Advertisement
Hi folks,
Check out Youtube, do a search for the "Feenjon Group"
These clips are awesome!! Ali Hafid the drummer (one of my favorites) is incredible.
Ahhhh..... they don't make bands like this anymore!!
Check out Youtube, do a search for the "Feenjon Group"
These clips are awesome!! Ali Hafid the drummer (one of my favorites) is incredible.
Ahhhh..... they don't make bands like this anymore!!
posted by:
|
Atlanta
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Fri, March 14, 2008 - 4:42 AM
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Fri, March 14, 2008 - 10:58 AMDue to Monitor Records having gone out of business, their music is now sold by the Smithsonian Folkways web site, if anyone should be interested in seeking it out.
I must admit, I have to shake my head when I see someone doing a perky dance to "Bei Mein Rebbe Ist Gewesen" - a Yiddish song about a robbery at one's rabbi. Not Middle Eastern at all... -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Mon, March 17, 2008 - 2:41 PMThe Feenjon Group is primarily Isreali and they did a great deal of Yiddish material. Band members were also from other areas such as Morocco, Greece, Armenia so they did other songs from those areas as well. They were not strictly a group for belly dance music although they did have a big following amongst the belly dance community at the time. -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 11:09 AMAlexia, I think my biggest complalint about Feenjon group is that one of their albums was called "Belly Dancing at the Cafe Feenjon." I think it was originally released under a different title, then later renamed to that to capitalize on the popularity of belly dance. The problem was that this album contained several songs (such as Bei Mein Rebbe) that were not belly dance music at all. But dancers, unaware of that in the pre-Internet age, thought that if it appeared on an album called "belly dancing" then it must be appropriate for belly dancing.
Maybe it wasn't the band's fault that their music was given a misleading label by the record company. But people were misled into spending their money on something that wasn't what it claimed to be, and fledgling dancers were misled into believing something was appropriate for belly dancing that wasn't. -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 12:07 PMYeah, i believe that's right. Record Co. trying to sell records.
It still happens. I have records, cd's etc. with songs not meant for belly dancing. Or some that are are, but mixed with those that aren't.
I think it's important for dancers to be aware of what they dance too. if it has lyrics get them translated, or research the song you're usung.
It adds more depth of feeling to your dance anyway.
But that's a whole 'nother topic ;-) -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 5:03 PMThere have been many songs not meant for Belly dancing that have become classic. Look at "Misirlou" it was a Greek song made famous by Oum Kalthoum. George Abdo had rearranged many tunes to accompany Belly dance. In fact some of his band used to do Belly dance versions of Beethoven. I think all tunes can be inspirational as long as one is respectful of interpretation.
I'd thought to include the Feenjon as Ali Hafid drummed for most of the dancers in New York, and many drummers were inspired by him. -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 5:29 PMOh yeah - but some songs or tunes are just inappropriate.
Misirlu works fine - so do some others.
It's knowing which ones can be adapted without making people in the audience who know what it is cringe ;-)
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 9:52 PMHi Eric! I'm soooo happy to see Feenjon remembered, if only by a chosen few. As a kid, I spent most weekends at the Feenjon Cafe and I can tell you that nearly every song... be it Greek, Yiddish, Spanish or Arabic... inspired people to dance! There was lots of belly dancing... but there was also group line dancing... with people weaving in and out of the tables along the narrow isles. There was occasional Latin-style dancing to Max Pedrano's Puerto Rican tunes ... and it was not uncommon to see solo males dancing to the Greek. Couples sometimes danced in each others arms when the band played romantic ballads. The atmosphere at the Cafe was electrifying and dance was the order of the day! Feenjon was an amazing place marker in Ethnic dance history. -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 5:57 AMAwesome story, thanks for sharing it!! -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 4:19 PMI bought the album, actually I think it was cassette version of the Feenjon goes Greek, and I remember being so mad when I realized the songs weren't really suited for belly dancing. I was working in Greek clubs at the time and wanted to capture the same sound. Oh those were the days.
I recently bought the Best of George Abdo from Smithsonion. The cd comes with a brochure of the history of each song. Very interesting. Talk about fusion!
-
-
This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 6:23 PMThat "Best of" Abdo is great, and I've always loved the Feenjon "Goes Greek" -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 9:25 PMI too have always loved Feenjon Goes Greek!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Thu, March 20, 2008 - 7:49 PMsome really incredible clips on Youtube...made me want to put my zills on and dance, but i dont think my neighbors would appreciate due to the late hour after 10pm...;-)
I remember years ago when taking dance lessons, my teacher had me dancing to their song (Marinella) to this day, when i hear the accordian in bellydance music, i feel it in my heart and soul, its a warm and wonderful feeling and experience...funny how music affects us on so many different levels.
Lets relive the old days in bellydance and its magnificent music..... -
-
Unsu...
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 26, 2008 - 2:39 PMOne belly dance musician that played Feenjon that played for my Mom a lot on gigs was Chick Ganimian, Oud. I love the clips from Feenjon (the old club that was teeny tiny and that newer location in the color commercial with Sabah and Serena up dancing (this was Cafe Wha). Johanna really loved Chick's oud playing and it would be neat if they could dig up a clip of him performing-haven't looked yet though, it might be there. Tassos Mavris was a Greek musician/singer who was with the Feenjon group. He taught my Mom how to play zil when Morocco insisted Johanna go into belly dance and she sent her to her super agent Tony Raftopoulis (Johanna and Morocco met Samia Gamal when she became one of "Tony's girls")-if you wanted to work East Coast clubs-you went with Raftopoulis. (Ironically, as big as he was in the biz, Tony retired a short while later).
