nile pirate
Oud Addict
Posts: 26
Registered: 9-9-2011
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Encouter with Michael Moussa in Cairo
Dear feollow oudists,
I have come across this very interesting forum while googling for Michael Moussa's ouds. Two years ago, I had a holiday in Sharm where I met a young
musician who was performing in a nearby casino. It was not his music which attracked me - though he was very good - but rather his oud. For a moment I
thought it was an antique one - one of the best I ever saw if not the very best. I offered the guy what is equal to his annual income to get it. To my
astonishment he proudly said it is not for sale it is an "English oud", a gift by Dr Moussa. I mumbled to myself what a gift!!! Eversince, I have been
dreaming of putting my hands on one of his masterpieces which ooze music history and art. It was was the good chance that led me to the studio where
he was recording his very peculiar, highly spiritual music - an unusual blend of Coptic and Sufi music. He was good enough to allow me to examine and
even play his wonderful collection - I could see the original and the replica side by side - it was heaven. I fell in love with Khalil al Gohari
replica, which took me to a century back in history and cleansed my ear of the metalic lifeless notes of my current ouds. Soon I will share the photos
and clips with you. I think his friend Markus will upload a few clips on youtube played by Mr Rami Heshmat.
It would be lovely to see more of the few ouds he made in his long journey if some members have got any.
Lovely to be among you,
the nile oud pirate
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Kelly
Oud Junkie
Posts: 285
Registered: 1-30-2007
Location: Manchester, UK
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Yes indeed Michael Moussa is a very talented oud maker and composer. He make some marvelous ouds. I have one of his al Lacy 7 course ouds which is
continuing to develop a lovely warm and rich sound.
You should search for other Moussa threads on this forum
I'm sure you had a great treat in Cairo.
Kelly
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Ararat66
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1025
Registered: 11-14-2005
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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Mood: mellow yellow
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Hi there
Nice to see that oud of yours Kelly Mr Moussa is a real gem of a person, he has a
unique and deeply felt musical sense and is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I love his approach to oud making - they are not off the peg
but an extension of his own musical journey.
Leon
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markus
Oud Maniac
Posts: 60
Registered: 9-10-2009
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Welcome oud pirate to Moussa's bay!!!
But let me tell you you have aleady fallen into the trap - getting out of this bay is almost impossible even to pirates.
Like yourself I discovered him by chance- he is not a propagandist in any way, even his site magicstrings.co.uk is down most of the time. I started
with his Nahat replica few years ago and ended having 4 after unregtetfully sacrificing my original George Nahat oud. They are very different but
share one character that is authenticity. Currently myself along with other disciples are working on a directory catalogue for all his master pieces
which I gather are not more 35-40- what a lazy luthier!!
When back home, I will upload some fotos of my collection
Welcome again
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antonis
Oud Lover
Posts: 24
Registered: 11-29-2010
Location: Greece
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Hello
i've seen mr Moussa's website and i really loved his ouds. Since i'm thinking of buying a new one, you guys would recommend to buy one of his? Is the
quality, the attention to the detail, the feel while playing and the sound satisfying overtime? I'm thinking of getting a Bashir style. Also i want it
to be 7 course, so do you know if he makes custom ouds?
Thanks in advance!
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Kelly
Oud Junkie
Posts: 285
Registered: 1-30-2007
Location: Manchester, UK
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Mood: No Mood
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Hi Antonis
Michael makes quite a few 7 course ouds- such as the one I have pictured above but not many floating bridge style. He tends to make as he feels with
woods/designs rather than specfic custom to order. The detail on the inlay work along the ribs for example is remarkable.
As Markus says they all sound different but generally on the mellow side.
I'll post u2u for email if you want sound samples of the current one I have.
Kelly
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nile pirate
Oud Addict
Posts: 26
Registered: 9-9-2011
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Thanks guys for your prompt response specially for Markus whose advice has come abit late as the pirate is already captured in Moussa's Bay. Here are
some photos featuring my new Al-Gohari replica in Zebrano wood with bone ebony marqueterie inlay finger board, beard rosette, and pick. The ball is
slim and tall with interestingly inverted base and I will leave the sound to sample in your own taste. I am encountering difficulty in uploading the
soundfile as it exceeds the limit. Any tip for that? I may go to upload it through youtube, thanks.
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nile pirate
Oud Addict
Posts: 26
Registered: 9-9-2011
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Here is the link for the sound recording played by a young, talented oudist Ramy Heshmat who is another dedicated fan of Michael Moussa (Youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfhFFtOs15w
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markus
Oud Maniac
Posts: 60
Registered: 9-10-2009
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Congratulations, the sound, wood and craftmanship are all amazing- I can tell you are a real oud pirate!!!.
I have a different replica of al Gohari in rosewood with more or less the same style of bone/ebony marquettrie work but I must admit(without an evil
eye) that yours have a more majestic sound especially that it is still a baby. Enjoy it fully
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Kelly
Oud Junkie
Posts: 285
Registered: 1-30-2007
Location: Manchester, UK
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Mood: No Mood
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Congratulations on your new Moussa oud. Its a beauty. Play in good health
Kelly
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Ararat66
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1025
Registered: 11-14-2005
Location: Portsmouth, UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow yellow
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... and nice playing - lovely sound too.
Leon
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markus
Oud Maniac
Posts: 60
Registered: 9-10-2009
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Mood: No Mood
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hello mr pirate , as promised here are foros
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nile pirate
Oud Addict
Posts: 26
Registered: 9-9-2011
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Al Gohari replica by michael Moussa
Thanks kelly, Leon and Markus for your kind compliment and congratulation which should all go to USTA Michael Moussa or Mikhail Effendi Abu Mina- as
his Sofi friends call him. Now then Markus, it is you who should fear my evil eye as I have already fallen in love with the splendour of the black
bowl- and the riches of the rossette, fingerboard and mostach. is the back made of rosewood or ebony, What is your course length, mine is 61.5 cm,
can you please upload clearer fotos and clip
nile pirate
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SamirCanada
Moderator
Posts: 3405
Registered: 6-4-2004
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What a beauty !!
Enjoy the oud Nile Pirate.
@samiroud Instagram
samiroudmaker@gmail.com
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