DESERT WIND: Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land

Desert Wind

Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land

© 2005 Alan Scott Bachman (781541100823)

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"Weaving together the traditions of East and West, this CD is a must have"~christmasreviews.com Uplifting world beat take on the original Christmas in Bethlehem, with beautiful piano, flutes, harp, doumbeks, and much more.

notes

Reaching across the rubicon. "NOW, MORE THAN EVER!"

RHYTHMS:
Middle Eastern / Mediterranean rhythms include: Beladi, Ayoub, Masmoudi, Khaleegy, Maqsoum, Saidi, Bolero, Mid East and Persian 6/8 and Rock Beladi!
INSTRUMENTS:
The instrumentation is a fun blend of American instruments and some vocals with rhythm instruments from this land (USA)
as well as the Holy Land. This fusion includes: The Boston Steinway grand piano, studio keyboards, white gold / silver flute, wooden flute, alto recorder, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, Martin & nylon classical guitars, harpsichord, sleigh bells,tablas, riq (Egyptian tambourine), doumbek, tar, djembe, Persian zarb, and trap drums.
MUSICIANS:
Featuring renowned Bay Area drummer Rami Ziadeh, a Palestinian Christian who was born on Christmas Day near Bethlehem, visionary Alan Scott Bachman ends this work with his "Tikkun Olam", a Hebrew prayer for peace.
Alan - Piano, Keyboards, Mandolins, Andalin - Flutes, Rami
Ziadeh, Rajab Juma, Brett Bowen, Jonathan Kessler - Assorted Percussion, Amy Faust - Vocals, George Grant - Tablas, Persian Zarb, Christian Parry - Trap Drums.

"An extraordinarily innovative & creative endeavor which Desert Wind thinks of as their gift to the world community. If you are tired of hearing the same old Christmas tunes, & want something more, something new, enlivening, powerful & elusive, this CD delivers! It is a refreshing change from the ordinary holiday music. Familiar Christmas songs are merged with luscious ancient rhythms from the Middle East. The exotic rhythms infuse the standards with new energy, making this the premiere holiday album to add to your collection. Yet, the album is distinct in that it does not overwhelm the listener as being entirely 'Christmas music.' While most of the tracks are Christmas songs, there are a few festive pieces you'll want to hear and dance to year round. While mostly instrumental, a few of the songs include soulful vocals delivered with insurmountable passion & drive. Amazing Grace is one of these, & is bound to be a year round favorite. As usual, the instrumentals are a percussive blend of rhythmical spice & powerful, sultry, passionate zeal. Adding to the albums immense grace and proportion is the final song which is added almost as a closing prayer, Tikkun Olam (Healing the World.) Overall, this CD is one holiday album that anyone (even those who dont care for Christmas music) can enjoy. 15 tracks." Mystical Treasures Online Gallery.

"Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land" is a refereshing change from the Christmas music we hear year in and year out. Familiar Christmas songs are born again with luscious ancient rhythms from the Middle East." ~Reviewed by Ladyslipper

www.christmasreviews.com says, "The mood is joyful and optimistic. The message is celebration and hope. The genre is a blend of new age and world music. Getting right to the point with a full-bodied, toe-tapping Joy to the World, Desert Wind effectively combines the musical traditions of the Middle East and the Caribbean. This is followed by the most strangely exotic Little Drummer Boy I can remember.

Particularly novel is the application of Middle Eastern rhythm, percussion and winds to western carols. My unfamiliarity with the instruments precludes much discussion, but it left me with an impression of happily hypnotic harmonies. Joined by guest artists Rami Ziadeh, Jonathan Kessler, and Rajab Juma, Desert Wind produces a sound which includes, instills, and integrates the rhythmic elements of many cultures. Also, unique to this CD are three of Alan Scott Bachman's seasonal compositions: Christmas Peace, Tikkun Olam, and the seductively soothing Dance of the Angels.

