Siham Rifqi - Genuine badawi songs

When asked who my favorite performer is, my answer is based on the context of the question: if Arabic, then I name a few singers that I adore. Siham Rifqi is one of those singers.

The 1st song I heard was 'Yam el Abaya' and I was hooked as soon as I heard the opening music. I fell in love with her songs and style of singing. I do like the characterization of Badawi music which she did well. My mother felt the same way when she heard Siham’s songs, as did her friend. They now refer to her as el badawiya.

Siham was born in Lebanon and sang songs in a genuine Bedouin dialect. It’s unfortunate that very little information is available on this wonderful singer. It’s extremely difficult to find a catalog of her music except for a cd release of her songs. Otherwise, the best resource would be 78’s if lucky or contacts/collectors of her music.

I have the cd release, a few 78 recordings and a very nice record that I absolutely love. Take a listen to the cd and note her most popular songs: Yam el Abaya, El Aaba Ajmal Soura, Leich Leich Ya Welfi, Menen Ajib Eassaloua.

Siham Rifqi - La Grande Chanteuse Bedouine - Part 1
Siham Rifqi - La Grande Chanteuse Bedouine - Part 2

El Aaba Ajmal Soura

As far as I'm aware, she made 2 Egyptian movies: El Primo in 1947 and Zanati Khalifa in 1948. I'm still looking for copies of these movies.

Siham’s granddaughter wrote an excellent biography about her grandmother and for this, I thank her dearly. I learned a lot about Siham Rifqi. You can find the text by Serene Assir here: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/745/profile.htm

Credit for the top image of Siham goes to Serene Assir and Al-Ahram online. It's a beautiful photo.

Nour al-Huda - Girl with the golden voice

Nour al-Huda earned her title as a young 10 year old when she started her music career. She has performed with the great masters of Lebanon and Egypt in both music and film for more than 60 years.

I have a few gems by her, including this Brazilian release of her Duniaphon record. My favorite track is 'Bahebak Ya Wilfi'.



Bahebak Ya Wilfi

Liner notes:
"With the fame that precedes Nour Al-Huda, we are treated to a presentation of music. We can feel her pure soul through voice and song. Showing her traces to her beautiful land, Nour Al-Huda stays true to her roots with her musical selections.

Widely well known in the cinema thanks to her talent and beauty, Nour Al-Huda gathers so large a number of qualities that make her precious and beloved."

M. Bakkar - Medley of dabke

We all know and love dabke. It's what gets our feet moving and our hands clapping in rhythm to the music. I like both the traditional and modern singers. There is a variance between the regions but it's all enjoyable - Syrian, Filistine, Libnan.

Here are 2 selections from the great Mohammed El Bakkar from the wonderful era of the 78 on the Al Chark label. Some of the folk classics include: Dal'Ona, Ya Asmar el Loon, Yahlimin.

Side-A
Side-B

Dabke Medley