WATCH: The Many Girlfriend Of Kathem Al Saher

Iraqi composer singer and now reality TV star Kazem Al Saher is a charmer, he is well known for his touching and epic romantic songs. He has been in the business for 20 plus years and he have had dozens of hits and many great albums. He is not a guy who likes to talk too much about himself in interviews and such he seems like a down to earth guy. But in his music video he holds nothing back, always with gorgeous ladies.

He is a happily married man with a lovely family and a recent grandchild given to him by his older son Wissam. This family man has had many musical collaborations with lead female artists. Sometimes he has loaned them his music, sometimes he would sing with them on stage. Let's take a look at some of his most famous lady muses:

1. Latifa from Tunis, she was the first lady Kathem Al Saher has worked with. He has sang with her and has composed songs for her. She was a huge name and he was starting up his career then. They are best of friends.  كاظم الساهر /البرت هول 1997 / ياقدس
2. Egyptian songstress Ghada Raghab was next on the list. Kathem has comended her voice and has given her a musical piece. It was a lovely collaboration from a guy who has been around the block and a new voice then. لمـــــاذا ؟ - غادة رجب  كاظم الساهر غاده رجب - ابعد عني  
3. Magida El Roumy is a huge star and has sang a number of poems by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbany--the go to guy for many of Kathem's gorgeous songs. Magida wanted to collaborate with Kazem so he gave her one of his best musical work to date--she added it to her 2012 album. Kathem was jazzed up about his collaboration and has spoke about it for a really long time وعدتك - ماجدة الرومي & كاظم الساهر & نزار قباني (HQ) كاظم الساهر وعدتك ماجدة الرومي 
4. Asma Laminawar, then, she was a local singer with a lot of talent. She had the local fame, but on the pan Arab music radar, she was unnoticed. They did a song together in early 2007-2008 and then they performed it on stage in Morocco. It was an instant hit, so Kathem doubled down and did another song with this Moroccan delight in his 2009 album. Again it was one of the finest songs for that year, a classic. كاظم الساهر و اسماء المنور اشكو اياما المحكمة كاظم الساهر اسماء المنور 

"I'M Waiting" Nader Guirat Deserves The Wait

The year was 2008 when a young Tunisian man walked into the set of Star Academy season five and people let him into their homes. Nader did duet songs with just about all the stars one loves including Cheb Khaled,  Karl Wolf, Massari, Ahmed Al-Sherif. Nader left the show with a lot more experience and a bigger fan base that wanted to see more of the young artist.

This multi talented singer who has performed in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Arabic. Through the song below, one can track Nader's musical influence--Pop, Rock, Acoustic, Alternative, Metal, Classical Music, Oriental Music and Comédie Musicale.

And impressive turn in Nader's career is his collaboration with the with music arranger Michel Fadel and ‘The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine’, where the song video was shot. ‘L’Ange Perdu’ received best song of the year award from Tunisian radio stations

Now few years later, he is back with a new single in English and with an American singer whose vocals are a perfect match for Nader's. Nader showcased his guitar skills to my amusement, the guy is no poser, he is the real deal. He does have a true crossover appeal, as his language and multi-talents will open doors for him, he shows a lot of energy for live and accosting performances.

This year, along with Dylan Lloyd , a fellow contestant in Crimea Music Fest, Nader released his most recent work “I’m Waiting”. A passionate song that shows another perspective of Nader’s promising music talent. And it doesn’t end there, this multi-cultural music talent still has a few projects up his sleeve His new album is due to drop soon, I know foe which I will be waiting.

“I’m Waiting” was written by Nader Guirat and his friend Dylan Lloyd, the song was mastered and mixed by another freind who likes this kind of hot music, Aymen El Guedri. This is a song two friends who like music and have a passion for good projects came up with. America's Dylan Lloyd featured in his ballad a new comer that goes by the name Nader Guirat who also co-wrote this track

So where do two musicians like this meet? Don't worry, they mean on something called the famous TV show in Ukraine called "Crimea Music Fest" last September 2011. I like this song, it sounds like what would a rock band working in a garage can produce. 

Nader Guirat feat Dylan Lloyd - I'm Waiting

The Hit Show "The Voice" Gets The Arab Version

or maybe it's the Lebanese version. What has been done right so far, is the judges, the management has picked 4 awesome names in Arabic music who truly can sing and have a reputation for their strong voices and their musical knowledge.  AS far as the business is concerned, the intellectual property rights of the show belong to Talpa Holding, while Sony Pictures Television (STP) Arabia- representing Talpa formats in the region - is the co-production company.

