Muslim Palestinians Introduce Music Appreciation to Children

Palestinian girl attends a music class at the Gaza Music School Project in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza City, on 27 October 2008.

The school, the only one of its kind and was opened with funding from the Al-Qattan Foundation and the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.

The students are to be taught the fundamentals of the oud, guitar, violin, keyboard/piano, and kanoun.

Only five students per instrument are accepted into the program.

It was explained to me that this concept came about because I was required to study music appreciation in a school when I was about twelve or thirteen, which I will admit was beneficial for me.

While I was in the state of Oregon at the time and my music teacher who was an excellent teacher on this subject and took a special interest in me because I wanted to learn especially in the reading of music, which after this much time is probably poor; but nevertheless he was from Albany, New York.

I have never forgotten him because he was such a good teacher to all the students and they thoroughly enjoyed taking his class, as to my memory; he only came for a time to teach this particular class on music.

Something I did almost forget is for a time, I played the flute when I was about ten or eleven years-old; with a different school teacher who was before the one above, which she thought I was very good. But nevertheless, like so many things, it was only for a short time.

As even a younger child, I had a very good ear when it came to understanding about the playing of musical instruments; which was a bit interesting even for me.

I could here a piece of music played on the instrument of some type and then could play the piece of music on the same or similar instrument flawlessly, I was told; which was one of those thing’s I never could understand, how I could do this.

Guess it is just a gift, that I am not sure if I still have.

To what I understand of Edward Said, he was like so many people for a time in Palestine that was like a rabbit following the carrot when it came to the truth about the war and what is sad, he never lived long enough like the majority of us from Palestine to learn the truth.

To my understanding Said, was actually a good man in many area’s; which I will admit, I am not an expert on the man‘s life as a whole.-HRM Deborah

Peres Peace Concert Celebration a Success

Jewish President Shimon Peres speaks during the concert celebration for the Peres Center for Peace's10th anniversary at the Tel Aviv Opera House, on 27 October 2008; in Tel Aviv, Palestine.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres, founded the non-profit Center for Peace as means to promote peace activities in the Middle East.

Yusuf Islam; apparently was a very memorable evening for everyone, that will not be forgotten for a very long time to the very happy memories of the evening.

Furthermore, some of the finest and most notable people in the global community and music industry where in attendance; for the evening gala.

As HRM Deborah of Palestine was also invited to attend, she was much saddened because of her circumstances that she was unable to do so, otherwise, she would have been most happy to have attended the splendid evening.

A Night with Claude Debussy

The music under the picture is Arabesques Number 1, composed by Claude Debussy.

While I enjoy sharing that which is considered beautiful in this life, because it is not just a way to appreciate people; but to bring that which is beautiful into the human heart, even if it is for just a little time.

For the world is actually beautiful, just people tend to forget sometimes going through there daily life.-HRM Deborah

Paul McCartney to play Tel Aviv after 43 Years Beatle Ban

24 August 2008

The former lead singer of the Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney, has announced his plans to come to Palestine to perform next month.

The celebrated rock star will arrive in Palestine as part of a world tour, and will give a single concert at Tel Aviv's Park Hayarkon on 25 September.

McCartney was scheduled to perform in Palestine some 43 years ago with the Beatles, the legendary band of which he was a founding member.

But Jewish government officials banned them from appearing in 1965.

They refused to grant the necessary permits, citing concerns that the tousled-haired British band and its strident, amplified music could corrupt the morals of Jewish youth.

McCartney's manager Barry Marshall reportedly confirmed his arrival a few days ago, and approved the venue even though it does not include 250,000 seats, which is the singer's standard requirement.

The audience might be deterred by the ticket prices, which have yet to be determined but are likely to add up to several hundreds of shekels. This has been the case with other international rock stars, like Bjork and Leonard Cohen, who were scheduled to perform in Palestine this summer but had to cancel due to poor ticket sales.

Furthermore, as to the Queen of Palestine's idea of this situation, it should be understood, that even she refused to listen to some of the music by the Beatles at the height of their career; do to the fact even she did not consider it a good influence. It is hoped, that Sir Paul McCartney would follow the countries moral guidelines.

LL Cool J's message for President Bush

LL Cool J

21 August 2008

President Bush, LL Cool J has a few questions for you.

