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| Dave Soldier - Zajal  Lyrics in medieval Hebrew, Arabic and Spanish from Andalusia, 900-1400 C.E. The Golden Age of Spain that created the tradition of Western song, from Schubert and Verdi to Hank Williams and the Beatles Zajal, renowned Downtown composer and instrumentalist Dave Soldier explores the beginning of popular song and locates it 1000 years ago at the intersection of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures in southern Spain. Zajal, along with muwashaha, were the lyrics of medieval Andalusia. While many are still sung today (notably in Lebanon), their offspring are everywhere. On a trip to Spain in 2004, Soldier read about the Andalusian caliphate, when the Muslim, Christian and Jewish com- munities not only coexisted, but co-created much of the world we inhabit today. Together, they produced the novel, cowboy culture, the guitar, the dance suite, the Kabbalah, Maimonides and ibn Arabi and the discovery of the New World. And modern song: the zajal and muwashaha introduced the verse and chorus that are the backbone of popular music. Imitation of Andalusia's singing oud players begat the troubadours and the figure of the wandering poet and singer in its myriad incarnations, from Villon to Joni Mitchell. Track Listing: 1 The Spy 2 Water and Fire 3 My Visitor in the Morning 4 My Father 5 Without Myself 6 The Stars of Country Music Greet the Spring 7 Land of Spain 8 Don't Bite Me Baby 9 Battle 10 Beautiful Boy 11 If write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |