Mirage - Visions
Reviewed By: Oberon
Mirage has a sound that is instantly pleasing and danceable. Immediately attention grabbing - and true to this Cd’s “bragging rights”, you dance when you hear their music – with whatever part of your body that is free to move!
Mirage Is: (as stated on their Cd’s insert)
Jim Karagozian – Kanun
Khatchig Jingirian - Keyboards and Vocals
Ed Karagozian – Dumbeg
Michel Awad – Debeki
And what a magical combination it is with a lavish measure of their powerful vocalist, Katchig Jingirian showcasing the expressively emotional kanun and percussion.
This band has the sound that makes you crave the next offering, search out their music among the crush of talented musicians. Why … why are they different … instantly likeable, approachable, easy? When I’m dancing to my favorites by these musicians I am more often than not – asked to name the music.
These musicians are educated, seasoned and experienced and more than that – just as you feel when a dancer with “heart” is performing in front of you – these musicians are able to communicate their heart-felt passions with music!
Visions leaps at you with the ardent heat of an Armenian song of un-requited love, Chem Ouzoum.
“Your eyes call to me – your kisses burn me – I don’t know what to do – I don’t want your love”!
“Your love keeps me awake at night – what good is a love like this” (1). Sung by one of sexiest voices on the planet, this contemporary pop song is dancing enchantment.
Personally – it is the beauty of the Armenian songs played by emotionally invested musicians that set this group apart. There are six of them on the “Visions” CD including the first that I refer to above.
2) Noubarin Boyah - a song about a woman missing her “tall, dark and handsome lover who she equates to a Sycamore tree. “His eyes are almond shaped and dark – his eyebrows are arched like the curve of a three day old moon”. Rolling and “folksy”, delightfully articulate, a dancer looking for a more ethnically cultural performance piece would find it here.
3) Makhmour Aghchig – the mournful keyboard melts with the emotional Kanun, sliding out an aching Eastern Armenian love song continually praising a beautiful girl. “Never sad, your silent lips – may you ever be soft – may you always have the sweet scent that fills the world with dreams. Playful blonde girl, your eyes convey 1000 words. Lucky is the one who stands in your doorway and drinks your water”. (Because my review is for iShimmy and read the world over by dancers – I’m just saying – is there a blonde dancer alive that shouldn’t have this complimentary song in their repertoire)?
4) Hayde Dour – a traditional love song from Western Armenia is unrelentingly lively. “You return from picking flowers with a thorn in your finger. I will pluck the thorn and take away your pain. Come quickly beautiful one – don’t wait too long in the sun, for as your shadow grows longer, (as the sun sets and time goes by), I can no longer withstand the wait. Your hair is black, your eyes beautiful, so red your lips – let me take you to our house”!
5) Na Mi Naz Ouni is a traditional song of Eastern Armenian troubadours -interesting because of this history. A song about spring that, sounds like spring. “My love is on her way up the mountain – wrapped up in and decorated by her clothing. She is playful and holds a saz (a stringed instrument )in her hands. She goes singing up the mountain. She is like a doe. The sun has risen and filled the valleys, the songbird is perched in the rose bush – I know not the pain of the heart”.
6) Dari Lo Lo is an Western Armenian country folk song that I have heard Katchig sing before – he says it is a playful song with a lot of word play within it! “come on , let us go it’s getting late! The lady of the house has much to do tomorrow! (The chorus Dari Lo Lo is a nonsensical phrase)-The song goes on – We swallowed the lady of the house – how wonderful sleep is – let’s all meet at our house tomorrow.
“Visions” is artfully sprinkled with a taste of the Arabic and Turkish songs that dancers recognize:
Ya Sabiyeh – Well recognized– extremely danceable Arabic song.
The Turkish / Arabic Nihavent – Hauntingly melodic – the perfect piece for veil.
The delightful Siseler – a song about drinking, bottles and love.
But forgive me if I allow my pleasure to show when I hear the stroke of genius that is the Dancer’s Delight. A combination of the Arabic, Habibi Ya Ain ( which I caused Michael Beach of Brother’s of the Baladi to play so often - he now refuses me), an extremely compatible chefte Telli, an intelligent, rockin’ gem of a drum solo and the Arabic Yalabina in fabulous conclusion – I LOVE MIRAGE!!!
O.K – so there’s always occasion to recommend improvement – so Mirage – I’m nagging you again – please gift us with these awesome song translations either on your CD insert (best case) or – make them permanently available on your web site - because it makes us better dancers and devotees to understand the music!
Thank-you Khatchig Jingirian and Michael Beach for your help in translation for this review.
The musicians of Mirage are a rare fit to each other, allowing each individual to shine yet supporting and amplifying their talents together to a cohesive, entirely satisfying experience.
I’m recommending Visions – for listening - for dancing and for the pure joy of buying a CD that is 100% worth it!
