Karim Baggili with Le Trio Joubran: Kali City (homerecords)

 |   |  <1 min read

Karim Baggili w Karoline de la Serna: Kalimaat
Karim Baggili with Le Trio Joubran: Kali City (homerecords)

This is very much a game of two halves for the self-taught guitarist Karim Baggili who is Belgian-born and of Jordanian background.

And ironically it is the material with the superb Trio Joubran which comes up short as Baggili explores the oud music which has always been a part of his life.

The five pieces with the oud-playing Trio Joubran are politely impressionistic pieces which are perilously close to non-stick New Age music (perhaps Baggili aimed for a manageable middle ground?) and lightweight romanticism. The Joubran brothers politely dial in their performance and don't sound challenged.

Howeer the following seven tracks have Baggili and his Arabic band (traditional instruments, violin, single reed flute, drums) and on these we are realy taken on a journey into marketplaces and streets (and a rather polite circus).

The lovely ballad Kalimaat featuring singer Karoline de la Serna is among the more moving pieces

So although this isn't the most engaging oud music you'll hear by the end Baggili has delivered frequently enjoyable stepping stone to his betters, among them Le Trio Joubran on their earlier albums..

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

Various Artists: Murshidi and Sufi Songs (Arc Music)

Various Artists: Murshidi and Sufi Songs (Arc Music)

Although we might describe these field recordings as more worthy and important than they are repeat-play items and essential on the shelf, they are deserving of our attention. Deben... > Read more

SERGIO MENDES INTERVIEWED (2006): The return of the cool and the kitsch

SERGIO MENDES INTERVIEWED (2006): The return of the cool and the kitsch

If you need further proof that you should go through your parents‘ and grandparents‘ old records it’s the current revival of Sixties hitmaker Sergio Mendes. The pop career of... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . . ROY BUCHANAN: The Messiah who isn't coming back

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . . ROY BUCHANAN: The Messiah who isn't coming back

There have been any number of Southern blues, soul and rock'n'roll musicians who have struggled with their pull of their secular and spiritual sides: Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Son House, Al... > Read more

FIVE ODD ALBUMS NO ONE SHOULD OWN: But I do . . .

FIVE ODD ALBUMS NO ONE SHOULD OWN: But I do . . .

Elsewhere has been down this blind alley a few times with couple of columns on 10 Odd Unplayed Albums, a series of 10 Shameful Record Covers, 10 Good Albums in Bad Covers, Five French Albums I'm... > Read more