(1972) Various Artists – The Syrian Maqams
Argo issue number: ZFB 58
Recorded by Deben Bhattacharya in Damascus in 1955 (tracks A1, A3, B1, B2, B3) and 1960 (A2, A4)
Production and sleeve notes by Deben Bhattacharya
Availability: the seven tracks here (plus two others) have been re-issued on ARC Music EUCD1765. Buy it here.
Musicians
Joudad Halibie – Qanun (A1)
Muhammad Jaban – ‘Ud (A1, B3)
Badruddin Halibie – Nay (A2)
Unnamed teacher of the Damascus Conservatoire – violin (A3)
Muhammad Abdul Karim – Buzuk (A4)
Unnamed Dervish vocalist, chorus and musicians – Nay, Daff, Nakkar, cymbals (B1)
Unnamed Dervish musicians – Nay, Daff, Nakkar, cymbals (B2)
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Tracks
Side A
1 Bashraf Sama’i Taatyus
2 Taqsim on Nay
3 Taqsim on violin
4 Ajam on buzuk
Side B
1 Hijaz
2 Rasd
3 Taqsim on ‘Ud
Footnote
The buzuk player on track A4 – Muhammad Abdul Karim – was already an established musician by the time Deben Bhattacharya reached Damascus. The Syrian actor-director Abdullatif Abdulhamid opens his 2010 film ‘September Rain’ in 1940s Damascus with a young man listening to a broadcast of music by Muhammad Abdul Karim.
