Harem ENHANCED EXTRA TRACKS Import by Sarah Brightman

Harem ENHANCED EXTRA TRACKS Import

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Harem ENHANCED EXTRA TRACKS Import

Reader Reviews
From the get go, one can tell this isn't necessarily true Arabic music as the title is "Harem". It's a worthy effort, but fails to truly capture what makes Arabic music so wonderful. Although, the instrumentation does follow the traditional sound of what's used in Middle Eastern music, it's final product is one big stereotypical,over sensationalized interpretation of Far East music. Her perception of the Middle Eastern culture itself, is very early 1900's. She paints this picture of camels, belly dancers, and harems, which is very cute and imaginative but simply can't be classified as Arabic music. My biggest complaint would probably have to be the tune "Arabian Nights", it's beginning reminds me of that of a Broadway play and as it drags on, she goes so far as to sing in Hindi. My understanding is that this piece is supposed to be Middle Eastern,not Indian. Everytime people cross over into Arabic music, they feel the need to mix in the sound of Indian music. Two different cultures, which further plays into the fact that Brightman truly doesn't has an understanding of what Middle eastern music is all about. It's as if she watched Oscar Wilde's play about the seven veiled dancer, and made a soundtrack to go along with it. Don't get me wrong,I have to say, although a bit cheesy, the song "Harem" is probably the best perceived attempt at world music. The string arrangements and drums are probably what makes it. I'm not feeling the techo, but I suppose it does add something to the rather silly lyrics. She takes a break from "world" music in Misere Mei and Stranger in Paradise, which are probably the most reputable as the others are generic and sloppily put together. Also, her rendition of "What a wonderful world" is well...interesting. The 30 second sample is quite self expanatory. All in all, the music is pretty,expressive, and at times sappy. I would recommend this to other people, but I would classify it as "Classical and Techno meets European interpretation of far east culture", not world music. Overall it's a fun CD, but doesn't deserve the overrated praise it's getting.

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