middle east

Episode 58: Music for an Arabian Night by Ron Goodwin and His Orchestra

This album has nothing to do with the Middle East... or does it?

Your standard romanticized orientalism and exotica aesthetic.

Your standard romanticized orientalism and exotica aesthetic.

Orientalist tropes abound! No mention of the Rahbani Brothers or source material.

Orientalist tropes abound! No mention of the Rahbani Brothers or source material.

Abdo Habib Ghandoura by Shiraz AKA Dancing Eyes

Episode 19: The Joy of Belly Dancing by George Abdo

Let’s head to the 1970s, the golden era for… belly dance? Indeed! This classic belly dance album that could be considered early “world fusion” with its traditional songs from the Middle East repackaged for American night clubs.

Juliana rocking the chainmaille costume

Juliana rocking the chainmaille costume

Flissy's version of the chainmaille costume

Flissy's version of the chainmaille costume

Joy of Belly Dancing on AppleMusic

Joy of Belly Dancing on Amazon

Joy of Belly Dancing LP on Smithsonian Folkways

About Juliana on the Occidental Dancer

Liner notes from Smithsonian Folkways release

My friend, Shems's, choreography to Miserlou

A lovely performance to Ya Mustapha by Naima