CD Review
The Beginner's Guide To Bellydance (A 3 CD Set)
As Reviewed by Denise Mannion of Pangia
As stated by the producers of this huge compliation:
“The Beginner's Guide To Bellydance presents 3 CDs of the
most exciting, evocative and innovative sounds available. From Middle Eastern
cabaret through to North African folkloric styles, sizzling drum solos,
groundbreaking tribal fusion break beats, and dark gothic and gypsy burlesque
sounds, this box set contains a plethora of styles for your delectation.
Designed for performances, classes, and home enjoyment,
these tracks have been handpicked by DJs and dancers and feature classic cuts
alongside new discoveries, rarities, and cuts exclusive to the compilation.”
Although I would not recommend this for a first time, baby
beginning belly dance student, I would definitely suggest it for intermediate, and
advanced students and teachers for the extremely wide variety of musicians and for
the sheer amount of music on the 3 CDs in the set.
Careful listening will enhance your teaching as well as
performing music.
For American dancers, there are several familiar names such
as Gypsy Caravan, Djinn, Uncle Mafufo, Helm and Solace.
There are some old familiar tunes and new tracks from some familiar
names like Beats Antique, Phil Thornton and Hossan Ramzy as well as Emad Sayyah
and Bashir Abdel Aal.
There are really great notes for each and every cut that
help to describe each piece by its author, its origins, rhythms and styles
used. This will enhance and enlighten your music education as well as your
dance. We all SHOULD have a keen awareness to the music we are using. The notes
also make it quite simple to credit the musicians and their work for your
performances or printed programs. Educating your students and the audience is
one of the reasons you are involved in this art form, right?
No matter what your style is, this is a wide ranging,
amazingly diverse collection of traditional, modern and fusion music for
instructors, performers and listeners alike.
Bargain priced at $20.97 at Amazon.com, (yes, this is for
the 3CD Boxed set!) with 43 tracks and over 3 hours of music.
Do not be fooled by the extremely reasonable price and add it to your
collection very soon.
• Beginner's Guide To Bellydance has been compiled by Shisha
Sound System's Phil Meadley
(www.myspace.com/shishasoundsystem / www.myspace.com/philmeadley),
assisted by DJ UMB and some of the UK's top bellydancers.
Available at Amazon.com
