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Improvisations on the Oud  2002 |
Improvisations On The Oud
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LINEAR NOTES: Tarik Banzi was born in Tetuan, Morocco and grew up immersed in the Andalusian tradition. He lived in Madrid, Spain throughout the 80's & moved in Flamenco, Jazz and Middle Eastern music circles. Tarik formed the group Al-Fatihah with Jewish musicologist Dr. Javier Sanchez, which has been recognized in Spain as the first group of Middle Eastern music.
At the same time Tarik was collaborating and recording with flamenco masters such as Paco de Lucia, Manolo Sanlucar, Enrique Morente, Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent and Carlos Carli where Tarik introduced such mainstays into the flamenco sound as the darbuka (dumbek). In the late 80's Tarik & Julia formed the group Amal together with Maria Ahmed, Rasgui Boujemaa, together with Tarik & Rasgui's students Fain Duenas and Vicente Molina. Fain & Vicente later went on to from the group Radio Tarifa.
Tarik is a multi-instrumentalist who has toured Europe and North America extensively. He composes and performs music for cinema, theater and television. Tarik completed his Doctoral studies in Fine Arts at The Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (A.B.D.). He is the artistic director of Al-Andalus (www.andalus.com) as well as the co-founder, composer and performer of Al-Andalus.
About
Vision
The oud (pronounced like "wooed" without the "w") is the quintessential classical Arabic musical instrument. It elicits a warm response even from Western musical ears unaccustomed to the intricacy and subtlety of this ten or eleven-stringed Middle Eastern forerunner of the European lute (the word "lute" is actually derived from the Arabic "al-'ud"). It is particularly appropriate for Tarik to showcase the oud because he, like the instrument before him, passed from North Africa to the West via Spain. Tarik is originally from Tetouan, Morocco, which is in the northernmost point of Africa, near Spain; he lived for many years in Spain, where he completed his studies in Fine Arts. He later moved to the USA where he formed the multicultural musical group, Al-Andalus. As Tarik says, "I grew up listening to and playing all sorts of music, both the popular and traditional music of Morocco, Spain and America."
Yet, his Moroccan roots remain very strong. What is interesting about Tarik is that he resists creating more fusion music. Instead, he composes music that is closer to the classical Arabic tradition-as opposed to the more flamboyantly mixed music popular in World Beat circles. Nonetheless, his music is a hybrid of East and West. It is also a hybrid of North and South, due to the many African influences running through Moroccan music and culture. Thanks to the richness of this musical heritage, Tarik easily crosses musical borders while retaining the best of his traditional musical training. As Tarik puts it, "Throughout my life I have resisted such boundaries. At the same time I appreciate and embrace my rich heritage as a stepping stone to creating new art, new music, new beauty."
Such an encounter between East
and West might, on the surface, seem forbidding: Arabic classical
music is based on intricate meters, a complicated maqam system
(something like a modal structure), microtones, and other musical
elements unfamiliar to Western audiences. Yet, there is also a
strong Arab musical tradition of complex improvisation and ornamentation
(taqasim) around the melody. This is something Westerners can
appreciate. It is this aspect of the tradition that Tarik brings
to the forefront in his music.
In fact, Tarik has taken the spirit of improvisation in some unique directions. Most startling to those familiar with Arab music will be Tarik's innovative use of an electric oud on several tracks. The sound is quite unique and illustrates perfectly his desire to push the boundaries of the traditional. Tarik's unique musical creations for the oud beautifully illustrate his contemporary approach to music, an approach which places greatest emphasis on innovation within tradition.
Most important of all, Tarik is
passionate about the music and intent on creating soft, lovely,
haunting melodies. "Music has always been a way of connecting
to a spiritual center and creating beauty," is how Tarik
explains his purpose. He has succeeded admirably. After listening
to this CD, I think you will agree with me that Tarik uses the
oud to create a beautiful, warm, subtle, and profoundly meditative
music.
