Legend, The (The Arab World's Greatest Singer)

Oum Kalsoum (whose name is more often spelled Umm Kulthum -- or any of several other ways) is often called "The Diva of Arab Song" or, as this collection's subtitle puts it, "The Arab World's Greatest Singer." That's no hyperbole: born in Egypt in 1904 she defied convention in her country by insisting on doing things her way, and she ultimately became so massively popular that when she died in 1975, an estimated four million people crowded the streets of Cairo to pay their respects. Although there are dozens of CDs compiling her work (most found under the aforementioned alternate spelling), few put it into any configuration that makes any real sense of her output or breathes life into it, and many recycle the same material. For that reason, this two-CD British set is a great starter. Although the repertoire isn't dated in the liner note booklet, compiler/annotator Sue Steward does an excellent job of explaining the substance of each piece, be it romantic, patriotic, spiritual, or political in nature. Kalsoum's husky, dominating voice is a force of nature, transcending the often meager sound quality of these recordings (in some spots you can hear the crackle of the vinyl), and her gift with the often tricky Arabic melodies is something to behold. On the minimal, morose-sounding "Ghanna Rabi'bu Lisan At-Tayr," she rides above a zither-liked instrument called the kanun, creating an otherworldliness, while on "Ya Laylet El Id Insitina," with its oud, layered strings, and responsive female vocal chorus, Kalsoum transforms into a dance diva the likes of which the disco era could only have wished for. ~ Jeff Tamarkin|