Samira Tawfik's Best Hit Songs Are Here

I call her the dark pearl of Lebanese songs, the lady of Lebanon's other people, the line that rocked hard and  the original mountain side vocalist, and the legendary singer who continues to inspire the career of dozens of young Lebanese singers

Samira was not the hottest girl in the room, but what she might have lacked in good looks made up for in confidence and attitude that moved generations. Samira did not have a chance in making it in her home, so she made a habit of singing in Jordan and Syria where she has made a huge name for herself and then came back home and was treated as an iconic lady. Then she made movies too and did well then. Her first songs were recorded in Jordan using the Jordanian Bedouin style

Her career took her to all those fine places where the Lebanese expats live (In Australia she performed in front of Queen Elizabeth, in Mexico she performed too, in Venezuela she performed and was given an ward by the Parliament, she has also performed in France, London and Africa)

Samira is still alive with us, living at home but struggling with a number of health issues that come with age. She has made a lot of people happy and for that the people are grateful. A collection of her best and most famous songs is below

اجمل اغاني سميرة توفيق

Rawad Saab Is Looking For A Wife And He Needs Your Help

Rawad likes brand names, he is driving a Mercedes, wearing cool trendy gear, all to declare his intentions. He wants to get married and he is asking you folks to introduce him to her. He wants a sweet girl whom his parents would approve of. He does not have many pictures of his floating around the net--he should look into that.

Good manners, good looks, you gotta go with the Lebanese Rawad sings. Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Morocco all get a shout out in the song. Then the Arab Gulf gets its shout out too. Just marry an Arab girl that's the song if you could not find the Lebanese one It's a clever song to break into the show business. Arabs are suckers for such songs.

Rawad is a young and good looking lad, he would not find it hard to find a lady.

Rawad Saab - Baddi Etjawaz / رواد صعب - بدى إتجوز

Ozaina Al-Ali And How The Internet Loves Him

When a singer had so many YouTube action, I cannot help but notice the traffic. Most recently, I have seen a really sad music video by Ozaina Al-Ali. It seems that all the love Ozaina has been reciveding is due to one his style and two to his dialect. The guy is not a hot looking guy so that will slow down his fame and limit his influence on the power of his lyrics. Which means he will have a lot of dudes and older women for fans.

His dialect is the one used in Northern Iraq, even though he is Syrian. Certain parts of Syria do speak like they do in Iraq. Ozaina is a full grown man, not a boy star. So he is into the music, not much the show part of it. As Ozaina seems to really know his way with the lute.

Most recently Ozzaina released a new album in a Beirut concert. I cannot help but notice how the people behind the Assi Hallani page keep on hitting the "like" button for Ozaina...I like him to. A sad song is good for the soul every now and often.

 أني بعدك أذينة العلي 2010

LISTEN: Asala Nassri 2012 Album البوم اصاله - شخصيه عنيده

She called the album something of herself, "A Stubborn Soul", that's how the world sees the Syrian diva, and that's how she sees herself. Asala Nassri released her much talked about album of 10 tracks. There's a lot of dreamy romance, pop funk, and blues. But mostly this is supposed to be happy album, a personal one indeed. I love the new package, a new image, and a cool logo with a major media marketing roll-out, I am now thinking Asala is finally joining the online world and leaving nothing to chances.

This is Asala's first mainstream pop album in more than four years now. She is back with fore and a cover album that says, I am still the diva you once knew and I am going nowhere but up. Star Gate produced the album, and Pyramedia is distributing it around. Call is the Asala 100 percent Egyptian album where most of the talent lives in Egypt where Asala now has a home.

This album seems like Asala's lucky charm, she is back in rocking mode like we have known her in the 90s when she mostly worked in Egypt. Asala is showing other Arab women that having a family is not a death sentence  you can have an amazing career and a great loving family too.

This is the album that will move a lot of records this Eid season, because among the many stars who are releasing new albums, Asala has the broadest fan base men and women celebrate her and so do young and older folks.

