Luxor4u

If you had the proverbial Magic Wand and could bring back for just one more concert - WHO would that be?

David Bowie?

Prince?

Jimmy Hendrix?

Johnny Cash?

Bob Marley?

Elvis Presley?

Curt Cobain?

Buddy Holly?

Freddy Mercury?

Sadly there are so many GREATS who have passed and I've by no means listed all of them.

WHO would you go to see if you could bring them back for JUST ONE MORE CONCERT?

Its got to be Freddie Mercury doing this:

This is my dream:

@Bennu - when is this from? And who is it? There is one man at the start sitting on the LEFT side with a large 'guitar' like instrument - what is that instrument? 'tis lovely

LovelyLadyLux wrote:@Bennu - when is this from? And who is it? There is one man at the start sitting on the LEFT side with a large 'guitar' like instrument - what is that instrument? 'tis lovely

This is the one and only diva, Oum Kalthoum.

If I could go back in history, you would find me on the front row to one of her many concerts, I often say. Egypt lost Oum Kalthoum in 1975, I do not know when this concert took place.

The beautiful string instrument is an oud, we have some wonderful oud players here in Luxor. I really enjoy dancing to live oud.

I would like to bring back Amy Winehouse for one more album, not sure about a concert though unless I could bring back 2004 Amy before the drugs and alcohol.

BENNU wrote:
The beautiful string instrument is an oud, we have some wonderful oud players here in Luxor. I really enjoy dancing to live oud.

I spent a very happy hour or so sitting in a tiny little workshop in one of the narrow hidden alleys of Morocco once and watched one of the craftsmen making an oud. Some of his friends came along and before long they were all playing various instruments and entertaining me. A few days later, as I sat and enjoyed my mint tea at a street cafe, I saw them playing as part of wedding procession and they all came over to greet me and shake my hand and invited me join the procession with them. I declined, foolishly.

....

Would have liked to have seen this:

Sorry Bennu think she sounds like a castrated cat. Queen would be my choice.

Go out and tell your neighbours that Oum Kalthoum sounds like a... I cannot even say it.

The diva is the soul of Egypt and the Middle East, Oum Kalthoum has a very special place in the life and pride of Egyptians of all ages and I absolutely love her and the composers of her music. The place that she fills in this culture is unique.

Like I said, going back in time to see the diva live is an old and very big dream of mine. I am known by many local musicians for my appreciation of the tradition and interpretation of the classics. I know that Egyptian culture is not relevant here on E/UK/cats4U but even though I really do not like most of the music that other forum members share, I see no reason to compare it to strangled or castrated animals, when I know how much it means to others.

One of my favorite teachers, the great dancer, Mona el Said, had a violin sing rather than play some Oum Kalthoum songs to remind us that dancing while the Diva sings is considered sacrilege, but most of the Egyptian music you hear (when you are in this country and cannot avoid it) are Oum Kalthoum classics, even the local Saidi music and nobody needs to tell me how that sounds to some of you, we already know. When Oum Kalthoum sings, you sit down, listen, enjoy, feeling so special and proud to be Egyptian.

Each to their own, no matter how hard we try, it is impossible to force our own choices on others, to some a thing of beauty, to others the sound of a strangled cat and as you say it does cut both ways.

Bennu, although you speak and write excellent English, I am pleased to say, you are a true internationalist who has a heart and soul. Most Brits would certainly switch off a radio if they had to hear a song in any other language other than English.

I first heard a recording of this lady's songs one late evening, many years ago in the famous Asswan Moon Restaurant, in Asswan, and will never forget it. Oum Kalthoum sang from the very depth of her heart and soul. She is remembered to this day by Egyptians, practically every town and village I've been throughout the Nile Valley, there is a cafe or restaurant named in memory of this dear person.

In English there really is not, and I fear, never has been such a similar singer either male or female, perhaps the nearest international star of such quality would have to be the late, great Edith Piaf, and when she sang 'Non je ne Regrette Rien',..............she really meant it.

Horus wrote:Each to their own, no matter how hard we try, it is impossible to force our own choices on others, to some a thing of beauty, to others the sound of a strangled cat and as you say it does cut both ways.

Noone is trying to force anything.

Knowing that Egyptian culture is not a popular topic, I explain the role that Oum Kalthoum plays in this country where Carrie and I are right now - and in my personal life.

There is such a thing as respect, if not for each other as forum members, then for the culture that surrounds us.

No one way implying anything of the kind, you explained your own choice and others commented on it or gave one of their own. This thread is about each persons favourite, not an attempt to convince everyone else that their particular choice is the best. We are not discussing the best singer ever to grace Egypt otherwise it would probably stop after the first post. I do not doubt that to many (especially in Egypt) she is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but that view will not be shared by everyone.

I do so agree Bennu that she has a special place in the heart of all Arabic speaking countries. I have spoken to musicians here and expressed MY views on her singing. I don't like it and they have no problem with my likes/dislikes. We are all entitled to our own personal point of view surely. You like jazz I don't, no reflection on any jazz musicians.
I enjoy a lot of music here and have attended many concerts especially the competitions held in the Conference Centre. I have friends who are musicians and play in orchestra's some of who are fantastic but I repeat I do not like Uhm Khasoom.

I simply think that it is unnecessary to liken Oum Kalthoum to a castrated cat.

Sorry Bennu but to me she screeches like one. And Egyptians to whom I have expressed the same sentiment have just laughed. Each to their own.

I didn't recognize Om Khalthoum from the picture but I do agree that Egyptians idolize her and her popularity has endured over time. Probably not everybodies cup of tea but she did have a strong voice.

I miss many of the old(er) musicians and their music. Never related to RAP or heavy metal - want to talk screeching cat (and NO - none of them sounded like a screeching cat but that IS a common phrase used here to describe music that ones finds objectionable)

AND

NO lots of us ARE really interested in other cultures and ways of life.

I like the concept of this song by CHER - if I could turn back time and if I could turn back time I would take more time to do lots more things I did prioritize as important and I'd go to lots more entertaining productions than I went to.

I sometimes think "IF" is not a good word........