Release Date: June
21, 2019
Label: Medan Elmusica
Riad Abdel-Gawad is the founder
and Executive Director of Midan Elmusica (The Music Square), which exhibits to
and informs the US public about what is called: “Arabic Music” from Egypt.
(information gleaned from the artist website). There is much more to the story
of course.
The importance of Words of
Peace goes far beyond the music itself. The Midan Elmusica, Inc. Promotions
is a not for profit organization that is promoting this CD release of the
artist. So, playing the music, buying the CD or streaming it on ZMR, for
instance, all goes into supporting the project.
The recording utilizes 17
singers, chanters and instrumentalists in a music ensemble from Cairo, Egypt.
All the music was Composed by Riad Abdel-Gawad.
This is music that is very important on many levels however to the
uninformed listener it could have an entirely different meaning. I could not
give it a spin without finding out more about the artist that created and why.
That made a big difference in my entire perception of what I was hearing.
Words of Peace
utilizes 17 singers, chanters and instrumentalists in a music ensemble from
Cairo, Egypt. Composed by Riad Abdel-Gawad, Words of Peace
cross-pollinates the western oratorio with the eastern wasla and nouba musical
traditions into a newly composed 21st-Century work in the World music genre.
Through music, song and chant, Words of Peace offers
healing, spiritual and practical tools to our present-day existential dilemma
along with offering a social critique of racism, corruption, materialism, and
the Climate Crisis. To the story of Adam & Eve, to the history of Egypt and
to the narrative of Prophet Muhammed’s striving towards peace through the
activism of politics, the result – of the 18-track 53-minute album – is a
secular and
sacred parable about the plight of our planet and its inhabitants through
Arabic and Nubian (African) poetry.
I think all the individuals that
contributed deserve a lot of credit for lending their expertise to the music.
The vocals are very melodic and so is the music. I did really enjoy the music; it does get
your toes tapping.
Regardless of the lack of knowledge of the language in the
vocals, it did not take away the meaning or overall significance of what I was
taking in.
Words of Peace is exposing world music that many have never had
the opportunity to hear, including me. It is reaching out to be heard and I am
certain it will be. This is music that can be appreciated in many different
ways and I think there is an audience that would be eager to hear this project
and learn more about the story behind it.
June 28, 2019
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Tracks:
01. The World is a Beautiful Place!
02. The Nay: The Song of the Nile
03. Adam & Eve: The Global Starters
04. The Violin: Instrument of the People
05. The Qanun: Metaphor for the Physical, Spiritual and Universal Rules
06. GOD blessed him (Prophet Mohamed [SAW]) in GOD's heavens
07. The Oud: The Crying Earth (Seven)
08. We wIsh for] Peace, Peace to GOD's Folk in All Places!
09. Oh! Mother Egypt, Your Water (The Nile) is Balm which Changes and Heals our Minds.
10. The Cotton Harvest: An Affirmation of Life
11. Oh Egypt! O Mother of (Life's) Long Struggle!
12. At-Taqaseem: The Egyptian People's Song Without Words
13. Coda (Instrumental)
14. To Every Cry in the (trying) Time Subsides to (Peaceful) Silence
15. All People -- Regarding their Origin -- Originate in Equality
16. Words of Peace: Instrumental Finale
17. Prayer for Peace
18. Peace for Peace
Tracks:
01. The World is a Beautiful Place!
02. The Nay: The Song of the Nile
03. Adam & Eve: The Global Starters
04. The Violin: Instrument of the People
05. The Qanun: Metaphor for the Physical, Spiritual and Universal Rules
06. GOD blessed him (Prophet Mohamed [SAW]) in GOD's heavens
07. The Oud: The Crying Earth (Seven)
08. We wIsh for] Peace, Peace to GOD's Folk in All Places!
09. Oh! Mother Egypt, Your Water (The Nile) is Balm which Changes and Heals our Minds.
10. The Cotton Harvest: An Affirmation of Life
11. Oh Egypt! O Mother of (Life's) Long Struggle!
12. At-Taqaseem: The Egyptian People's Song Without Words
13. Coda (Instrumental)
14. To Every Cry in the (trying) Time Subsides to (Peaceful) Silence
15. All People -- Regarding their Origin -- Originate in Equality
16. Words of Peace: Instrumental Finale
17. Prayer for Peace
18. Peace for Peace
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