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
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.
2 comments:
Thank you Genero for your post. It was very nice to see your appreciation of Siham's music.
As for the films, she had copies; she passed away late last year however, after living an amazingly full life. When I figure out where they are, I will remember you and find a way to get them to you.
Good luck, I will be checking your blog for more musical journeys!
it seems i am several years late on this post & the blog in general, but it would be extremely lovely & humanitarian of you to reupload this otherwise utterly unavailable document. i too first heard this bird singing 'yam el abaya' & would really love to know more. while you're at it, it would be amazing if you might reup the Nour al-Huda & Bakkar as well. here's hoping. nice to read you, hope you're doing fine & keeping inspired. only three posts, but 3 great ones, it seems. thanks ~
OvO
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