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New Joseph Tawadros Album

LeeVaris - 5-8-2010 at 03:08 PM

Hi all,

Just wanted to let everyone know that Joe has a new album coming out – an amazing Jazz album due out next month - you can pre-order here:

http://www.birdland.com.au/catalogue/category634/p58648

I was privileged to be at the recording sessions where I took all the photos use for the CD cover and inside booklet. The music is truly amazing. This is a jazz album of all original compositions by Joeseph with some amazing percussion work by his brother James. He is playing here with Jack DeJohnette on drums, John Patitucci on bass and John Abercrombie on guitar - a giants ensemble. James has an astounding duet with Jack - he makes his riq sound like Jack's large drum kit!

Joe is really pushing the oud into a fresh new Jazz territory - a much more energetic, swinging sound than Anouar Brahem... He gives and takes with this stellar lineup of Jazz greats. The musicians had a great time during the recording and it shows - you simply must get this album!

bibo10 - 5-8-2010 at 08:36 PM

James is a beassstttttt....i love the Tawadros bros
God bless them

Ararat66 - 5-9-2010 at 04:38 AM

Alongside Joe and James those jazzers are some of my favourite musicians from well bvefore I knew the oud - this is indeed an amazing prospect. Good health to you Joe and James ... can't wait to get this.

Leon

farukturunz - 5-9-2010 at 08:02 AM

Congratulations Joe and James Brothers!
Thank you so much, Lee for this good news.

Edward Powell - 5-11-2010 at 02:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by LeeVaris

Hi all,

Just wanted to let everyone know that Joe has a new album coming out – an amazing Jazz album due out next month - you can pre-order here:

http://www.birdland.com.au/catalogue/category634/p58648

I was privileged to be at the recording sessions where I took all the photos use for the CD cover and inside booklet. The music is truly amazing. This is a jazz album of all original compositions by Joeseph with some amazing percussion work by his brother James. He is playing here with Jack DeJohnette on drums, John Patitucci on bass and John Abercrombie on guitar - a giants ensemble. James has an astounding duet with Jack - he makes his riq sound like Jack's large drum kit!

Joe is really pushing the oud into a fresh new Jazz territory - a much more energetic, swinging sound than Anouar Brahem... He gives and takes with this stellar lineup of Jazz greats. The musicians had a great time during the recording and it shows - you simply must get this album!

I'm curious... how did this project come about? Will it be a band with tours and stuff, or was it just a one time thing to get together and record an album....?

Congrats JT :buttrock:

fernandraynaud - 5-11-2010 at 05:58 PM

Good news, I look forward to more oud experiments. Members who are younger might not recognize the stature of players such as Abercrombie, DeJohnette, and Patitucci.

I wonder if one reason Joseph Tawadros was able to corral such a group of eminent jazz musicians isn't because of his Turunz oud? As for enticing the more old-fashioned classical and baroque players, who might yearn for the days of monarchy, there's always instruments from "The King".

Edward Powell - 5-11-2010 at 11:31 PM

Speaking of KINGS, I predict that JT becomes the new OUD KING of the world (at least in terms of Western Audience). He is still just a young guy and already he is kicking ass with living jazz legends, symphony orchestras and you name it, and all the while he retains a pure oriental style (when he wants to). Technically he can hold his own against any of the super "sportsman-type" musicians out there. I predict that in his lifetime he will perhaps do more to bring the oud to the attention of the West than perhaps anyone else has done so far.

On that note, I guess Anouar and Rabi Abou would be the current OUD KINGS in terms of Western audience - am I correct, or are there others?

fernandraynaud - 5-12-2010 at 02:23 AM

If Mehdi Haddab just got more khat, energy and gigs, he could be it for now. Long term Tawadros is likely IT.

Edward Powell - 5-12-2010 at 02:34 AM

What is "khat"?

fernandraynaud - 5-12-2010 at 02:48 AM

It's a small animal you feed to your dog.

Are you an candidate for my apprentice program? You wealthy?

Here is what the Dee Ee Ay says:

Street terms for Khat: (pronounced Cot) Abyssinian tea, African salad, oat, kat, chat, and catha.i Also referred to as qat in Yemen, tschat in Ethiopia, and miraa in Kenya ii

What does Khat look like? iii
# Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
# Khat that is sold and abused is usually just the leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub.

How is Khat used?iv
# Khat is typically chewed like tobacco.
# The fresh leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub are chewed, and then retained in the cheek and chewed intermittently to release the active drug.
# Dried plant material can be made into tea or a chewable paste.
# Khat can also be smoked and even sprinkled on food.

What are some consequences of Khat use? v
# Common side effects include anorexia, tahycardia, hypertension, insomnia, and gastric disorders.
# Chronic Khat abuse can result in symptoms such as physical exhaustion, violence, and suicidal depression.
# Widespread frequent use of Khat impacts productivity because it tends to reduce worker motivation.
# Khat can induce manic behaviors, hyperactivity, and hallucinations.vi
# There are reports of Khat-induced psychosis.vii

Who uses Khat? viii
# The use of Khat is an established cultural tradition for many social situations in the areas of primary cultivation: East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
# Several million people may currently be using Khat worldwide.
# The largest concentrations of users are in the regions surrounding the Middle East.

