Search - Hemisphere :: Amal Murkus

"My Homeland, My Beloved" ~ A Voice Less Heard

Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 08/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amal Murkus is a Palestinian actress, singer and poet born in Galilee in '68. I had never heard of her until I happened to come across this CD recently while shopping on-line. I had an immediate hunch about this one so I decided to make the purchase and see what she's all about. I'm glad I did.



While her music is undeniably Middle Eastern, I found her voice surprisingly reminiscent of the legendary Edith Piaf. Or maybe it's not so much her voice but her ability to express the same level of intensity and angst of the French diva which makes her music so stirring and accessible to the non-Semitic world.



The CD simply named 'Amal' is a beautifully conceived journey through the minds and hearts of the Palestinian longing for a homeland. The music is gentle and soothing to the ears, the words lyrical, poetic and pregnant with symbolic meaning; a stone, a white dove, a rose with thorns and children at play. In juxtaposition to these gentle, nostalgic thoughts that conjure up the pleasantries of life you also find harsher, harder edged imagery such as a caged bird frantic for freedom, an angry official demanding documents and young children sacrificing their innocence and lives as suicide bombers.



Amal has the unique talent of lulling her listening audience into a state of reverie and openness before striking with a political and social ferousity seldom reached by contemporary songwriters. Considering the fact that these twelve tracks are performed in Arabic it's fortunate that the CD is accompanied by a 14 page cover/insert with English liner notes. I urge you to read them while you're listening in order to experience the full impact of Amal's music and message.



Contents:

1) Hkaye - A Tale

2) Hulum - A Dream

3) Taalu - Come On Poets

4) La Ahada Yalam - No One Knows

5) Tamahali

6) Risalatohu Lakhira - His Last Letter

7) Ya Oud

8) Asfur - The Bird

9) Alouf Mashaal

10) Ya ba la la - Love Song

11) Dunia Lwan - Colorful World

12) Yaumiat jorh falastini - The Memories of a Palestinian Wound



I realize many may find this CD a little threatening due to the subject matter but step outside the box for a moment and give it a listen. Like it or not, examining different perspectives is the first step on the road to reconcillation."

Ikteer 7ilow!

PhoenixTree | Seattle | 06/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just recieved this cd two days ago and it has quickly become my favorite cd. Amal Murkus' has an exquisitly beautiful voice almost reminiscent of the legendary Fairuz; and yet still distinguished enough to hold its own. But what adds to the esteem of this eclectic cd is the beautiful lyrics of the poets. Every song is a metaphor for something else, and although 'Asfour' may sound like an upbeat track i find its lyrics to be, perhaps, the most sad. I cannot believe what a great cd this is, and its a shame that such an item is hard to find in the states. Amal means 'hope,' in Arabic, and Amar Murkus is a bold communist christian Arab who worked hard to make this album alongside her husband and an entourage of great Arab and Jewish musicians. Her soft nightingale voice commingles with traditional Palestinian drums as well as the plucky resonant vibrations of the oud and acoustic guitar. Be wary however, this cd is wrought with emotion and i tear up nearly everytime i listen to it. The translations are available on the booklet along with the lyrics written in Arabic; just BEAUTIFUL! I would say nearly in the vain of contemporary artists like Souad Massi.



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