To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=122124
8 messages

A very,very special request: Mohamed Matar -bouzok

07 Jul 09 - 04:20 PM (#2674146)
Subject: Folklore: A very,very special request
From: Leadbelly

In 1968 somebody from Beyrouth who stayed overnight sent me a record titled "Matar: Bouzok improvisations from the desert". These are very strange arabien melodies played by superb technique.
Is somebody aware of Mohamed Matar, born in 1939 resp. who knows about this special kind of music ?
Started this thread for a better understanding of this music.


07 Jul 09 - 04:26 PM (#2674149)
Subject: RE: Folklore: A very,very special request
From: Leadfingers

That looks like a job for Jack Campin !


07 Jul 09 - 05:03 PM (#2674172)
Subject: RE: Folklore: A very,very special request
From: Noreen

Found this clip of Mohamed Matar playing Besh el-Ghawazi
Mohamed Matar is a Lebanese master of the bouzok instrument. His style is close to Gypsy music, and this piece, as the title suggests, is performed by the Ghawazi (Gypsy) dancers from the Ghajar (or Nawar) clans living in Lebanon and other countries of the Middle East. The Ghawazi usually perform in wedding feasts, singing mostly erotic and crude song


07 Jul 09 - 05:09 PM (#2674174)
Subject: RE: Folklore: A very,very special request
From: Jack Campin

I posted your request to Mike's Oud Forums here a few minutes ago and you've already got your first reply!


07 Jul 09 - 05:39 PM (#2674194)
Subject: RE: Folklore: A very,very special request
From: Leadbelly

Jack resp. Danielo: Thank you very much for this info resp. link!!

Manfred


07 Jul 09 - 06:56 PM (#2674238)
Subject: RE: A very,very special request: Mohamed Matar -bouzok
From: Peace

Google


Mohamed Matar, bouzok

just as is. Many sites with info.


08 Jul 09 - 12:38 PM (#2674833)
Subject: RE: A very,very special request: Mohamed Matar -bouzok
From: Jack Campin

Or "Matar Mhammad", or "Mattar Mohammed buzok" - there must be less consensus about how to spell his name and that of his instrument than just about anybody on the web.


08 Jul 09 - 04:23 PM (#2675043)
Subject: RE: A very,very special request: Mohamed Matar -bo
From: Leadbelly

Jack, for "western ears" Matar produces an unfamiliar sound on his instrument.
But: by closing the eyes and lying on a carpet (or something else) his music has a hypnotic effect.
This lp, which I possess was released by Philips, France (633703 APL). Comments were made by Christian Poche, director of the jeunesse musicales du Liban.
Must say, that I listened to it 2 or three times within 40 years without any deeper interest.
But as times are changing, obviously my spectrum of interest changed too. Now I'm going to like this very special kind of music.

Manfred (from Germany)