Instrumental Music from Lebanon

The musicianship is top notch, but the pieces a more in the semi-classical Lebanese music category and not quite the folk category for which I had been hoping.

This is a very different CD from the norm and a refreshing change: I will be looking for further such recordings.

🐍

The first strictly Lebanese music cd I own, it fits neatly in my Middle Eastern collection. And ‘neatly’ is an apt word here. I do like what’s on offer: fine instrumentals using oud, bouzouk, violin, ney, qanun, double bass (the odd one out) and percussion. All pieces are played with obvious skill and sensitivity, but I sometimes had the feeling the musicians kept it deliberately simple and it’s all a bit bland. There’s nothing in here that made me sit up or which provides a much-needed sense of individuality.So, well-played and sounding fine this cd makes for a safe choice if Lebanese music is on your radar, but it lacks character.