How does Khat get to the United States?ix
# Khat, while illegal in the United States, is legal in much of Europe, East Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.
# Individuals of East African and Middle Eastern descent are mot often responsible for the importation, distribution, possession, and use of Khat in the United States.
# Khat is usually shipped already packaged in bundles, and wrapped in plastic bags or banana leaves to retain moisture and freshness.
# Khat is generally smuggled in passenger luggage, overnight express mail, or shipped as air cargo and falsely labeled as "vegetables."

How much does Khat cost?
# Exactly prices are not known, but Khat is a relatively costly drug

littleseb - 5-12-2010 at 04:40 AM

dunno how much people in the states pay, apparently round about $20 a bundle.
it's perfectly legal here in the uk, and probably one of the cheapest drugs out there:
£3 for a bundle of kenyan mirra, £6 for a bundle of ethiopian harari. prices rocket when there's a draught. during the flight halts due to the volcanic eruptions a bundle of mirra went for £20.
a bundle is enough to share for lightweights like me and my girlfriend, but hardcore users can chew six or seven bundles a night.
it's only legal in the uk and holland, so london is seen as a smuggling hub for the states and other european countries.
qat is the perfect drug for making music (including playing oud). it makes you loose your sense of time, and before you know it you've concentrated for 8 hours and recorded an entire album. perfect for a friday evening to wind down after a stressful week at work.
it has been attempted on several occassions to outlaw the drug, but it was decided that such action would cause to much publicity, as it is still largely only consumed by Yemenis, Somalis, and Ethiopians (and some german freak living in London with a passion for oud music).
over all a relatively harmless drug, even though it carries enough bad side effects if overdone. Just like any other stimulant.
let's hope our new conservative government has too much to worry about to review the legal status of this leave.

Greg - 5-12-2010 at 05:41 AM

Thanks Lee for sharing this information with us. I'm really looking forward to the release of this one.
I have long been a fan of John Abercrombie and I was over the moon when Joe told me he was going to New York to record with him (and Jack DeJohnette & John Patitucci).

I was fortunate enough to hear a few 'rough mix' tracks when I had breakfast with Joe and James recently.
I heard enough to know that it will be a great album.

And Lee I know the album art will also be splendid, with your fabulous photos.

Warm regards,

Greg

Edward Powell - 5-12-2010 at 05:44 AM

are there some short sample clips anywhere?

Cover

LeeVaris - 5-12-2010 at 07:13 AM

No clips yet but here's the cover

Attachment: DragThingSnapz001.tiff (812kB)
This file has been downloaded 207 times

Jpeg Cover

LeeVaris - 5-12-2010 at 07:16 AM

Oops that should have been a Jpeg- here you go:

back cover

LeeVaris - 5-12-2010 at 07:28 AM

Here's the back cover:

Poster

LeeVaris - 5-12-2010 at 08:21 AM

Sorry, I can't post any music clips yet...

bibo10 - 5-12-2010 at 08:28 AM

That's a sweet cover Lee. If you are not sure who I am, it's Michael. We had dinner with Joe and James when they were here last time in NYC.

I Can't wait to hear the album, specifically Forbidden Fruit. I bet you it's an intense one. Also Midnight Prayer sounds promising.

In regards to what Ed was saying about Joe, I completely agree with you. I am no expert plus my young age (22, don't hate ppl) so i am no one to judge, but I admire Joe's playing. And yes I agree that there is sooo much potential for him. The man is in his mid 20's and look at him already (knock on wood. God bless you Joe AND James :applause

I am just gonna sit here and enjoy waiting to see his music get better and better.

Joe has a different style than all other players out there. He has a different feel. I am a huge of the traditional Egyptian style and the taqsims, but I still enjoy and love every track in Joe's modern styled albums. Plus the fact that I know what Joe is capable of as far as traditional playing, makes me really excited to wait and see what he to offer in that area. Not that he didn't already but I am hungry for more :airguitar:

Nonetheless, I find all Joe's albums very interesting. I never thought you could mix the oud with bass and guitar and get such beautiful jams. I mean look at Oasis for God's sake, it's absolutely genius (FYI i got a little excited listening to that track while driving and got into an accident, so listen at you own risk hahah) I think Joe should start putting a warning on his albums; Don't listen and drive

God bless you Joe, or King Joe :bowdown:

ps: here is the Oasis again, I know it was posted many times here before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV7kVVrrEyw

Video of James Playing Riq

LeeVaris - 5-13-2010 at 07:24 AM

Here's a video of a Riq solo I shot during the recording session for the album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUqE1dPd-Ow

More Riq

LeeVaris - 5-13-2010 at 07:30 AM

Joe says he'll have some clips available soon - in the mean time here's another Riq solo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuhR7Q8Nb9w

Jason - 5-13-2010 at 09:03 AM

Is it going to be distributed by anyone in america? Too expensive to import from Aus

bibo10 - 5-13-2010 at 11:35 AM

Jason,

That's always an issue with overseas productions. By the way I have copies of the Prophet and Epiphany ready to be shipped from the USA. They are $25 a piece including shipping. If you anyone is interested please email me at mb232@njit.edu
http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=10376