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Middle Eastern Classics
by
Al 'Azifoon with dancer Mielle at Belly Dance Fantasia Festival, San Leandro, CA 2006 Al 'Azifoon
is now on
Al 'Azifoon plays instrumental and vocal music from the following Arabic genres: Note: click on the highlighted titles for sample recordings - or visit our
DANCERS: Please try our NEW on-line form for song requests for upcoming performances!
Paul Ohanesian, Yosifah Rose and Nathan Craver
Facebook,
YouTube and 
AC5!
Song List:
Raqs Sharqi, classical Arabic pieces, Muwashahat, folk songs, and popular songs, including, but not limited to:
YouTube channel for video performances of many of these songs!
Akhod Habibi
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The attached MP3 file is our band's shortened arrangement of the classic studio recording by Faiza Ahmed.
Ala Dela 'Ona
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Lebanese Debke
Alf Leyla Wa Leyla
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Instrumental introduction to the Om Koulthoum classic
Composed by Belig Hamdi
Video: Ahava dances to Alf Leyla Wa Leyla
Video: Zahara dances to Alf Leyla Wa Leyla
Video: Monica dances to Alf Leyla Wa Leyla at Rakkasah 2011
Ana Fi Intizarak
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' with Ling Shien and Mark Bell of Helm
Om Koulthoum classic
Composed by Zakariya Ahmad and Bayram al-Tunsi
Andah Alaek
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Al 'Azifoon Home Studio Recording
Instrumental introduction to the Warda classic
Composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Aziza
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
From the 1955 film Aziza, starring Naima Akef
Composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Batwannes Bik
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The attached MP3 file is our band's shortened arrangement of the classic studio recording byWarda.
Bint Al Shalabiya
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Originally recorded by Fairuz
Bint Al Shalabiya is a traditional Lebanese and Palestinian folk song that is reputed to date back to 1901;
however, it was rearranged by the Rahbani Brothers for Fairuz and has since become known as one of her signature songs.
Video: Livi dances to Bint Al Shalibiya
Duqq' Al Mazahar
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Al 'Azifoon Home Studio Sample
Egyptian wedding song (Zaffa)
El Helwa Di
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Al 'Azifoon rehearsal with Ling Shien and Mark Bell of Helm
(This Pretty Lady) Composition and lyrics by Sheik Sayed Darwish (1892-1923) of Egypt.
Video: 'Live' at Rakkasah 2009 with Troupe Tangiers
Fakkarouni
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco (with Cynthia Rutherford on tabla)
Instrumental introduction to the Om Koulthoum classic
Composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Video: Cassandra dances to Fakkarouni
Video: Livi dances to Fakkarouni
Video: Natira dances to Fakkarouni
Gamil Gamal
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' with Ling Shien and Mark Bell of Helm
Classic by Farid Al-Atrache
from the film Lahn AL-Kholood (Immortal Song)
Ghanilli Shwey Shwey
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at Rakkasah 2011
Originally Sung by Om Koulthoum in the 1944 film Sallama
Composed by Zakariya Ahmad
Ya Habibi Ya Eini
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco (with Cynthia Rutherford on tabla)
Lebanese classic song from the 80's
made popular by Maya Yazbeck with her brother Bassem on tabla!