My take on Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land is that this is Christmas music as it was meant to be heard: exotic and percussive, weaving together the traditions of east and west, and accessible to all. Seasonal without being cloying, it will be one of those CDs that can be played as early as November and on into the new year."
--Richard Banks"

City Weekly, Utah's Independent Newspaper, December 23, 1999, Vol. 16 No. 30, Salt Lake City, Utah
DESERT WIND Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land (ASB) by William Athey:

"If there is one disc this year that is begging for a listen, it is Desert Wind's Christmas release. Why? Innovation and creativity are present in massive amounts. The title pretty much reveals what's up. Desert Wind do the Christmas thing using dumbek, riq (Egyptian tambourine), tablas and djembe, as well as more familiar instruments. The group is heavily into percussion, so their version of 'The Little Drummer Boy' must be viewed as a highlight. Amy Faust performs the vocal portion in an unearthly fashion. 'Gaudete,' a Christmas song from the 16th century, brings both enjoyment and education to the recording. It's probably difficult to imagine 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' set to rhythms from the Middle East, but Desert Wind doesn't stop there. 'What Child is This,' 'Silent Night' and 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' receive similar treatment. I thought the Dropkick Murphys had turned in the definitive version of 'Amazing Grace' until I heard Desert Wind's take. 'Amazing Grace' isn't exactly a 'Christmas' song, but Faust is celebrating life. Give praise for experimentation, and it works!"

From Life Now Books & Sound of Canada, whose "mission is to provide information and music designed to help all of us find answers, look beyond, tap our unlimited potential and come together as one": Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land represents a universal prayer to greet the new millennium. Refreshingly unique, the Desert Wind release transports the listener to the Holy Land, where familiar Christmas songs are infused with luscious ancient rhythms from the Middle East. The many talented drummers on the album weave a rich tapestry colored by warm wooden flute tones and shades of mandolin. One of the most outstanding is Bay Area drumming virituoso Rami Ziadeh, born on Christmas day and raised in Bethlehem. Ziadeh adds a special sense of wonder to The Little Drummer Boy. While mostly instrumental, some of the tracks on the album also feature the amazing vocal talents of Amy Faust. Other musicians featured are: Alan Scott Bachman, Andalin Bachman, Jonathan Kessler, George Grant, Rajab Juma, Brett Bowen & Christian Parry."

"You've probably heard Christmas carols in a variety of pop stylistic treatments, including gospel, jazz, rock and blues. Recently I listened to a CD of carols in a style I'll call 'New-Age Middle Eastern.' Does this sound odd? Not at all, especially when you think about the relationship of the carols' stories to the geographical setting. And the term 'New Age' is especially relevant: Desert Wind, the recording group and label, defines its mission as 'bringing music of world peace and celebration to the new millennium.'

Their 1999 CD is Christmas Rhythms of the Holy Land. The core ensemble, based in Salt Lake City, comprises seven musicians who are specialists in Middle Eastern music and play a large number of instruments. For this recording, two others join them: Rajab Juma from Libya and Rami Ziadeh, a Palestinian Christian from the Bay Area (who happens to have been born near Bethlehem on Dec. 25). Ziadeh was an inspiration for the production.

One of the distinctive features of much Middle Eastern music is its organization around specific rhythmic patterns that derive from spoken poetry. This album demonstrates more than 10 of those patterns, and each one is exotic, hypnotic and 'easy listening' - all at the same time. The selections themselves aren't unusual. You'll hear standards such as 'Silent Night,' 'What Child Is This?' and 'O Come, All Ye Faithful.' But like you've never heard before! They are played on Middle Eastern instruments. There are varieties of drums - tablas, dumbek and djembe - and flutes. Other instruments include a riq (an Egyptian tambourine) and Oriental bells.

Vocalist Amy Faust sings three selections, and Alan Bachman, group leader, wrote several new pieces. The last composition is 'Tikkun Olam,' a phrase that Jews use for 'healing the world.' How appropriate at this particular time."

