Oud Artistry of John Berberian
“… this set should appeal, not only to belly dancers, but also to jazz fans with an ear for the unusual.” So Cash Box, the widely respected record industry trade paper, summed up John Berberian’s “Expressions East” album. We at Mainstream felt this accolade was particularly significant because it was based, not only on aesthetic criteria, but on potential salability as well. Happily the Cash Box prognosis proved accurate. John’s album was a “giant” in terms of sales and acceptance.
“Oud Artistry of John Berberian” is, of course, the follow-up album to “Expressions East” and it is no less an impressive affair. Again on this album John has brought together some of the finest exponents of Armenian, Turkish, and Arabic music, including James Shahrigian, bass; Souren Baronian, clarinet and bongos; John Yalenezian, dumbeg; Jack Chalikian, canun; Steve Pumilia, finger cymbals, def, dumbeg and tambourine; John Valentine, guitar and dudoog and Bob Tashjian, vocals.
“AZZIZA” is a driving Arabic instrumental with the oud and bongos setting the pace in frantic counter action. “BIR-DEMET YASEMEN” is a dramatic presentation of 6/8 rhythm coupled with a profound lyric. “SEVAN 5/4” is an instrumental native to Armenia. The title refers to the unorthodox 5/4 meter. “SAVGULUM” is a pulsating example of a rhythm that never ceases; of a composition that is never forgotten. “YARUS” is a prize in Armenian vocal composition. Here again one is struck by the profundity of the lyric. “SEVASDA” features words and melody that are traditionally Turkish. The 6/8 time signature however is common to much of the music of the Middle East.
“RAST TAKSIM” refers to a form of improvisation. It’s often meant as an introductory passage, however, it’s here presented as a complete work expressive of mood and emotion. “RAST SAZSEMI”-the Sazsemi is a classic example of Turkish art music.
Tracks
AZZIZA
BIR-DEMET
YASEMEN SEVAN 5/4
SAVGULUM
YARUS
SEVASDA
RAST TAKSIM
RAST SAZSEMI
Personnel and instrumentation
OUD – John Berberian
GUITAR & DUDOOG – John Valentine
CLARINET & BONGOS – Souren Baronian
FINGER CYMBALS, DEF, DUMBEG, TAMBOURINE – Steve Pumilia
DUMBEG – John Yalenezian
BASS -James Shahrigian
CANUN – Jack Chalikian
VOCALS – Bob Tashjian
Artist & Repertoire – BOB SHAD
Original Recording Engineer – JOHN CUE
Mastering – HAL DIEPOLD
Production Coordinator – HARRY RINGLER
Album Coordination – ELENA FESTA
Cover Art and Design – JACK LONSHEIN
Typography – THE COMPOSING ROOM, INC.
Printing and Fabrication – GLOBE ALBUMS, INC.
Label: Mainstream Records
Catalog: S/6047
M. R. I., 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10019
Information is taken from the cover of the record.
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