 01 - Sha5sia 3anida
02 - Ana 7obak
03 - Asasy
04 - Begad Teganen
05 - Bona2an 3la Raghabatak
06 - Kabartak Ala Seedak
07 - 2ool Ba7ebek
08 - Ro7y Wakhdany
09 - Sabny
10 - Shaghel Baly Hawak

Assala " Shakhsya Aneeda " Album Promo | برومو ألبوم " شخصية عنيدة " أصالة


Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك


Assala & Ramy Sabry - Mesh Faker / أصالة & رامي صبري - مش فاكر

HOT: Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك 2012 Album Promo

Syrian singer Assala is having the year of her live, she has been rocking this summer music festivals, keeping political blogs active and interested in her opinions and jetting around the world for concerts and engagements.  Then she would release singles, she released three of them so far. And host that popular TV shows of her where she gets to sing with her buddy singers. A duet with Ramy Sabry and a dozen of interviews.

But she has also been working on an album, and we have a stare of art comeback album, her first since 2008--she has released at least on other album but that was in the Gulf Dialect. This upcoming album of hers will have romance, and will have both Egyptian and Lebanese dialect songs--the ones that made her a pop star in the first place. The kind of songs that radiates happy

The album will have ten tracks. Her husband company Star Gate is producing the album and Pyramdia will distribute it around the world. By looking the list of musicians and composers she has worked with, one cannot help but realize hoe serious Assala is about this album of hers. This is the Assalah we love and this is the kind of songs that make the world a better place.

In other news, I just learned that one of the youngest and most promising composers Karim Mohsin composed this song. I knew I was a fan of his songs, but I am no certain that I like his music work too.

Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك



Assala " Shakhsya Aneeda " Album Promo | برومو ألبوم " شخصية عنيدة " أصالة

Hang In There Syria, We Are Singing For You

Syria is a mess, and there are good people on both sides of the conflict. It's clear the Islamists do not heart the regime and want to see it collapse. And the regime has been brutal at some points, and so had the opposition. I do not know what's right and what's wrong anymore, but to help you figure out the ordeal, here's a song.

This is a Nasheed, a music fashioned to more conservative Muslims. The vocalist is Jehad Hassan who is accompanied by a chorus. The song is about not giving up and losing hope. It's about justice and calling for help from the free people of the world. I am always for freedom, and I think as a song, this is a rich song. Music and lyrics are superb and the vocalist sounds really good.

سوريا ما تيأسي | اداء جهاد حسن - فرقة نغم الانشادية

Sham (Syria) Gets Some Love From Indie Music

Eskenderlla is busy this Ramadan season with concerts as they had a night of music on August 4th and they sang for Syria or Sham. I love this style of songs, you get a poem performed by one vocalist and then the music joins in and pick up the speed.

Not sure where this style originates from, but it might have come from Egypt or the Sufi school of music. It's nice that one of the most popular indie bands in post Mubarak Egypt would sing for Syria and the resilience of its people.

أسكندريلا - حيوا أهل الشام

Syrian Mohammad Bash Marks Ramadan With Smiley Album

The young and plenty handsome Syrian composer singer who appeared on Star Academy's sixth season in 2009 has been making music since then. His latest a Ramadan album with a music video where he is the center and where he song celebrates being faithful.

His voice is made for romance, and his talent has impressed so many in his short career. Bash is also Jordanian for his mother side. He offers a delightful song and puts his talent on exhibit. He just seems to be too smiley to be there.  

Tell me what you think....

 Mohamad Bash Asbahna w Amsaina محمد باش أصبحنا وأمسينا

Just Like Assad, Ali El Deek Won't Just Go Away

Ali El Deek made something rally cool he made folksy Syrian songs a mainstream thing throughout Arabia. There was relatively, nothing called the hip Syrian song, until Ali released his hit singles. But that was almost 8 years ago. But things have changed since then and Ali kept doing the same old beat with new lyrics.

Ali did not invent the folksy Syrian song, he only made it accessible, but as more people tuned in, less and less songs came out from this style. And soon enough most people have lost interest in this song as it started to feel tired.

And here we go again, we are in 2012 Syria is changing, but Ali has not. He has locked himself in this style and he can still do well in Syria at wedding and other local functions, but I do not see him do not a music festival. I do think his title is creative the youth will appreciate it.
  