Dr. David McMurray
Professor of Anthropology, Oregon State University
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REVIEWS
& COMMENTS| One of
the best East-meets-West bands of all time, and a joy to listen
to! ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: World Discoveries (click for website) CDs by Moroccan oud players are hard to find, never mind one who does solo improvisational music as well as plays in a band (Al-Andalus). Tarik Banzi's VISION (his musical plan, not just this cd) reminds me a great del of the East-meets-West experiments of the mid- to late-1960s known then as 'psychedelic music': both the music on Tarik's solo VISION and his group Al-Andalus have the spirit, sound, and idealism of that era. The big difference is that this is better. Instead of a Western guitarist trying to approximate the music of the East, we have someone who grew up in Morocco playing an Eastern instrument (oud), who then spent years in Spain studying Western music, particularly Moroccan-influenced music. On VISION Tarik overdubs himself on ouds both acoustic and electric. On two tunes he also adds percussion, and on these same two songs he also employs feedback as if he was playing a solid body guitar. I found this a little difficult, but forty years ago I'd have loved it. On the tenth cut, 'Exodus', he adds that wonderful African-derived instrument from Brazil the birimbao: this is a great touch, and hopefully a sign of things to come. Review covers 2 cds Al Andalus is a project of Moroccan-born oud player Banzi and his wife Julia Banzi, who plays guitar. Usually in a group like this a "pretty girl" sings or dances and yes, the group does have two ladies who fill that role, but Julia plays fine backup guitar that helps underline the oud playing of Tarik. She receives some great help from Joe Henieman on piano. Tarik also overdubs on bass, percussion, ney (a reed instrument), sentir and keyboards. Ranjani Kirshnan does a great job of the mostly-haunting vocals, including one tune from Southern India sung in Tamil - this from a group that claims to be based on the music of Moorish-controlled Andalusia Spain (when Spain was controlled by Muslims, but Jews and Christians supposedly lived in peace and harmony with them. This idylic scene was destroyed by the rise to power of Ferdinand and Isabella, and the Spanish Inquisition). I got the feeling GENETIC MEMORIES only offers a slice of what this band can really do, but even if VISION is much the same, that's nothing to be ashamed of: Al Andalus is one of the best East-meets-West bands of all time, and a joy to listen to! |
| The Oud,
at its most innovative in Banzi's talented hands ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: Backroads Music (click for website) The Oud is the quintessential classical Arabic musical instrument. It elicits a warm response from Western musical ears unaccustomed to the its intricacy and subtlety of this ten or eleven-stringed Middle Eastern forerunner of the European lute. Moroccan-born Tarik Banzi has also lived for many years in Spain, and later moved to the USA where he formed the multicultural musical group, Al-Andalus. On "Vision," Tarik explores the possibilities of the Oud, both acoustic and electric, in a true East-West encounter employing the full spirit of improvisation. And there are some unique directions taken, pushing boundaries while retaining the best of his traditional musical training. What really comes through is Tarik's passion for this music and his art in creating soft, lovely, haunting melodies. Besides the occasional percussion or berimbau, all of the music is from the Oud, at its most innovative in Banzi's talented hands! |
| Reviewer:
MOHAMED ROUZALI ***** (5 STARS) THE MUSIC TOOK ME BACK TO MY BOYHOOD YEARS IN JAMAA EL FNA.;VERY SOOTHING.THANK YOU AND KEEP UP. |
| One of
the most fascinating CDs ever, the music brings ancient and modern
worlds ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: Laura This is one of the most fascinating CD's ever. It brings the ancient world with the new and modern world, into ONE harmonious series of melodies. This music Creates a new dimension within the fussion of these ancient instruments, closing the gap of history among the ancient and the new world. Thanks!! Laura. |
| window to look
back to our root,door to open to concerve our tradition ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: zahiya khadiri exelent and overwelming,it took me back to my childhood memories,to the first time i felt in love,to my grandmother house in the medina in morocco.hope and nostalgie,tears and smile,that's what your music does to me and my brother.i'm impressed. keep up the good work |
| Great
Vision! ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: Marina Zona Great music - very inspiring and moving. Can we have more of the same please? |
| Wonderful
music! ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: Shari Love this cd! When I first heard the clips of the music on the Al-Andalus website I was thrilled. I had to purchase it and was not disappointed! |
| Truly
awesome and wonderful ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: Jim Alberta Like all of the works of al-andalus and Tarik & Julia Banzi this album is very beautiful and totally unique....words just cannot describe it. True artists in every sense of the word...musical, composotional, artistic (see their website to see some beautiful visuals)...these guys, and this guy in particular has no match!!!!!! If you want to support love and beauty in this world you should buy this album and all their works and send and receive the good karma :) |
| Complexity
and expression of feeling in this work is very moving. ***** (5 STARS) Reviewer: sally esparza This music evokes in me a connection to a far away place that I've never been to except with eyes closed. The complexity and expression of feeling in this work is very moving. It is quite beautiful to listen to and it makes me feel like dancing. |
| ***** (5 STARS)
Reviewer: Rene Christian First of all, it is exciting and rare to have a CD featuring just the oud. Vision's compositions are refreshingly original and cohesive. |
TRACK
BY TRACK: SOME RADIO (& OTHER) COMMENTARY
| 1. Intimacy | DOUG SPENCER (ABC RADIO NATIONAL: THE PLANET) The composer's oud, solo: mostly spare, true to the title & improvisatory. Builds to a "big finish." Essentially, but not only "Arabic classical" in nature) |
| 2. Tangier | |
| 3. Enigma | |
| 4. Maristan | |
| 5.
Vision |
DOUG SPENCER (ABC RADION NATIONAL: THE PLANET) unusual combination: oud {fretless Arabic lute} atop two slow-tolling berimbaus {Amzonian, musical bows with gourd resonators} (A veritable fantasia for the composer's oud, quite solo: very lyrical ). |
| 6. Hamama | DOUG SPENCER (ABC RADION NATIONAL: THE PLANET) (rhythmic piece for multiple ouds, an electric oud {essentially functioning as a distortion-to-max elec guitar} and percussion. The title is the Arabic word for "pigeon") |
| 7. Samarkand | THE PLANET (ABC RADIO) (Arabic-classical in form spare & beautiful modal improvisation for solo oud {fretless, Arabic lute}. To see & learn about the city he's evoking, have a look here: www.tashkent.org/uzland/samarkand.html |
| 8. Al Quds | |
| 9. Prayer | |
| 10. Exodus |
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