Just before the Pandemic hit Marc joined our ensemble for two concerts in Vancouver Feb 28 and Seattle on March 1st, with a recording session on the leap year Feb 29th. This was an incredible experience and Marc blended into the ensemble from the beginning. He played almost our entire repertoire with us and these tracks are the previously unreleased pieces. This album reflects our continued exploration of the Classic Arabic repertoire and new exploration of Sudanese music from the 60's and 70's. An already incredibly dynamic group Marc's presence pushed the group's delicacy, intensity and explosive nature to new heights. The process of creating this album has reliagned the trajectory of the ensemble.
Gordon Grdina's Haram
Juno Award winner Gordon Grdina formed Haram in 2008 as a large ensemble vehicle to interpret classic Arabic repertoire. The group started with Iraqi folk music and the great era of Egyptian radio music in which Oum Khalsoum and Farid Al Atrash reigned. It has since expanded to incorporate the classic Sudanese and Persian repertoire. These pieces are lovingly reinterpreted with an ensemble half studied in the tradition and half in avant-garde improvisation. This blend of traditions is what gives Haram its unique sound.
Through improvisation and arrangement, the band keeps alive the spirit and Tarab inherent within the compositions. These time-tested pieces are blown wide open by the ensemble mixing elements of noise, electronic soundscape, and free improvisation. The music has developed to the state of effortless cohesion mixed with wild abandon conjuring up a sense of respect and homage while being explosively self-expressive. Haram is a powerhouse ensemble playing a repertoire that has been revered by millions.
1. Longa Nahawand 8:58
2. Sala Min Shaaraha A-Thahab (Gold Streamed Down from Her Hair) 10:48
3. Dulab Bayati 9:39
4. Lamma Bada Yatathanna (When She Begins to Sway) 10:18
5. Hawj Erreeh. (Violent Wind) 8:14
Total time: 48:00
Recorded and mixed in 32 bits / 96kHz
Compositions by 1, Kevser Hanim, 2, Salah Ben Al Badiya, 3, Traditional - attr. Muhammad 'Abd al-Rahim al-Maslub 4, Traditional, 5, Ahmad Al Jaberi
Arranged by: Gordon Grdina
Gordon Grdina's Haram with Marc Ribot
-Night's Quietest Hour
Gordon Grdina -Oud
Marc Ribot -Guitar
Emad Armoush -Vocals, Ney
Tim Gerwing -Darbuka
Liam MacDonal -Riq
Tommy Babin -Bass
Kenton Loewen -Drums
Francois Houle -Clarinet
Christopher Kelly -Sax
Jp Carter -Trumpet
Josh Zubot -Violin
Jesse Zubot -Violin
Recorded, Mixed by John Raham at Afterlife Studios, Vancouver, BC
Mastered by Alex DeTurk at The Bunker Studio, New York, NY
Produced by: Gordon Grdina
All Photography by: Genevieve Monro. @genmonrophotography
Design by: Chelsey Maher
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