Ali El Deek - Say3in w Day3in

My Dad Used To Jam To Syrian Fahad Blan

When it comes to Arabic Tarab, Syria does not kid around! Syria is the place where legends of this style of music has been made for centuries. Look no further than on of those underrated Syrian legends Fahad Blan. One of Fahad's most famous hits was a song where he is explaining his condition to his loved one.

Fahd passed away in 1997 not before he has made a huge name from hims and his family that comes from a little Syrian town where they used to do menial jobs. Fahad started his career doing odd jobs one of which a bus operator assistant. The bus used to travel to Damascus a lot where he would take part of a competition doing a cover of Syrian icon Farid Al Atrach.... needless to say he made a good impression.

The atis would join the Syrian radio and sing there, then he has his won songs and the rest is history. Fahad had many marriages including Lebanese diva Sabah. Fahabd used to open and present other legends of his time. He was considered one of the top ten artists in the Arab world in his time.


فهد بلان - واشرح لها

Assala's "Awel Aid Milad" Song 4 Her Twins Birthday

Why do celebrities expect us to care about their kids? Do we really care that much or do we even have time to tune in? I mean some celebrities are shameless in trying to talk about their kids. Just look at the clips from the hospital room where Assalah is showing us where it all went down, the moment they were born and then them growing up.

This is really strange, do the kids have a say in this matter? Why do celebrities bring their kids to the spotlight? Has not not ruined so many lives before? Assalah does have kids from her previous marriage, and onlive TV she has exchanged kisses (on the mouth) with Tarik.

Aside from this, this should be a family song, not a song release for the masses--keep in mine Assalah has a jerk ex husband who speaks ill of her every chance he get. The song features her husband Tarik--a music producer and her two twins Adam and Ali. Then Assalah gives her mother a sincere shout out who has helpled her in each step along the way. She sends a prayer to her late father.

Again, this is a great song, I have to admit. my issue is with the images of the little kids. Do you notice the minimal makeup? It's kind of a star in a different light.   

Exclusive.Assala-Awel Aid Milad / حصريا.أصاله - أول عيد ميلاد

Listen To Asalah New Album Samples / سمبلات البوم أصالة شخصية عنيدة

Asalah is back even though she has not gong anywhere, but she is back. It has some at least three years since Asalah release a new pop album that was not in the Gulf Dialect. She is back in romance and with bright music that will remind us of this once larger than life super star.

I am detecting a new approach by team Asalah, an effort to try to revive the starlet's brand. The music is perfect for a makeover, we do not know when the album would be released, but I think it might be out by the end of Ramadan. The album is about love and the lack of it, but there is always room to get advise from mother Asalah who has loved and hated too.

The album has 10 tracks and we have a sampling of each of those tracks. The album's title might be provocative and might be a response to her critics....the album goes by the name "A Stubborn Personality" She has received a lot of heat for her vocal support for the revolution at home.

I see a lot of names--mainly Egyptian musicians who have collaborated on this album. The album might lack one theme, but just like the starlet behind it, she is one with many opinions and voices.

Asalah New Album Samples / سمبلات البوم أصالة شخصية عنيدة

Wadih Mrad And His Super Awesome One Hit "La Tanhany"

The curious case of Wadih Mrad has always impressed me. He was a nobody one day and then the next he was everywhere in the airwaves. All of sudden he was the guy to watch, and his hit song made it huge. La Tanhany, or "do not bow" because only humans bow and as Wadih sees his loved one not to be a human but  an angel perhaps.


Upon his fame, many compared Wadih to the style of of another Syrian legend George Wassouf (Wadih is a fan and has dedicated a a tribute song to George Wassouf when he was in the hospital.) From my judgment, "La Tenhany" made is huge for four reasons and they are as follows:

1. The musical instruments sounded fresh foreign yet very Eastern.
2. Wadih's voice is so deep and his emotions were true in that song which made for a great connection
3. The production and the music arrangement are truly out of this world
4. The song is dreamy, yet real! One day life was pretty when we are together and then it's not!