Habibi Ya Nour Al 'Ayn
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Egyptian pop song by Amr Diab
Video: Najmes dances to Habibi Ya Nour Al Ayn
Hebbina
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
From the 1975 film Nagham Fi Hayati (Melody In My Life),
starring the composer Farid Al-Atrache
Video: 'Live' at Rakkasah 2009
Itmakhtari
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Al 'Azifoon Home Studio Sample
Egyptian wedding song (Zaffa)
Lamma Badda
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Samai 10/8 Rhythm
Credited to Ziryab circa 800AD
Layla
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Khaleegi Rhythm from the Arab Gulf Region
Laylet Hob
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco (with Cynthia Rutherford)
Instrumental introduction to the Om Koulthoum classic
Composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab in 1973
Muhobbet
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Also known as "Ah Ya Zein"
Nassam Alayn el-Hawa
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Sung by Fairuz in the 1967 film Bint Al Hariss
Composed by the Rahbani Brothers
Video: Jennifer dances to Nassam Alayn el-Hawa, Qanun Taqsim, Drum Solo
Rakkasah West Festival, Richmond, CA on March 12, 2011
Qadduka el-Mayyas
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Syrian song by Sabah Fahkri
Raqs Leyla
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Video: Liviah dances to Raqs Leyla, Oud Taqsim, Drum Solo
Rakkasah West Festival, Richmond, CA on March 13, 2011
Samra Ya Samra
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
Originally written and recorded by Karim Mahmoud
Video: Sahar dances to Samra Ya Samra 1/4/09
Video: Sahar dances to Samra Ya Samra 2/1/09
Skaba
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Syrian folk song
Taht El Shibbak
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
A classic Egyptian song, Taht el-Shibbak ("Under the Window") in the baladi style of music with many slightly different recorded versions in existence. This song was first featured in the 1946 film, Lehbet el Set (or Libat al Sitt "The Woman's Game"), starring Taheyya Carioca. A video clip of her dancing this song in the movie is available at:
Video: Taht Al Shibbak from 1946 movie Lehbet el Set with dancing by Taheyya Carioca
Video: 'Live' at Rakkasah 2009 with Troupe Tangiers
Video: 'Live' at El Morocco 2011 with Sherifa Al Bakkar
Tamr Henna
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
From the 1957 film Tamr Henna with Naima Akef
Composed by Daoud Hosni
Video: 'Live' at Rakkasah 2009 with Khalilah
Tfarrag Al Halawa
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Original version by Metkal Kenawi
Video: 'Live' at Rakkasah 2009 with Troupe Tangiers
Ya Shadil Al Han
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Century-old Said Darwish song, in the Muwashahat style.
Transliteration and translation of the lyrics.
Zaffa Medley:
- Itmakhtari
- Duqq' Al Mazahar ~
Al 'Azifoon 'live' at an outdoor wedding, June 2008
Medley of Egyptian wedding songs
The bride for this wedding requested that her Zaffa start
at a "dignified and stately tempo with no zhagreets"
and then pick up in tempo as the Zaffa procession continued.
This recording was taken from a handheld video camera.
We have included it for reference use only.Zay El Hawa
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The attached MP3 file is our band's much shortened arrangement of a live version by Abdel Halim Hafez.
Zeina
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Al 'Azifoon 'live' at El Morocco
From the film Zanouba, starring Samia Gamal
Thanks to Sausan for sending us the film!
Composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Photo of Al 'Azifoon performing a Zaffa Wedding Procession for an outdoor wedding celebration in June 2010
on the rooftop garden at the Kaiser Center in Oakland, CA.
(Al 'Azifoon members Nathan Craver and Yosifah Rose performed with Mark Bell of Helm for this particular event.
Visit Mark Bell's band Helm at http://www.helmmusic.com)
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Taqsim and Rhythm examples:
Qanun Taqsim by Yosifah, with Chiftetelli backing by the guys, Live at El Morocco
Oud Taqsim by Nathan, with Masmoudi backing, Live at El Morocco
Oud Taqsim by Nathan, with Rhumba backing, Live at El Morocco
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Nathan has some more examples of his oud taqsims, recorded at the 2006 Belly Dance Fantasy Festival, on his Eastern Strings site.
(Go to the Recordings page and click the Al 'Azifoon link.)
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Insha'Allah, we continue to add music to our repertoire, so please check our website for updated listings.
Also, we sometimes add updated live sound files from our live performances,
so you can hear our live versions of these classic songs!
What are your favorite Classical Arabic songs?
Please contact us to suggest additional material to add to our playlist!
Please email us your suggestions and feedback!
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Al 'Azifoon at El Morocco, with host Fadil Shahin, February 2009:
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| Contact | ~ | The Musicians | ~ | The Instruments | ~ | Upcoming Performances | ~ | Past Performances |