Review – Khatchig – Beginnings
By Oberon

     Beginnings is indeed the first solo CD offered by American-born, Armenian singer Khatchig. He has however been singing and performing solo throughout California for many years using keyboard and vocals. Eventually, in Fresno, California – he teamed with Jim Karagozian forming the group ”Shenaz”. Together they played a variety of traditional, western Armenian and Middle Eastern Folk music.           

     Moving to Glendale, Arizona in 1996 to attend the prestigious Thunderbird, Garvin School of International Management – he produced and recorded three compilation CD’s and four concerts of international music, featuring the school’s faculty and staff.    

     Returning to the San Francisco Bay area where he currently resides, he reconnected with Jim and his brother Ed Karagozian to form band “Mirage”. In 2002, the album “Yarus” was born in which Khatchig was the vocals and played keyboard. 

     This – his solo CD, “Beginnings” is a collection of Armenian traditional and contemporary folk songs. He displays a combination of style and sound incorporated into his music over his years of performing.

     Alagyoz Acheret – a popular Armenian folk song bursts forward with a rollicking, playful confession of love from a man to his sweetheart. “Your eyes – Your arched eye-brows! I want to go away but your love won’t let me.” Khatchig teases the listener with urgent taunting vocals that lead us on a swirling dance from the very start. 

     Dzaghgadzor, a song named for an Armenian city literally means “Valley of Flowers”. A passionate declaration that talks of gifts of love – “ I gift my life to you. I will wait 1,000 years, only to fulfill my goal of reaching you”! Khatchig’s voice undulates throughout like a rippling carpet of velvet.

     Sensitive and beautiful, Bardezoum ( In the Garden), drips with the yearning of an intense love letter – “The river’s waves rush, like the tears dropping from the eyes of my love”. Khatchig caresses and flows over this melting melody pushing the words into the soul with  forceful warmth. This was an evocative  favorite for me.           

     Hele Hele Ninoyeh is the kind of traditional folk song that rings familiar to me and brings everybody to their feet to clap and dance. It is from the area of Musa Dagh and is sung in that dialect. Lively and enjoyable.           

     Anoush Yar – the Armenian adaptation of Miserlou, is intensely lyrical, lush and romantic. A showcase for the chocolate deep of Khatchig’s romantic vocals against the insistent oud, doumbek and flute. I can smell the spices as I fall in love with Miserlou all over again.  Hayde Kale is an easy, breezy American – Armenian love song with a cooling, happy spirit. Sung in light lilting fashion, it is a delightfully up-lifting moment.           

     Zepuri Neman and Ara Va Vai are traditional folk songs that speak to the pain and sacrifice and desires of love with approachable, agreeable comportment beckoning the listener to get up and dance. The first has a more modern sound and the latter more traditional but both are rousing.   Yar Tou Noush Es – a gentle Armenian love song with inspiring heart, completes the CD.  Khatchig tempers his voice, conveying a sweet tenderness that floats the lyrics over the melody in an endless river of craving.  A description of a beloved soul, sung with the kind of passion that has seduced so many people to the beauty of Armenian music.  A rich introduction to the solo voice of a talented vocalist, producer and musician with a nice mix of polished sophistication and earthy spice.           

    What could have made this offering more complete?  For me, that would be a description beside each song that offered the musicians and instruments featured on each piece. I definitely wished that the lyrics had been included, because upon asking Khatchig and having him generously send me some loose translations, I again realized how meaningful it is to understand the intention of the music.     

     So, for novices with a yen to delve into the splendor of Armenian music and the teachers that want to entice with delightful example – even the connoisseur who will recognize some of the influences that nurtured Khatchig as he created “Beginnings”,  I believe all will find something beautiful, inspiring or uplifting here, in this rich voice, so dedicated to the music.