Search - Souad Massi :: Acoustic: Best of Souad Massi

Seductively beautiful

Ehab Bandar | Oakland, CA United States | 11/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The voice of Souad Massi, the Algerian born singer, songwriter and guitarist, is a reminder of what world music can and should be. This new CD features an eclectic mix of Arabic, French, and Western influences. The songs showcase an array of instruments, from the acoustic guitar to the dumbak (hand drum), sung and played in Massi's own direct and no nonsense way. This album is a compilation of acoustic and live versions of recent songs that bring out both Massi's lush guitar playing and her stunning voice. Every song is a gem, especially Hayati (My Life) and Ghir Enta (I Only Love You).

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Acoustic Souad Massi "Live"

Stephen Reddy | Brisbane | 01/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title doesn't quite tell the whole story, since this is actually a live performance by one of world music's emerging stars. The pensive, pop-influenced singer-songwriter - originally from Algeria, but now based in France - turned up the volume a while ago when she toured Britain on the African Soul Rebels tour. Yet it's in unplugged settings that she is at her most potent. With the accompaniment reduced to guitar, lute and percussion, she is free to commune with herself without distractions. Raoui has seldom sounded purer and more heartfelt.



1. Denya Wezman - That's Life

2. Hayati - My Life

3. Yemma - Mummy I Lie To You

4. Bladi - My Country

5. Matebkiche - Don't Cry

6. Raoui - Storyteller

7. Dar Dgedi - Grandfather's House

8. Hagda Wala Akter - There's WOrse

9. Amessa - A Day Will Come

10. Ghir Enta - I Only Love You

11. Ech Edani - I Shouldn't Have Fallen In Love With You

12. Ya Kelbi - Oh! My Heart"

This music blows me away

Mark Hammond | Chambersburg, PA USA | 09/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About a year ago, my French class was assigned the film "Inch' Allah dimanche." Almost everybody in Dr. Millerski's class was asking where they could get that music. The film was about an Algerian immigrant woman living in France during the 1970's, and the underlying music was what I later learned was "Raoui - Storyteller" from this CD. This music has a persuasive but haunting quality to it. In a way it is like American folk music, but then it is sung in both French and Arabic.



It took me some time after making inquiries until I found out more about the music. Once I knew, I bought the music. I not only bought the music, but I told my French professor about it, and I sent an e-mail to a friend who is spending her junior year abroad in Toulouse, France, to let her know that I made this wonderful purchase."