I know Wadih made few singles after his initial hit and some of them were popular, but this Syrian singer seems to have been cursed as a result of singing this very popular song that he seems not to have been able to overshadow. The timing of the song was perfect and it was picked by all the right people and all of suden Wadih Mrad was a household name. Elias Nasser wrote the lyrics, Salamah Shaheen composed the music and they remain both relative unknowns.  
   
I know Wadih is still out there, but I have not heard anything new from him in some time, I miss that voice and rare kind of connections he could create with his listeners. 
Wadih Mrad - La Tanhany Helwa ElDonya / وديع مراد - لا تنحنى

Myriam Atallah, The Syrian Pop Princess

Syrian pop sensation Myriam Atallah is keeping a busy schedule as she stays in Lebanon to be near the media center. She has been doing a lot more interviews lately and with those comes a song or two. This blogs like Myriam and have followed her career with passion. That's why we present one of her recent songs produced for LBC.

A single is the most we can wish for giving those troubling times. Not sure if the dance moves work well for the song, but this sounds like a decent pop song from the Syrian songstress. I do not think this song was recorded live, it does not look like it form the video. I like the camera work, but I wish if there was an audience to make the song sound better instead of making this slightly awkwardness.

I think Myriam can do better, at this point it does not seem that any Arab star is delivering the good stuff they once could--things are shaky.  

   بعيد عني جديد ميريام عطا الله 2012 جودة عالية / حصريا من Lbc

REVIEW: The Red Rose Album By Samo البوم سامو زين - الورد الاحمر

 The flirtatious album of the year has arrived and it has the signature of Syria's biggest pop star Samo Zaen. Samo is a household in Egypt--the biggest music market where most singers are now based. Unlike so many others, Samo has stayed in Egypt and maybe the fact that Syria seems to been fire has something to do with that.

The all tracks give Samo's fans plenty to smile about, as they will dance, they will romance, and they will cry. Samo knows well how to transition from one note to another without cheapening the experience. Changing mood in one album is important to appeal to more people.

I would buy this album and I ask you to do so....this one will be around for some time. Samo leads the way now in releasing an album in a critical time politically and so close to Ramadan. I wish one day, I can see Samo in a live concert, I am sure he will be a treat.

01 - Beta7lawy, club mix and tons of computer affects the right amount of excitement
02 - 3ady, Samo like you know him before, the guy you want to party with! Good
03 - El Ward El A7mar, the album's gem, I love this track and how it fuses music
04 - 7elemt Beeky, the necessary dramatic song, the lonely yet romantic will cheer
05 - 7abiby W Ana Samo Zaen on steroid, I mean energy drink. An average pop song
06 - Mesta2tel, amorous song people in love would appreciate this expressive song
07 - Men 3eneya, another entertaining pop song that has dull music, the lyrics are cool though
08 - Faris A7lemek, guy tells a girl he wants to be all she wants him to be, dreamy track with gooey music
09 - Ana Mosta3ad, I like the instruments on this track. Samo might have another song where to turn into a music video, a dramatic song with a big heart and regrets.
10 - Beta7lawy ( Remix ), a remix of a good song even made more club friendly, I would drive a stolen car to this music, but for now it's a good song to operate a heavy machinery to. 
11 - 7elemt Beeky ( Remix ) this one is made again for yet another club experience, I like the foreign language and the Euro feel. 


 El Ward El Ahmar - Samo Zaen الورد الاحمر - ساموزين

Is Samo Zain Gays' Best Friend In Arabia?

First he did a music video with two dudes dancing and one telling the other...consider me your wife and then people got upset. Then comes a picture for Samo where he is sniffing a red rose and looking all dreamy in a way that gives a gay vibe. I do not think he is gay, but the music he chooses in romance and the way he tries to market himself for women makes him seem so.

Now, watch the latest music video for Samo, he is looking good and the music video is done in a creative way--it really is. First he is a Sultan with dancers trying to cheer him up...then comes the film crew and end the scene.

I love his voice in this song, you can tell he was really laughing or at least smiling as he recorded this song, Samo can be a funny guy and he seems to be able to look that in many of his music videos before. He is a sharp dresser too.

