"The Voice of Egypt": Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song, and Egyptian Society in the Twentieth Century (Volume 1997) (Chicago Studies in Ethnomusicology)

best book ever! also in great shape.

Great

Wonderful

This book is first and foremost about showbusiness in early 20th century Egypt and the rise of Um Kulthum, a savy business woman who pulled off what is essentially a whole business around her great voice. What texts to choose, what tunes to adopt, what composers to work with, what type of audience to seek, how much to charge for an entry ticket, how to promote a concert, how to cope with the introduction of radio into showbusiness, how to deal with the press, how to weather the criticism of envious competitors, how to separate public and private lives, how to deal with the religious establishment and the government, how to reinvent yourself in light of new musical influences and more are all questions Um Kulthum faced at some point throughout her career. This book explains the context, describes the protagonists and the answers Um Kulthum gave to each of those questions which gives a different angle on her personality: that of a savy business woman.There is little here about musicology and musical technique per say so if you are looking for academic references on this topic you will be disapointed. If you are a fan of Um Kulthum, you will understand what made her greatness over and above her great voice.

I am big fan of old music from all over the planet but this book and music of Oum Kalthoum below me away.i love her story and her voice.

Virginia Danielson had succeeded in presenting Umm Kulthum to us in ways we never anticipated before. She went in depth describing how the Egyptian society in the twentieth century impacted Arabic songs and how Umkulthum fit in all of this. In this book, I learned more about Um Kulthum the person, the wife, the daughter, and the singer. How strong she was and powerful. Reading the book helped me understand more about here music and songs, appreciate more here voice and how she chooses here songs lyrics. This is a should get book.

This book is not the most palatable work to read. Danielson fails to invite the reader who has little previous experience with Arab culture. Although there are some interesting moments I would strongly suggest becoming more familiar with Arab culture before tackling this book. Danielson seems to be writing for her ethnomusicology friends and forgot to invite the rest of us.

Started off mildly interesting and then ZzZzZz

Besides providing a biography of the Egyptian diva Umm Kalthoum, this book covers the development of musical practice and performance in Egypt in the 20th century. A great read.

Excelente qualidade, presente para minha esposa, que é muito fã dessa cantora. Parabéns