Later, Tasso Mavris went into photography and some great George Abdo and other records have his photos on them. I love the way he photographed Sultana Noga, a British Jewish belly dancer on Abdo records and on our friend Anesto Athaniasou's Greek belly dance record.
I have a cd called "Salute to Israel" from the 90's. Two Arabic songs and some Israeli pop and traditional. This cd is something that a record company put together of the Feejon Group and The El Avram group. Avram Grobard used to play with Feenjon group but he put together this other group when he got his own club the "El Avram" also down there in the Village.
This is not really a belly dance cd- but hell- it wakes you up. When I think I'll pass out of boredom here in the Foothills of NC I put that sucker on. Reminds me even more "I gotta get outta this place!" Ha Ha! -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Wed, March 26, 2008 - 3:12 PM"One belly dance musician that played Feenjon that played for my Mom a lot on gigs was Chick Ganimian"
Hi Aziza, I worked with Chick many times. There is one infamous story about a night when he was playing at the Middle East Restaurant in Philly. The musicians played on a balcony half-a-story high off the ground between the stage and the 2nd floor of the restaurant. Well, Chick was know to put away more than his share of alcohol. One night, while playing, he started to waver to and fro, back and forth, until he eventually toppled right over the railing head first onto the stage! Amazingly, he was o'kay but it certainly added to the flavor of the show!
"When I think I'll pass out of boredom here in the Foothills of NC I put that sucker on. Reminds me even more "I gotta get outta this place!"
So what is a woman with your diverse background doing in the cultural wasteland? How do you keep from going mad? My husband talks about moving to such a place, but no-way Jose... I don't think i could survive!
Best wishes -
-
Unsu...
Re: Feenjon Group
Thu, March 27, 2008 - 12:24 PMHello Lee,
I must add you to my friends! (You'll get the request soon!) My great Grandfather was a Cherokee Indian from this area but moved to West Virginia at the turn of the century. He kept a farm here for many years. Had thirteen children with his Indian wife from Bland County Virginia-just one child stayed in NC to run the tobacco farm. I actually came to do geneology (egad! I'm so many things-where do I begin!) Sad to say, arts not well supported with money in the area. Blue grass and appalachian traditional music and dance not done in this area by locals much anymore and no one receives money. They should!
Johanna loved Chick! In fact she said Tasso and Chick were the "mainstays" of the Feenjon Group. She said Chick was quite a bombastic and fabulous character, etc. I'll have to tell her your story about him falling off the stage in Philly.
Lee, I'm thinking that the Middle East was the restaurant owned by the Tayoun's? Johanna was the first dancer in Greektown to have her own dance company and they were the stars of the "Tayoun's Mahrajan". There were two brothers-one owned restaurant and one owned the paper. This was a big tadoo in Jersey right near Cherry Hill (Marlton).
I'm planning to move back to the NorthEast soon. Had delays-deaths in my family-most notably my sister just a month ago in a car wreck. This is the first couple of days I've even wanted to talk about other things. I've always loved belly dance. It helps to talk about things you love. -
-
Re: Feenjon Group
Thu, March 27, 2008 - 3:08 PM" I'm thinking that the Middle East was the restaurant owned by the Tayoun's?"
That's right, Aziza! Jimmy & Eddie Tayoun. They were Lebanese and part of a large politically influential family. My dad was good friends with Jimmy, who put me on stage at age 13! The Middle East Restaurant was among the legendary landmarks in ME dance & music history in the US, not unlike Cafe Feenjon or Faisel's dance studio. I worked there Four nights a week for 5-solid years. I could right a book!! (attended Cherry Hill HS, btw)
I never met her personally, but I think I remember your Mom. I was very active in the Greektown scenes in both Philly and in Queens New York. It's lovely that you keep Johanna's memory alive and carry on the stories. I feel it's important for those of us who were "there" to keep the memories alive. Those were priceless times. Wonderful to make your acquaintance, Aziza! I'd love to hear from you anytime both online or in PM. -
-
Unsu...
Re: Feenjon Group
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 9:41 AMYeah, the Tayouns had a lot going on! (I actually belly danced in another part of PA. There was a place in Allentown-Lebanese-I think it was called "The Beirut"? That's what we remember it as, anyway. (Great you had that wonderful gig at Middle East for so many years!)
Yeah, I bet you might remember Johanna! She went back a ways with the Arabic community on Atlantic Ave. Haki Obadia and Eddie Kochak did the "charts" for her act that she first conceived to include her longtime dance partner, Bill AKA "Turhan" which then became "Oasis BAllet" when they added other members, etc. Bill really got into it big time, learning oud from Baba Ajdin who was in the group and he also played a variety of Middle Eastern drums in their act.
University of PA commended Johanna and "Oasis" for "their important work in the field of Middle Eastern Dance" and did an exhibit at the University. Johanna actually put the group together because of missing working with her husband since Greektown didn't take men, etc. That was her initial motivation but it became a big hit.
Bobby Farrah saw the photos at the University and said it inspired him to realize "that a man could actually make it in the business" (meaning in this country) so he pursued his dreams of dancing, dance company direction, etc.
Johanna is 80 and lives with me. Ironically when I met my late sister last year she had called Brooklyn about our father Samir Al-Tawil, speaking to many old friends.
I brought Johanna to view video clips at the library. Lee, you get a big "thumbs up" from Johanna from your "Youtube" clip. She thought you were great and had "interesting costuming."
Her comment on "Feenjon" clips was just that she wished the "audio" quality was better. Going to Feenjon you also heard more varied tempos and they only featured in the black and white the very fast.
Belly dance scene was an "international scene" and that is why it was so exciting!
I'm sure we'll meet soon! "Z"
-
-
-
-
-
