Anouar Brahem

Posted by: Rubio on 26 September 2006

I'm curious about this ECM artist, and I would like to buy one album by him. Does anybody know which album is best? I think I have read some positive things about "Conte de L'incroyable Amour" somewhere, but maybe some other albums are even better?
Posted on: 26 September 2006 by Thomas K
Since they are all excellent but similar (at least recent ones), a good strategy might be to pick an album with an instrumental ensemble that seems interesting to you.

Of the three CDs I have, my favourite is "Thimar", with double-bass (played by the ever-sure-footed Dave Holland) and sax/clarinet.
Posted on: 26 September 2006 by Rubio
From what I have read both "Thimar", "Astrakhan Cafe" and "Barzakh" sound interesting. Which other albums do you have by him?
Posted on: 26 September 2006 by Haim Ronen
Rubio,

If you do not have any of Brahem's music, I would start with "Astrakan Cafe' for the simple reason that it brings you closer to the source and to where Brahem is coming from (Norht Africa) and what he is about.
I saw him perform this music in Chicago, and it has clearly been the best world music concert I have ever attended.

'Thimar' with John Surman on sax and Dave Holland on bass is excellent but is more jazz oriented.

'Le pas du chat noir' is the one I am finding myself listening to the most. It must be the magic combination of oud, piano and accordion.

Any of those three would make an excellent choice. Other possibilities are 'Madar' which is a duo with Jan Garbarek and 'Barzakh' which is in the spirit of Astrakan with a violin player instead of clarinet.





Regards,

Haim
Posted on: 26 September 2006 by fred simon


I have only one album by Anouar Brahem, but I love it:

Le Pas Du Chat Noir



Beautiful, brilliant, subtle and sublime.

Fred


Posted on: 27 September 2006 by Rubio
Thank you very much for the recommendations! I will probalby go for one of the albums that include the clarinet in addition to the oud, as I really like the sound of this instrument. I guess that means "Conte de L'incroyable Amour" or "Astrakhan Cafe".
Posted on: 27 September 2006 by Haim Ronen
quote:
Originally posted by Rubio:
Thank you very much for the recommendations! I will probalby go for one of the albums that include the clarinet in addition to the oud, as I really like the sound of this instrument. I guess that means "Conte de L'incroyable Amour" or "Astrakhan Cafe".


Rubio,

If clarinet is your instrument, you definitely have to listen to Messiaen's 'Quartet for end of time'. It is exceptional.

Regards,

Haim