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

Give Me More Julia Boutros Please

Julia Bourtos, the Lebanese phenomenal singer, the legendary voice that has never been distant from the pulse of the people. Julia posses one of the strongest and by far best female voices in the Arabic scene. She was first known for her nationalistic songs for Lebanon and Palestine, the kind of songs that gets one's heart pumping and blood boiling as the lyrics deliver one knock after another of sad reality of war weakness and disunity. But that was the 80s and for most of the 90s Julia snag for the loved ones, she delivered a number of classics (Ya Osas)

And in 2006 she sang segments of a popular speech of a Lebanese political figure in the wake of Israel war on Lebanon. "Ahabaii", my beloved was that song, the song was about war, victory and people caught in the middle of it all. The song made 3 millions dollars which went to the families of the war victims. What a Sopranos are for!

Another song that is now being used in political campaigns in Egypt this hot election season. "I Fear for my Children" or Khawfi 'Ala Awaldi is a beautiful song about an uncertain future, which what this political party in Egypt wanted to state. Julia's voice is one of those few things that Arabs actually agree on....she is a uniter for sure and she cares.

Yes, we will not have to wait for her much anticipated album that was released mid 2010 where we are promised real music and live orchestra for change. Here is a sample song of it that says one thing, "Julia Boutros ROCKS"

Julia Boutros - 3ala Sho