eliot
Oud Junkie
Posts: 252
Registered: 1-5-2005
Location: The Gorges
Member Is Offline
Mood: Aksak
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San Francisco Iraqi oud concert: Rahim Alhaj
I know nothing about this player - but it sure sounds interesting...
Rahim Alhaj
Sunday, March 20, 2005
virtuoso Iraqi oud musician & composer
Freight & Salvage Coffee House
1111 Addison Street / Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 548-1761 / info@freightandsalvage.org
Door 7:30pm, Music 8:00pm |
Purchase advance tickets: $18.50
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maran
Oud Junkie
Posts: 103
Registered: 9-23-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
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if you listen to amy goodman's radio program democracy now on the pacifica radio stations (probably kpfa where you are) you are bound to hear rahim
alhaj eventually. (they sometimes play clips of his playing in between news segments). i have heard some gorgeous oud playing from him listening to
that show. in some cases very unorthodox. reminds me a bit of naseer shamma. i'm sure you won't be disappointed if you go.
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1479
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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Check Rahim's web page (and samples) at: http://www.rahimalhaj.com/
I have his CD "Second Baghdad." Not bad. I listen to it often.
I probably won't make it (not much of a nightlife w/8 mo. old baby at home!).
Best,
Udi John
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eliot
Oud Junkie
Posts: 252
Registered: 1-5-2005
Location: The Gorges
Member Is Offline
Mood: Aksak
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concert report
Just came back from Rahim AlHaj's solo show in Berkeley - he's an excellent player and a really nice man!
He mostly played his own compositions, though by request he did a nice medely of songs from Arab countries in makam Rast (taking audience requests for
songs from Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia).
His compositions are interesting - they usually feature a repeated, often chordal, chorus section, alternating with variation sections that increase
in complexity and range. He uses a really wide dynamic range, from barely audible tremolo to very forceful chords. Total control of the risha, and
very tasteful ornaments.
I get the sense he teaches from his new home base in Albequerque, New Mexico, if anyone from NM is looking for an oud teacher... he referenced having
taught music in elementary school in Baghdad before becoming exiled from there in 1991.
I was surprised to see almost noone else from the SF middle eastern music community - where were all the SF oud players? (John, you're off the hook
with yer baby and all!)
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