spyrosc
Oud Junkie
Posts: 405
Registered: 9-18-2003
Location: Northern California, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Grateful
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Simon Shaheen in Berkeley
Simon Shaheen appeared last night at the Zellerbach in Berkeley, Ca, with Qantara and it was great as usual.
New songs like "Iraq" and "Piraeus" and old favorites as well from the CD "Blue Flame". And a great introduction, "Istihlal".
Simon was his usual virtuoso self, and funny as well.
Our Brian Prunka was there also and a great couple of solos too ! (way to go Brian !).
I wish more Arabic music came to the Zellerbach !
Spyros C.
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palestine48
Oud Junkie
Posts: 448
Registered: 6-9-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Free Palestine
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I was there too, although I was a half hour late. I was hoping they were running in Arab time rather than being prompt.
Everything I saw was awsome, I was amazed by Simons technical work and he made me want to jam with him.
He was funny, at one point he was tuning and everyone started clapping when he finished. He goes now i Know i Am in san francisco, I tune and
everyone claps.
My only regret was that I was told by a close friend of his that he mingles with the crowds after the show, I would have loved to meet him. I did
not see the friend that knows him so I missed my oppurtunity but I walked away convinced he was the greatest and most hardworking oud player I know.
Brian did great too, I wish I would have met him as well. At times i felt that the guitar was a bit drowned out but it his solo was great.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2949
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Mood: Stringish
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Thanks guys, I';m glad you made it to the concert.
It was a really special performance, Simon sounded even better than usual and the hall & audience were great.
Usually Simon does mingle with the crowd after the show; the hall had staff keeping people from going backstage though. Sorry I didn't get to meet
you guys.
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palestine48
Oud Junkie
Posts: 448
Registered: 6-9-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Free Palestine
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Hey Brian I was wondering if you can answer me this. It appeared to me that the bowl of simons oud was not totally round "or eliptical to be
specific". It seemed that the area of where the inlay is, it appeared to have a flat impression. I assume it could have been the lighting but I
swear i noticed it having some flat impression where the inlay is.
Can you give me some insight on this?
Thanks
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spyrosc
Oud Junkie
Posts: 405
Registered: 9-18-2003
Location: Northern California, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Grateful
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Brian
Hey Brian,
I'm sorry we didn't get to meet you too. They didn't let us backstage, and I hang around for a bit in case you guys came out, but I guess I missed you
when you did.
It might be a good idea if you guys announced here at the forum when you might be having your next concert wherever it might be, so local people might
contact you ahead of time, maybe for some private get together before or after. I know oudists in the Bay Area would have liked to meet you guys
privately. No obligation of course on your part to do that.
Thanks
Spyros C.
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stringmanca
Oud Junkie
Posts: 224
Registered: 8-4-2005
Location: Martinez, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Oud Moud
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We enjoyed the show a lot (had great 3rd row seats)! What an outstanding bunch of musicians - the percussionists were especially fun to watch
(including Michel Merhej, who played riqq with Fairuz)!
Nice job, Brian! How did you get that gig, anyway?? Will you be on the new album?
Nathan 
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