~The Lutheran Magazine

reviews

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  • author: irmgard lee

    I had read about the CD and tried for two years to get the xmas CD but could not find in stores. finnally i found it on the webside from desert wind. I,m not disappointed. thanks

  • Absolutely wonderful! I took it to my Middle Eastern Dance class and they reall
    author: MariJahne'

    If you are a Middle Eastern Music enthusiast then you will really enjoy having this CD. It is a relief from the some of the other "hoiday' music. Perfect for background during a Holiday gathering of friends. Being A Middle Eastern Dance instructor I am often challenged to find appropriate seasonal music for some of the dance demonstrations we are often asked to do this time of year...this CD is a great addition to my collection. Thanks for making it happen.

  • Can't Believe I Found This!!!!!
    author: Carmine Hart

    Fantastic! Finally, a CD for my entire extended family this time of year upon which we can all agree. Thanks so much.

  • Year Round Favorites! This will not leave my CD Changer!
    author: Jane "Genesis" Christopherson

    What a fantastic Christmas present. Thank you Desert Wind! I was blown away by the Desert Wind rendition of Amazing Grace. Obviously you didn't spend a lifetime in Church to come up with your own unique version of this incredible composition. And where on EARTH did you find Tikkun Olam? Amen.

  • Wonderful Treat ~ especially Dance of the Angels! Thank you.
    author: Janae Friend

    My mom has played this CD constantly since I gave it to her last week for seasonal cheer! She just wanted me to let you know that the Christmas music on this CD is her favorite ~ especially "Dance of the Angels" by Alan Scott Bachman. This is a wonderful treat. Thank you Desert Wind!

  • Beautiful Expression for this Season and Every Season!
    author: Aliesha

    It's just simply wonderful. Thank you Desert Wind for this incredible prayer. That's how I feel about this CD. Ending with Tikkun Olam ~ a Hebrew Prayer to Heal the World. How did you come up with this? If I could give this ten stars I would. I read that you are Jewish. Yet, you gave this as a gift. What a gift. Thank you from your friend in the world of humanity. ~Aliesha.

  • Worth a Place in your collection
    author: Art

    This approach is very interesting. I focus on holiday music in my CD collection and am always looking for groups/songs that push the envelope, and they do -- just not enough. I would have moved this review to 5 stars had they used ALL indigineous instruments. The piano, and other western touches (flute and piano were used to set the melody line) were weaknesses rather than stregnths.

  • Worth a Place in your collection
    author: Art

    This approach is very interesting. I focus on holiday music in my CD collection and am always looking for groups/songs that push the envelope, and they do -- just not enough. I would have moved this review to 5 stars had they used ALL indigineous instruments. The piano, and other western touches (flute and piano were used to set the melody line) were weaknesses rather than stregnths.

  • Beyond Expectations!
    author: Jon Young

    Thanks Desert Wind! I was expecting something great considering your previous work. But, this was extra terrestial! Where did this come from??? In a difficult time on this Earth, when we need more than ever to connect the dots, Desert Wind has combined Jewish, Arabic and American Christian musicians to celebrate Christianity as a gift to everyone, whether embraced or not! This CD speaks of a human thread with the essence of hope. Your closing prayer, "Tikkun Olam", blew me away. THANK YOU. Somehow you transcended a real physical divide and produced a work of peace in the midst of terror. Amen.

  • Enchanting, Mesmorizing, Pulsating, Uplifting~BEST Christmas Music!
    author: Susan Rose

    This music is enchanting and mesmorizing, pulsating and uplifting. It is the best Christmas music I ever heard, and only hope there is a sequel someday. Last year I got a copy for myself and gave four as Christmas gifts. I was really proud of my gifts due to the incredible reaction I had from the people who listened to this music and got back to me with rave comments. One person was my team leader (who is really into Christmas, waiting for it most of the year), told me about how she loved it and played it for all her guests. My fiance liked it so much that he took it to work and played it in his office. My head doctor,(I work in a hosptial) who is from India and Hindu said her husband just loved the beat and rhythm and played it over and over. My other friend thought it was the best she had heard too. If you want rave thank you's for your Christmas gift from friends and co-workers, this is it!

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