Joining Nas, Q-Tip and Jay-Z in turning rap away from pimpin' and toward politics, the elder statesman of hip hop subjects Dubya to a blistering interrogation on his new cut, "Mr. President."

"It's all about what I'd like to ask [him]," LL told us the other night at a downtown studio, where he let a few friends listen to his forthcoming album, "Exit 13" - his last for the Def Jam label.

Cranking up the bass till the floorboards throbbed, LL let track 14 rip:

"Mr. President, are you aware/Our flesh and blood is dying over there?/When the coffins come back, do you care?/When only the poor kids die, is it fair?/Don't get me wrong. I respect the flag/But it hurts to see a kid in a body bag/He fought for his country with all he had/Now we have a family without a dad."

The song moves on to other policy issues:

"Mr. President, are you aware unless you're rich, you have poor health care/It makes you scream and want to pull out your hair/Discharged from the hospital soon as you get there."

Would he like to get the disk to the White House?

"Tell me how to set that up, and I would be there in a heartbeat," he said, smirking.

LL fine-tuned the album for the past 2%BD years, during which time he turned down a half-dozen movie roles. Out Sept. 9, it's also filled with less polemic tracks and funny rhymes that had heads in the studio bobbing.

The rapper didn't stop moving once. Despite being 40, Mr. "Ladies Love Cool James" still has the abs and pecs of a 20-year-old.

His secret?

"Start young. Always stay in the gym. It's funny because hip hoppers age in dog-years, but I'm still young for a human,even though I'm a granddad of the rap game."

Another one bites the dust

23 July 2008

Snoop Dogg cancels Palestine gig, not because of internal problems with ticket sells or other production problems, but his respect for the country of Palestine and all her people and it was reported, Dogg was upset over U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s; recent illegal visit to the country.

With this understanding, Snoop Dogg should be given gratitude by all the Palestinian people, for his kindness towards our plight.

Something that is well known about the Queen of Palestine, she has always had great respect for the U.S. Black Community.

Jerusalem's Music Festival kicked Off

Palestinian musician Simon Shahin (CR) performs on the opening night of the Jerusalem music festival at the Tombs of the Kings in Jerusalem, on 23 July 2008.

Jerusalem's music festival kicked off today, with a performance by virtuoso violinist and oud player Shahin.

Delta Goodrem: In This Life

At just 23, Delta Goodrem is already one of Australia’s most successful and highest-selling female artists. Now Australia’s best kept secret is ready to be shared with the rest of the world: her first international album Delta is set for release on 15 July 2008 on Decca.

It is my understanding, Delta Goodrem wishes to visit Palestine and perhaps have a concert; she is most welcome in the country.

What I have seen of this beautiful singer is she not only has a wonderful voice, but a type of inner beauty; that is not always seen in the world today.

Nevertheless, apparently, Delta Goodrem is also a child prodigy, having began playing the piano, at the age of seven.

I will further admit, that Delta Goodrem reminds me of music, I liked in my youth.

Just as a suggestion to her, that the more feminine flowing attire enhances one’s beauty, while the more revealing or tight, takes something away; as well as I think, these types of styles are becoming a thing of the past.

Nevertheless, I will say Australia over the years has had some of the most beautiful singers, which has graced the world, from this amazing country.

Another thing about Australia that has always intrigued me was the varieties of wildlife that I do not think are found in other parts of the world; as well as for being an Island, the terrain always appeared to me to be diversified. Nevertheless, I was always interested in Australia’s sheep stations.

'We are the Google of music'

1 July 2008

by Ofer Petersburg

Jewish entrepreneurs launch new search engine for internet music files. 'We are music industry's future,' says entrepreneur Deddy Schwartz

A group of Jewish entrepreneurs is trying to compete against existing internet music files by launching Jogli.com – a new music search engine. Jogli allows users to listen to full songs and albums by various artists.

According to entrepreneur Deddy Schwartz, the website’s database contains more than 500 songs and 12 million full albums. The website has also received excellent reviews from the technology blog TechCrunch.

The website is currently in its trial period (beta phase),mainly offering users search results from YouTube. Jogli enables surfers to listen to the music on the site, while search results are accompanied by the songs’ lyrics, links to additional albums by the same artist or similar artists, and more.

Schartz says the main difference between Jogli and other competing sites is the song selection. “We are the Google of music,” says Schwartz. “Other sites offer tens of thousands or hundreds of thousand songs, but on our site you can find more then 500 million - and not only popular music.”

