Alfaraby - 8-20-2015 at 02:36 PM
Fawzi Sayeb (1929-2010) was a self taught Tunisian oud player, whom I "discovered" some 20 years ago and to tell you the truth didn't really liked the
CD I had bought. Lately, a friend of his, who honered me in a visit, kept mentioning him in great respect and pain.
This's what he wrote about Fawzi's last performance:
"He learned from old 78 records from the Nahda period, which were very difficult to find in the 1970's. He kept close contact with ancient music
groups, specially Boston Camerata and its director Joel Cohen. He was weird in a way he could play hours without stopping. Alas his country and people
never paid him the respect he deserved preferring canonizing young guys. Nobody there understood his approach to Arab music . Unffortunately these
recordings were taped when Fawzi has already started to decline due to health problems."
Yesterday he sent me links from his channel on youtube (tarabtarab - recommended) of Fawzi's recordings from his last performance at the basement of
the Turkish cultural center called Elele in Paris 10 years ago.
Gentlemen !
This's addicting oud playing and sound so beware. He's playing a 1921 Georgey Hayek's (Aleppo). OMG ! This's what's called antique oud sound .. and
playing. I morn the loss of Fawzi and the years I haven't listened to him. There's no unprecedented technique or skills in these recordings, but the
mastery of such playing is what's called in Arabic: reluctant or resistant ease -السهل
الممتنع.
I was about to post this thread about Fawzi, when I found out that he was once presented earlier by Jono here: http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=12622#pid86...
Thanks friend and sorry for all of us who didn't pay the propper attention to this master.
Here are 3 more of the same last performance, recently found by Rene and uploaded to his channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL5HKqyr1-U&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzT9-w7EqFc&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSHrhua7jjY&feature=youtu.be
Enjoy
Yours indeed
Alfaraby