This American show is now landing in Arabia and the masses are unsure what to make of another show that will waste more of people's time to pick talents who might never make it in this world again. MBC is hosting the show in the same format, 4 judges, they hear the voice, not see the person singing and then make their call. The person who likes the voice will be a mentor for the guest.

They already had a press conference about it and people are starting to talk about this high caliber show with big names like of Assi Hallani (Lebanon), Kathem Al Saher (Iraq), Sherine (Egypt) and Saber El Robaei (Tunisia). I would not watch the show, but I will follow its news.

Following the exclusive rights to broadcast the international TV show 'The Voice' in the MENA region on MBC1, MBC Group revealed the four star “coaches” of the show:

Kadim Al Sahir, Sherine Abdel Wahab, Saber Al Roba’ei and Assi El Hellani. The program will be hosted by Egyptian actor Mohamed Karim. This is a sing of the great recession that Arabic music have been seeing since the Arab Spring started.


  #MBC1- The Voice

Do We Really Need Saber El Robaey?

Saber was cool for a second in 2000 and then cool again in 2003, but then he not done anything fresh in almost a decade. He is a Tunisian star who has done little for his home country, he lives and works in Lebanon. And now since he has stayed mum on the Arab Spring, he is back speaking up about politics, but in the overtime.

I do not really know what he brings to the pop game anymore? I just cannot connect with his new stuff and feel his voice seems tired. What might be helpful for Saber is not volumes, but quality. I do not think he has found anything that would make him a star again.

watch his presser and interview talking about his concert in Lebanon. I do think he is overrated, but not because he is not talented, but rather because he has yet to challenge himself once again.
صابر الرباعي: ما يحصل في تونس ليس من أهداف الثورة

Tunisian Songstress Bahaa AlKafy 2012 Single

Thanks to pop singer Baha Alkafy, yellow is not officially back in Arabic pop. the bright color of the spring and summer is making her new promotional poster for new single. Bahaa just released a sweet pop song that has heart and soul. It has a sweet melody and a good beat, and then Bahaa voices kicks in, the songs glows happiness.

She comes form Tunisia, but you would not be able to tell had you not been watching the Star Academy 5 years ago. She is a young songstress from the country of Jasmine, and she is back to show is. K Music singed her up and has worked with her on the new single.

Bahaa is not a new comer, she has a number of songs under her name and at least one music video. She has soft vocals that can channel her vibrant emotions. This is a romantic song about the fears of young people that others might butt in and ruin their young romance.
 بهاء كافي هو احنا ليه

A Dead Song For The Not So Dead, Fallen

Here's a tip, if you want to make a big song, you would have to do more than call it a big song. It has to actually live up to the promise by delving a good experience.

Getting young guns to perform might work, if these names have chemistry or if their names match up well together. Three voices from three Arab countries lined up to do this song. the first from Tunisia, the second from Egypt and the third form Libya. The female voice goes to The Tunisian performance.

I think this is largely a dead song, the music turned it into a ghost town, the walking dead. The slow speed and the crying voices, do not help....see how many hits this song got--not many 320!

Weak, this song was made as a favor for some young guns who thought they would make it big. They sure mean well, but this is not the song to do it with.
أوبريت هدية شهيد

Aljazeera Network Makes Revolutionary Music Too

Aljazeera Network had a role in the Arab spring, most Arabs have an opinion about what Aljazeera is and what they are not. their news coverage can be sensational at times, but that's part of leading the news and being where few dare.

the positive was in Cairo during the 18 days of stand with the Mubarak regime. On Libya, aljazeera started to lose people, the same in Yemen too. but none done more damage to the network as much as their role in Syria has.

Politics aside, Aljazeera has produced a song for Hamid El Shari, a song about freedom for Libya, Egypt, Tunis, and Yemen. This is not up in arms song, it's a hopeful song with a bold call for unity and marching towards the Libya town of Sirit.

This is is a pan Arab song for the Arab spring.
حميد الشاعري -- الحرية - نسخة بالجيتار فقط

The One Marwa The Rocks, Marwa AlSoghair

I can name three singers named Maraw! How can you name? Let's see Marwa Nasr, Marwa, and Marwa Bin Soghyeer. They make different kind of music and sometimes sell. But the one lady that is comfortable doing cover of old classical Arabic songs and do so with grace is the one and the only Tunisian on the list.

