Yemenite Songs

beautiful selection of music

If you like middle-eastern music and are tired of songs filled with sexually suggestive lyrics sung by singers with no real talent, look no further than Ofra Haza's Yemenite Songs CD. Ofra Haza, a Yemenite Jewish woman believed in the power of music to bring people together. A deeply spiritual person, her songs often centered around praise and worship, and this album is no exception. With a voice of almost perfect quality, she rightly earned the title of Queen of Israel. But her popularity went beyond Israel to include the Arab world. Its been said that her music brought down walls and built bridges. Almost 20 years after her untimely death, she remains popular with both Jews and Arabs. If you need a break from trashy, sleazy music, listen to this. You'll be glad you did. Her music proves that you don't need to understand the language to enjoy a song. I can't understand a word of these songs, but I love them anyway. Ofra Haza had something that is increasingly hard to find in singers today: true talent. So many singers today have the looks, but not the talent. But Ofra Haza had both. A woman of exceptional beauty with the voice of an angel. Listen to this album once and you'll see why she's still known as the Songbird of the Middle East.

This is a beautiful ode to Ofra Haza's Yemenite ancestry. She sings in the three languages of the Middle East-Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic. The only songs i know she sings in Arabic are Galbi, Yachilva Yachali (ya helwa ya hali), and Ayeselech (a'salk). With the exception of Yachilva Yachali, Ofra Haza confuses the dialects of Arabic that had surrounded her in life to make the lyrics nearly indiscernable, Yemenite, Palestinian, and evidently Egyptian (Egyptian movies are quite popular in Israel), but once you get through those tiny flaws the lyrics are lovely. The only reason i gave it four stars is i believe this songs would sound lovelier if devoid of synthesizers.

Yemenite Songs may not be for those who wish to live safe within their own personal music preferences. That is no reason to neglect your curiosity. The compositions throughout each song are quite complex and would probably be fully admired only by those who have grown up, or are familiar, with similar music styles. But, once again, that is no reason to pass it by. Yemenite Songs is full of life. It is fresh and interesting. Percussion is an essential part of every song and creates much of the love I have for this album. Ms. Haza's voice leads and controls each song with ease. A voice that was beyond it's years. Because of the complexities of each song, it's difficult to give specific comments on each song. This is an album that I will have to listen to many times to grasp. It is beautiful and a multi-colored gem. Listen for the soaring vocal on A'Salk. Clouds break and the blue sky and sun appear when Ofra hits that note at 1 minute and 25 seconds. An overlooked and pure voice indeed.

I've always liked Eastern music and after listening to a sample on iTunes I bought it and am pleased with it. Besides, a Yemenite Jewess, how exotic can you get? I was sorry to hear about her early demise, she was a lovely woman. Since I don't understand the langauge she uses I like it for the same reason I like French female vocalists. I'm always imagening they are singing something romantic whereas it could be very mundane. Ignorance is bliss. This CD is only 40 minutes long and I often listen to it when I'm doing something else because it relaxes me.

Love this, such a beautiful voice

This wonderful album features traditional and modern instruments with songs based on the 16th century poetry of Shalom Shabazi. The opening number Im Nin'alu is a catchy mid tempo ballad and is followed by the buoyant Yachilvi Veyachali, a faster song with a complex arrangement. Ofra's voice displays its impressive diversity on A'salk, a great interplay of mostly percussion and vocals. The medley of Tzur Menati, Se'i Yona and Sapri Tama has a catchy twirling melody and Galbi is another tuneful song with a compelling rhythmic structure. Ode Le'eli is a slow ballad with repeating patterns while Lefelach Harimon is my favorite with its sweeping melody line and hypnotic percussive textures. Yemenite Songs is a pioneering album that successfully integrated traditional Middle Eastern songs with modern arrangements and pop appeal back in the middle 1980s. There is a moving spiritual undertone to many of the songs and Haza's voice is warm and engaging. If you like World Beat or the music of bands like Transglobal Underground, you will love this album.

Ofra Haza the late Israeli pop-diva had the purest voice I've ever heard. In 'Yemenite Songs' she returns to her roots and sings 8 traditional pieces. No matter what the genre of music she performs there's no mistaking that angelic voice. If you're into traditional ethnic music this is definitely an essential to your collection. RIP OFRA

une grande chanteuse décédée avec une voix de rêve et de belles mélodies une surprise si vous ne la connaissez pas

Ofra Haza is just amazing! What a beautiful album this is!

Die CD wurde noch am Abend des Bestelltages verschickt und war pünktlich am übernächsten Tag verschweißt und im perfekten Zustand in meinem Briefkasten. Würde jederzeit wieder bei diesem Händler bestellen. Die Yemenite Songs von Ofra Haza war eine meiner absoluten Lieblings CDs aus den 80ern. Die CD hat damals mein Interesse für orientalischer Musik geweckt und war wichtig auf meiner musikalischen Reise. Sie bringt mir schöne Erinnerungen zurück...

Ottimo prodotto

Genuine Yemenite music from this great Israeli singer so sadly missed.Includes international hit Im Nin' Alu.Big hit in clubs in the 80s but still sounds fresh today.