Schwartz added that in the future, Jogli will provide songs from sources other than YouTube: “We can hook up to any site with a song selection and add it to our database. As a start, it was easier for us to hook up to YouTube because they pay the artists and therefore offer a larger selection.”

Jogli also arranges the songs according to albums, so that the user doesn’t have to search for each song separately whether on YouTube or any other site, but is given the full song list. Users can also build their own song lists by dragging the song icons to their personal music library on Jogli.

And what about copyrights? “We don’t store music or create music,” says Schwartz. “All we do is refer to other internet websites where an artist and his songs can be located. Therefore, we are not violating any law.”

According to Schwartz, international music companies have shown an interest in investing in the site. “They understand that we will change the ancient laws of the music industry. We are the music industry’s future,” he proudly said.

Asma Allah

Oh Allah, and the believers, send salutations upon Muhammad (PBUH), upon his family and upon his companions; be gentle with the whole of the Ummah.

For there is no God, but Allah and Allah is great.

By Sami Yusuf, from his new album, 'Without You,' due out in August 2008.

Introduction to Jazz

“Satchmo” Louis Armstrong with his famous trumpet sounds and he was also known as the man with the raspy singing voice. This man was able to make a trumpet do what ever he wished it too, I often waited as a child, to see if he could make it walk. He was an icon from New Orleans.

by HRM Deborah

The origins of Jazz came about when people from Africa were put aboard ships as forced labor to America, especially to work on Plantations to increase the American economy of the time.

Nevertheless, to express there hardships of being forced labor, came about by music and song, to help relieve the suffering.

As in some other parts of the world, certain forms of poetry, also came into being because of suffering and not allowed to express certain feeling in the usual manner.

The flavor of Jazz is considered, West African in nature with the later influence of European and French, especially in New Orleans which is by many considered the birth place of not just Jazz, but the blues.

While some consider this type of music strictly American, it in actually is not because of the West African origins, but became considered more so, because of the people that was brought to America as forced labor.

It has been said from the beginning, that if one truly doesn’t suffer on the inside and feel the pain, they actually can not play Jazz or the blues effectively.

Some of the greatest Jazz musicians that most people think of, had there beginnings on the streets of New Orleans or in the seedy dives down in the French quarter, because before the civil rights movement (began in 1955) they were not allowed to play in the better places in the cities and this included other cities like in New York City‘s Harlem district, where the Cotton Club came into being with such Jazz musicians as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bessie Smith, Cab Calloway played and was not always kind to the Black musicians which temporary caused its closing after a race riot in 1936.

There are numerous aspects that a person could write on the subject of Jazz, but a true lover of Jazz has respect for the history as well as the contributions that not just black people made to the America fabric through this form of music, but great respect for the black community as a whole.

New Orleans is Coming to Caesarea

11 June 2008

Three of the very best international ensembles in traditional jazz are coming to the ancient harbor to play live against marvelous background of blazing sunsets, blue seas and ancient temples.

This summer - like every summer - an unforgettable jazz experience awaits us at Caesarea's ancient harbor.

This year we've put a special emphasis on large ensembles known for their electrifying, brilliant performance, carrying with them the authentic spirit of the early 1900s in New Orleans.

It started out as a local musical phenomenon in a rather clearly defined geographical area in the United States. Gradually it became the obsession of jazz artists and numerous audiences across the globe, enthusiastically flocking to countless festivals dedicated to this music.

The jazz festival at the ancient harbor of Caesarea takes place for the fourth time. For thousands of jazz loving people, this means that the music of New Orleans is coming back to town.
This year's opening show will began, Thursday, June 12, for further details, visit the Caesarea Harbor Jazz Festival Web site .

On a personal note:

I have enjoyed old style New Orleans Jazz since I was a child, for there is nothing like it in the world, for its charm and unique style.

For New Orleans with its rich history and French Cajun/Creole flavor, it is a place that is unique within the city it’s self, all the way to the Mississippi river.

The first musician that I ever heard, was Louis Armstrong and from his music I went to appreciating other musicians from this historic city.

On thing that is still a scar on New Orleans, is the repair after hurricane Katrina is so slow that in numerous places it still looks just like it did right after Katrina occurred.

The sorrow of that day and the fact that New Orleans is still devastated in places can still be seen that it weighs heavy on New Orleans residences hearts.

It is thought in part the fact the U.S. President George W. Bush and FEMA lied to the people of New Orleans, for the promises made and where never kept.

Blondie to perform this summer

Debbie Harry's legendary rock band to arrive in Israel in July as part of world tour marking 30 years since release of its first album

by Or Barnea

American rock band Blondie is coming to Israel this summer, and will perform at the Raanana Park Amphitheater on July 3 as part of a tour marking 30 years since the band's first album, "Parallel Lines", was released.

Debbie Harry's legendary band is being brought to Israel by veteran producer Shuky Weiss, who is also behind the planned arrivals of other nostalgic figures to Israel this summer, including Morrissey, Siouxsie Sioux and Bjork

The group, which gained fame in the late seventies and disbanded several years later, began its comeback about a decade ago. Five years ago the band released its album "The Curse of the Blondie" and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Following the re-release of its first album, Harry (62) and her band launched a world tour that will begin in the US. Israel is scheduled to be Blondie's first stop in its European tour.

MTV Australia Awards 2008 Arrivals

Israel arrives at the MTV Australia Awards 2008 at the Australian Technology Park, Redfern on 26 April 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

This year's event, the first in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), will feature 8 musical performances and eleven awards presented across music, film, television and sport.

Israel (second from left) and guests arrive at the MTV Australia Awards 2008.

Midday (Avoid the City after Dark)

Yusuf Islam

Doing good towards others and avoiding the pitfalls that come from Satan, for it is always good to live an upright life. Because life can be so beautiful sometimes, beyond what one could possibly imagine.

Furthermore, living a good life is too many times most enjoyable, along with the extraordinary beauty.

What is always interesting to me in this video, is Satan is portrayed as a bald headed man in a long black leather coat, with what appears as a constant smile at the young man’s constant failings.

Malak Gheir Allah

“You Only Have Allah to Count On,”

23 August 2007

by Housewife4Palestine

This video, which was launched in Al-Basateen Shopping Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, choosing as its target audience young men and women. The producers chose to launch it in a place popular mall for the very reason that this is where young people often hang out.

I believe its intention was to target "moderate" Muslim's, but the message in the video seems to be to the contrary; unless it is a message geared towards being better Muslims.

For it is becoming a growing concern that “moderate” Muslim’s are seriously missing the intent of what it truly means to be a good Muslim. For it is showing more all the time, they are not following the true dictates of Islam, but more to a watered down or selective version which is not acceptable as far as Allah would be concerned or true Islam.

As for the video's content, it deals with a young man who does not perform his religious duties and when the world turns its back on him, he begins to rethink his life toward repentance.

Allahu (As subuhu bada min)

by Qari Waheed Zafar

ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS:

The morning light is by your countenance,
And the splendor of the night by your plaits.
The master is a treasure of grace,
The master is a treasure of mercy.
He is the guide of the whole community,
And the one who shows the way of the Sacred Law.
They came upon the gesture of a finger,
Stones from the Hijaz began to speak.
And the moon was split in two,
By a single gesture of the finger
On the night of the Ascension,
The Archangel Gabriel came with tidings of God.
Allah called him to the heavens,
[And] bestowed upon him thehonor of intimacy.


Beautiful still clips of nature and Mosques from around the world. Classical Allahu naat recited by Qari Wahid Zafar in Urdu and Arabic. ~shoorooz

"Palestine"

"The Muslim Ummah is like the human body, when one part of that body aches; the whole body aches. "


Mohammad (PBUH)

A clip of 786 (Seven 8 Six) performing their hit song 'Palestine' live at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.

For more info visit www.nasheeds.com or www.meemmusic.com)

Free Palestine Song by Reef Ali

Courtesy of...

David Rovics New Orleans

I wrote this while in a state of sleep deprivation in Beirut, Lebanon, in early September, 2005, and I recorded it at the studios of Amwaj Radio 91.5 in Ramallah, Occupied Palestine. You will find the song at the top of the "MP3 MUSIC" section of www.soundclick.com/davidrovics along with everything else I've recorded since 1998. As with all of my music, lyrics, etc., feel free to use it for any purpose and spread the word about the song if you're so inclined!

The Stain of Tears
This is a sculpture in the Metairie Cemetery.