Search - Rachid Halihal :: Arabian Music From Morocco

Playful Playing of Traditional Tunes

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 08/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rachid Halihal is one of those musicians who likes to do it all. Only a bassist is the side man for Halihal, who sings and performs on ud, violin, and darbuka and riq drums on this album, previously available as "Traditional Songs of Fez" and now on England's ARC label as "Arabian Music from Morocco." (He also trained on piano and nay flute.) Halihal, who was raised in Fes, Morocco, has recently moved to the United States after tours and long stays in Africa and Scandanavia. We have had many recordings of different musical styles from Morocco: gnawa, Sufi, classic arabo-andalusian, gharnati, taqtouqa jebeliya, Berber, and Jewish, among others. This one features traditional folk and popular songs common around Fes and northern Morocco; there is also an extended ud taksim improvisation. The North African 6/8 tempo is used for many of these pieces. Nothing is serious here; the mood is happy and sometimes funny. The album grows with repeated listening; it brings cheer.



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