The color red is all over this clip, a red tattoo, a red dress, a red car...etc. The song does get sexula as the girl dances "I Know I'm Sexy". Samo's greatest achievement aside from singing the song is the music where he composed it and did a good job blending Tarab music with cooler musical elements.

El Ward El Ahmar - Samo Zain الورد الاحمر - ساموزين

El Ward El Ahmar soon - Samo Zean الورد الاحمر - ساموزين

Syrian singer Samo Zain has been hiding for more than a year now. At first he tried to take sides in the Syrian revolution, then he messed that one up. Now he stopped talking to media outlets and stopped taking parts in any protests like he did at first.

So in the meantime, he has been talking up his new album, titled El Ward El Ahmar, or Red Roses in English, it is no original title, but it seems to be a new style for the singer if the promo video is any indicator.

He is paying some Sultan in a fancy palace where dancers compete to please him, he has never done this before, and it might be affected by some of the most popular Turkish soap operas. I like Samo as he tries to make light pop and romance songs. I think he is one of those rare talents that can do happy songs and sad ones and sound totally believable in both.

 El Ward El Ahmar soon - Samo Zean الورد الاحمر قريبا - ساموزين

LISTEN: Assala - Ma Asm7lak / اصاله - ما أسمحلك

Assala has a good voice and a lovable character with a strong personalty. But she has been in hot water for some time now due to her speaking up her mind. Her stand with the Syrian revolution made her unpopular with the ruling folks in Syria. She has upset the celebrities of Lebanon, and apologized and made nice with her peers. But then all of a sudden a new wave of attacks came against her from Syria super diva Mayada El Hanawy who had harsh words for Assala.

Aside form that, Assalah has a new single and it sounds like something you want. Assalah is doing in in the Gulf dialect. About her lover who thinks of her as a piece of decor, it's a poem. The best line in the song is where she says, I am not a flower flower bouquet that you throw away when the fragrance is gone. She won't allow that....after all just like the song says, I am a human being and have my ups and downs.

Assala does it again and I am pleased to see her bringing the best of her vocals strengths to make one more gem.

Assala - Ma Asm7lak / اصاله - ما أسمحلك

Arab Entertainers: Are They Really For Assad?

Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker has been the mos clear about his hatred to the Assad regime, he lead demonstrations, prayed in public with his concert goers to bring end to Assad. Syrian singer Asalah was first to express her support for the revolution, then her family attacked her, then they have made threats against her life.

She sort of backed down, then she said she wanted to release a song for the revolution, that that took months. And since then she has been making message with messages that could be understood both ways. I am sure she is confused as much as many of us, but the attacks have been coming against her. Fadel seems not to care.

Asalah then went on attacks against the Lebanese government and the people for their support, she is also afraid to visit Lebanon out of fear. Melhim Zain, the young Lebanese singer has been making the rounds talking up his home country and defending Lebanon along with many.  Lebanese are pissed.  On the other hand, Melhim was denied a visa to Qatar due to his support to Assad.

Nancy Ajram refused to answer any questions about politics--smart business decision. Wael Jassar said he wants the people to get their demands--whatever it is. Raghib Alameh asked his fans not to talk politics. But he also was attacked for hiding from the issue of massacres since in the past he has expressed support for Assad.  

فضل يشتم الأسد وأصالة تصف لبنان بالبلور

Holland The New Party Place For Arabs in Europe

I have been seeing more and more Arab singers hold concerts in the Netherlands or as most Arabs know it by the name Holland. I swear, expat get to see their Arab stars more than the ones at home due to the political instability of course. The latest Arab stars to head to Holland is Syrian diva Assala who also had concerts in the States and Canada as well.

Holland is a liberal place to the core and most Arab s living there seem to have embraced their lifestyle over there. So when they got this much cash, they go to concerts for their celebrities. Many of them are refugees and many more come form other European nations to party in the Netherlands. Music makes friends not enemies so here's a view of the kind of people who attend such concerts and pay top dollars to be in attendance.

Assala filmed her concerts over there in the hopes of selling the airing rights to a tv network. The Syrian singer has been in the front lines talking about the revolution in Syria.    

Promo Assala's Holland Tour / برومو جولة أصاله الفنية بهولندا