Traditional Songs From Syria [Import]

zein al-jundi is one of those people who manage to accomplish so much in their lives it makes you wonder whether they have some direct connection to the gods. Her fantastic musicianship is only one aspect of her busy life. I use her songs on my world music program, Caravan, on WSUM 91.7 FM, Madison, Wis.

http://caravanweb.blogspot.com

The instrumentation on this CD is wonderful, but I have to agree with the other reviewer that commented on Al-Jundi's voice. It can best be described as "nasal & droning". I thought that perhaps this is the way traditional Syrian songs are sung and tried to appreciate it for it's authenticity, but alas, the droning quality of the singer's voice doesn't change from song to song and it gets old quickly. Hossam Ramzy arranged the traditional songs and produced the CD. This lends credence and support to Zein Al-Jundi's effort, but the CD just does not have enough variety or vocal sophistication to keep one's interest.

Zein Al-Jundi was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. She began singing professionally at the early age of five when she was discovered by a local TV producer as a talent with a promising future. For the next twelve years, Ms. Al-Jundi became a household name on the Syrian radio and TV channels as well as concert halls in the capitol city of Damascus and elsewhere. During those years she won numerous singing competitions and sang a large repertoire of original music composed for her. In 1974, she was picked at the age of 13 by the Syrian government to be the soloist featured at the opening ceremony of the Roman amphitheater, Bosra after its renovation was completed. In spite of her teachers objection and others encouragement to take up singing as a serious profession, Ms. Al-Jundi stopped singing at the age of 17 in order to devote more time for her college studies. She moved to the US in 1982 where she attended the University of TX, Austin and completed her Bachelor's degree in Architecture and finished the course work of a Master's in Urban Design. Discovering that it was a passion which didn't die in spite of 18 long years of not singing, she made the decision to go back to her music in 1998. February, 1999 marked her first live concert in Austin, when she performed with George Sawa, the renowned Egyptian qanun player and the Austin Middle Eastern Ensemble to a sold out audience at UT's Jessen Auditorium.

At present time, Ms Al-Jundi is devoting more time to her music, which she not only sees as an incredible tool for self expression but also as an invaluable one in giving the world a glimpse of her beautiful culture. She plans and hopes to continue and further her music career with live performances in Austin as well as other cities in the US and abroad. She currently produces her own events through her music booking and production agency, WMD Productions, which she formed in 1997 with the goal of promoting world cultures through their music and dance. Her live performances in Austin have included many successful shows over the course of four years at La Zona Rosa, Austin Music Hall and St. Edward's University featuring both the traditional and contemporary repertoire of Arabic music.

-- calabashmusic site which also has downloads

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