Rememeber These Guys?

If you are a Palestinian or have been close to the Palestinian cause, then you know these guys. You do not even have to like music, you can be anti-music person, but you still know of these guys and memorize a score of their songs.

Al-Ashqeen, Al 'ashqeenالعاشقين came to live in 1977 from the heart of Syria Damascus, it came together when a number of talented young Palestinian men came together. They kicked of their career by singing the famous works of notable Palestinian poets of the likes of Mahmoud Darwish and Sameeh Alqassim, but their most famous and timeless song was the work of little known Palestinian poet Noah Ibrahim to commemorate the execution of thee Palestinian leaders in Akko prisons.

Al-Ashqeen group's work came in handy during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon of 1982 and the death of countless Palestinians and Lebanese. They have many records and songs that chronicle the Palestinian journey and struggle and resistance toward self determination

They just reunited by executive order from the Palestinian president and have put a shows in various Palestinian cities in the West Bank, of course politicians flocked to take part of this historical event.

فرقة العاشقين ... من سجن عكا

فرقة العاشقين ... من سجن عكا

Rolla Saad Banned From Singing in Egypt

So it seems that the Egyptian union of musicians in Egypt is a bit busy banning artists from appearing in concert in that country. As you can see in the letter Rolla was banned from without giving in reasons. But it seems that disagreement between Rolla Saad and her country woman Haifa Wahby over this song "Eih Da Eih Da" as Hafia seems to have wanted this song and Rolla beat her to it and here the song to watch. Now they union is saying to have ruled in favor of Haifa as the owner of this song which Rolla Saad continues to sing. That might be true, but I happen to believe that Haifa is a very powerful player in Egypt as she is a popular figure, has lots of resources and in top of that she is married to an Egyptian business man. Both Rolla and Haifa has been caught in public feuds for years now.

This ban caused Rolla troubles as she was headed to Egypt to take part of a benefit concert to help children with cancer in Alexandria Egypt, but she was unable to participate. But before that the union raised Rolla's dues three folds for no obvious reasons.....

The song is in the light Egyptian style, the one you play in parties....it says say forget the trouble and enjoy the minute. The case of the music video was a good choice as they look real, Rolla shows off some of her dance and cute moves that will be liked by Egyptian listeners.

Rolla saad issued a statement from her office stating, "I have donated all my fees and even my travel expenses to take part of this charity concert, only to find out that the musicians union send a team of ten people "police, lawyers, and agents" to stop my appearance.

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Rola Saad New 2010 "Eih Da Eih Da" / " فيديو كليب رولا سعد "ايه ده ايه ده

Timeless Gospel By Oum kalthoum

Everyone who has heard of Arabic music knows this legend and knows her style. All Arabs respect her and value her timeless hits. No other Arab icon has enriched Arabic music as she did...no other Arab musician has this religious following as much as she did. The woman that ruled over all men, kings, presidents, generals and sultans....the one and the only Arabic voice for the ages is Oum Kaalthoum.

Yet not everyone knows her religious themed music where she coved a number of poems and Muslims hymns celebrating Islam, its history and it's figures. Of course the time she came in was a bit more religious than now, but she chose to cover Islamic subjects in few of her songs. In fact she started as a little girl singing at weddings and covering Islamic hymns.

Here is one of her cover of the timeless nasheed that was sang to welcome prophet Mohammad (PBH) as he came to Madina. There are thousands of people who have covered this song, from Cat Stevens, to Sami Yusuf, it remains the one Muslim song that everyone memorizes by heart. This one by Al Sit or Oum Kalthoum is special.

Oum kalthoum-OM KALSOUM-Taleal Bedru Aleyna