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Alhambra Performs Judeo Spanish Songs

06/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Besides ending too soon, the only lack in this CD is the presence of any liner notes, Alhambra Performs Judeo Spanish Songs is nonetheless successful in evoking a series of timeless moods of musical atmosphere and history. Without written information it's impossible to be sure, but the compositions (credited to originate variously in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Syria, Morroco, Greece and Israel) offer some small sketches of how the exodus of Sephardic Jews in the middle ages evolved their music under the influence of various other cultures. Marvelously affecting, the primary instrumental settings for the voice of oud, drums and kamence (a sort of Turkish fiddle) bring to mind European courts and monasteries from long ago, as well as the feeling of Middle Eastern locales. In addition to the emotionally charged moddiness created by an airy, almost breathless singing in some of the material, there are a number of propulsive rhythmic examples which recall music of the gypsies and make one want to dance."

Awsome

peggy | upstate NY | 06/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wanted to give my baby an appreciation for different music and cultures. I started playing it at bedtime, now this is the only CD he will listen to for bedtime. Everyonce in a while, I will put in another CD and he screams until I put this one. He then settles down and goes to sleep. So, needless to say, I love it!"