"Some Arab musicians dismiss the fuss altogether, framing Ms. Grout’s accomplishments in classical Arab music as a sign of a more thorough and reciprocal globalization. “The assumption seems to be that there is nothing special about the global South imitating Western culture, since that is just the way of the world,” said Mariam Bazeed, an Egyptian writer and vocalist in New York. “But when a Westerner deigns to imitate ‘ethnic’ cultures, then it’s suddenly this great act, worthy of documenting.”"
PS I asked Arabs who have followed the show to offer their opinions and many responded on Facebook. Many thought that she was talented while others disagreed. Then Walid Itayim, a classmate from childhood who is an accomplished musician in Lebanon and--I am told--one of the best guitar players in our region--responded with his expert opinion. Here is our exchange (I cite with Walid's permission):
"Walid Itayim Asad, while I didn't particularly like the يا طيور song, I really liked what she did with بعيد عنك .She is no Oum Kalthoum but she is really very good. Oum Kalthoum's songs are very hard to sing and what this girl has managed to accomplish in the three years since she first got interested in Arabic music is very impressive. Whether she has an authentic American accent or not is not very important. As a foreigner and a non-Arabic speaker, she really feels the music and her pronunciation of Arabic words is to be commended. When I see so much crap being released on the Middle Eastern music market by native Arabs most of whom can't sing to save their lives, I cannot but be amazed by her! I am really surprised and disturbed by the hostility expressed towards her in the comments above. Politics and anti-American sentiments should not be the criteria by which music is judged.
6 hours ago · Like · 2
Asad AbuKhalil Walid: I respect your expert opinion. You are the expert and I am not. I only heard about her form the article in the New York Times. But there is so much going in in our region to make me extra suspicious. Yes, Ya Tuyur was not good in fact, and I know it is a difficult song. But you also know how much in our region people celebrate any White Man (including women) if they show the slightest interest in our culture. For some reason, Lebanese and now Arabs are complimented when a European or an American even enjoy a Middle East meal, as if it becomes an a confirmation of our humanity. Thus far, I made it clear that there is no evidence of a political machination in all this. But I just noticed the Western media coverage and several things got my attention. I sincerely hope that my (slight) suspicions are unfounded. Having said all that, and assuming that she has no political agenda, and that she is who she says she is, does she deserve to really win that category in that contest? Is she really superior to the Arab competitors? I don't have the answer to that.
6 hours ago · Like · 4
Asad AbuKhalil I will now try to listen to her rendition of بعيد عنك
6 hours ago · Like · 1
Brian El Khoury غير صحيح، في بعد عنك شذت عن اللحن مراراً.
5 hours ago · Like
Walid Itayim Fair enough, Asad. I know what you mean when you talk about the adoration of the white man/woman. I too hate that. As for whether she deserves to win that particular competition, I can only say that she is definitely one of the best among the competitors (not all are singers - there are dancers and gymnasts among them) of the current season of Arabs Got Talent. She certainly is doing a better job of singing Arabic music than all the people who are singing western songs on this show. Finally, I would like to add that I very much dislike this show. It is not acceptable that three of the four panel members are not qualified to judge music as they are a businessman, an actor and a comedian.
5 hours ago · Unlike · 1"
PS I asked Arabs who have followed the show to offer their opinions and many responded on Facebook. Many thought that she was talented while others disagreed. Then Walid Itayim, a classmate from childhood who is an accomplished musician in Lebanon and--I am told--one of the best guitar players in our region--responded with his expert opinion. Here is our exchange (I cite with Walid's permission):
"Walid Itayim Asad, while I didn't particularly like the يا طيور song, I really liked what she did with بعيد عنك .She is no Oum Kalthoum but she is really very good. Oum Kalthoum's songs are very hard to sing and what this girl has managed to accomplish in the three years since she first got interested in Arabic music is very impressive. Whether she has an authentic American accent or not is not very important. As a foreigner and a non-Arabic speaker, she really feels the music and her pronunciation of Arabic words is to be commended. When I see so much crap being released on the Middle Eastern music market by native Arabs most of whom can't sing to save their lives, I cannot but be amazed by her! I am really surprised and disturbed by the hostility expressed towards her in the comments above. Politics and anti-American sentiments should not be the criteria by which music is judged.
6 hours ago · Like · 2
Asad AbuKhalil Walid: I respect your expert opinion. You are the expert and I am not. I only heard about her form the article in the New York Times. But there is so much going in in our region to make me extra suspicious. Yes, Ya Tuyur was not good in fact, and I know it is a difficult song. But you also know how much in our region people celebrate any White Man (including women) if they show the slightest interest in our culture. For some reason, Lebanese and now Arabs are complimented when a European or an American even enjoy a Middle East meal, as if it becomes an a confirmation of our humanity. Thus far, I made it clear that there is no evidence of a political machination in all this. But I just noticed the Western media coverage and several things got my attention. I sincerely hope that my (slight) suspicions are unfounded. Having said all that, and assuming that she has no political agenda, and that she is who she says she is, does she deserve to really win that category in that contest? Is she really superior to the Arab competitors? I don't have the answer to that.
6 hours ago · Like · 4
Asad AbuKhalil I will now try to listen to her rendition of بعيد عنك
6 hours ago · Like · 1
Brian El Khoury غير صحيح، في بعد عنك شذت عن اللحن مراراً.
5 hours ago · Like
Walid Itayim Fair enough, Asad. I know what you mean when you talk about the adoration of the white man/woman. I too hate that. As for whether she deserves to win that particular competition, I can only say that she is definitely one of the best among the competitors (not all are singers - there are dancers and gymnasts among them) of the current season of Arabs Got Talent. She certainly is doing a better job of singing Arabic music than all the people who are singing western songs on this show. Finally, I would like to add that I very much dislike this show. It is not acceptable that three of the four panel members are not qualified to judge music as they are a businessman, an actor and a comedian.
5 hours ago · Unlike · 1"
