Home » Jazz Articles » Live Review » Dhafer Youssef: Casablanca, Morocco, April 1, 2013
Dhafer Youssef: Casablanca, Morocco, April 1, 2013

Jazzablanca Festival
Casablanca, Morocco
April 1, 2013
On April 1, 2013, the Jazzablanca Festival audience was in for a unique experience. Programmed on the third day of the festival and subsequent to singer

Melody Gardot
guitar and vocalsb.1985
The 10-minute ''Les Ondes Orientales'' opened the show slowly, with Youssef's oud strings and

Kristjan Randalu
pianoNext came ''Hayastan Dance,'' also from Abu Nawas Rhapsody (Jazzland, 2010). Here, Youssef played in a different register, marked by a fast-paced swing between piano and lute, and a hard rock beat pounding behind it. The repetitive rapid oud rhythm offered each musician time to plunge into a solo, each one introduced Youssef: in addition to Randalu, double bassist

Phil Donkin
bass
Back to Sufism, Youssef introduced the third song through an explanation of the Arabic word "???," which denotes atheism but connotes the fact of concealing something. Quoted from Abu Nawas' poetry, the song ''Profane ,the Wine Ode Suite,'' originally composed with pianist

Tigran Hamasyan
piano''Interl'Oud'' appeased the atmosphere through a soft oud interlude, paving the way to a graceful but poignant ''Odd Elegy,'' where Randalu's ascending piano solo spurred Youssef's ethereal voice to go full blast; the appreciative fans gave a roaring standing ovation. Then, Youssef sat back in his chair to prepare for a delicate vocal solo. He tapped on his breast to release fragmented shrieks, preparing for a trance performance where, once again ,Youssef had to push his musicians to a close with his soaring voice.
To respond to the audience request, Youssef played ''Khamsa, the Khamriyyat of Abu Nuwas.'' Characterized by Abu Nawass' introductory poem, the song opened with a slow rhythm and then turned into a rapid dialogue between Donkin and drummer Sardjoe.
Following a standing ovation, the quartet encored with ''Ode Poetry'' from Divine Shadows (Jazzland, 2006). Another standing ovation failed to bring the quartet back, but the audience left hollering its appreciation for this memorable evening.
Photo Credit
Mehdi El Mouden
Tags
Dhafer Youssef
Live Reviews
Mehdi El Mouden
Morocco
Melody Gardot
Vaya Con Dios
Kristjan Randalu
Phil Donkin
Chander Sardjoe
Tigran Hamasyan
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