She is not nearly as a big name as the other ones, but that's not to say she is not well known. I happen to like her style and her warmth. She does not really get an opportunity to show her true talent, and that's too bad.

Watch Marwa's cover of this Abdel Halim oldie that I would say 80 percent of all Arabs have memorized. She might have recorded this during her stint at the Star Academy show few years ago.
Marwa- مروى بن صغير-بحلم بيك

Bizarre Comments By Tunisia's Minister of Culture

I love Tunisia and I love the people from that country who have made all Arabs proud of them and their work. Now, let's put this aside and watch this video interview with the Minister of Culture in Tunisia who has ties of Islamic groups. Mehdi Mabrouk sounds like a man of reason, until I saw his recent comments on this video.

When asked if he would bring in Nancy Ajram to take part of the Carthage Music Festiva, he said No! Elissa, No over my dead body and he had the same reply when asked if he would bring in Fadel Shaker too. That;'s all fine with me, these are people who perfrom for money and I could care less.

Now, the trouble started when two other names have been brought up. The Minister announced he would discuss the possibly of bringing in Lebanese composer and singer Melhim Barakat And he would even consider Lutfi Bouchnaq too.

I think this is insane, Melhim is a gifted musicians, but he is drinker and has no shame speaking about his habit and entertaining those drunk people was his most poplar gig. As for Lutfi his connection for the ousted dictator of Tunisia is hard to miss. He has asked the dictator to run again and has sang for him many times.

Other stars he is also ruling out, Tamer Hosny and Sherine. But he would consider inviting Fayrouz--one of the few sane thing he has said. This is a decision that belongs to the Tunisian people, we have no bone to pick, we are just point to the inconsistency of politicians. If they want not to have concerts, they can do that too.

مهدي مبروك_ هؤلاء لن يشاركوا في مهرجان قرطاج

Marc Black Crafts An Epic For Bouazizi

Few Arab singers told the story of the young man who set himself on fire protesting poverty and corruption in Tunis. Here's an American song that tells the story of Mohamed Bouazizi, the young Tunisan man who set himself on fire and changed the entire Arab World and with it the world. This track was written and recorded in New York by artists who watched the whole thing unfold and were inspired.

Musicians:
Marc Black on guitar and vocals, Brahim Fribgane on oud and percussion, Steve Gorn on bamboo flute, Don Davis on bass clarinet, Eric Parker on drum kit and Michael Esposito on electric bass.

The song is titled Sometimes A Spark takes you on a journey that chronicles the inception of the Arab Spring in that little Tunisian town to the streets of Cairo ending in the lobbies of Washington DC.

I spoke to Marc Black about his song, here's what he had to say

I read about Mohamed Bouazizi in the New York Times and I was immediately moved. I wanted to express how connected I felt to what was going on in Tunisia and, by that time, in Egypt.

Mohamed's story reminded me of the Rosa Park's incident in America in the 1950's The symbolism of an elderly black woman who refused to go to the back of the bus changed the world. Sometimes that's all it takes. And that's how I came up with the title…Sometime a Spark.

Then I decided to put the verses in a minor key and work with some men who are experienced in music from that part of the world. I hired Brahim Fribgane to play percussion and oud; and Steve Gorn to play wooden flute. I blended them with my regular band (from Woodstock, NY) to express the American musical landscape. This seem like the best way express our solidarity.

This has been a wonderful experience for me. I do hope I get the opportunity to sing this song in person in Tunisia one of these days.

Sometime A Spark

Marc received lots of positive feedback after posting on Facebook. One note came from a Tunisian man, Zied Mhirsi:

I just heard your song and I have to say that we LOVE it. This song is going to have an amazing effect on the Tunisians and the Egyptians who will hear it. This is the first time, we hear an american singing about our revolution and telling the story to his fellows. You are making us feel so proud of what we achieved and of what some have died for. Thank you.

And another one:
T.P.A.O (Tunisian Press Agency Observer) المستقلة Hi Marc .. We have found your song "Sometime a Spark" on an FB wall (Tunisia Live) .. we have eventually shared it .. Thank you for your song, for telling our story, and being clear that this is not an arab thing anymore.. simply a global issue .. Thank you Sir.

Nessim Bouslama also interviewed Marc on RTCI.