaq, as well as English translations of the poetry sung in Arabic on the album. This CD is easily in the class of Vox's "Divine Rites" and Dudley/Coleman's "Songs from the Victorious City", and fans of either CD will find much to like in Delgado's work. Followers of Arabic and world music can only hope that a re-release of this CD will be forthcoming in the future, for, as Stephen Hill once said, "If you dream half as well as Al-Zaqqaq, you are indeed blest.""

El Sueno de Al Zaqqaq

paola marinangeli | 06/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful CD, rich of athmosphere. This music is perfectly executed by very talented performers you can listen this CD over and over again and any time ...''discover'' a new sound and a new emotion. A ''BIG BRAVO'' to Luis Delgado and all the other musicians playing in this CD so full of Poetry. Paola Marinangeli from Rome Italy"

Entrancing Traditional Instruments

Shahin M. Mowzoon | USA | 06/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered this album by listening to the samples on Amazon.com. I purchased it immediately! It seems to be a blend of ancient instruments and timeless chants. These haunting melodies are based on arabic poetry and traditional middle-eastern instruments such as ude and santoor/dolcimer. Highly recommended."