Pirated copies of Nawal Al Zoughbi's upcoming album sold in Syrian black markets

Published January 24th, 2004 - 03:00 GMT

In the process of trying to make up for her absence from the scenes, Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi has already agreed to hold several concerts around the Arab world. It was revealed that Nawal will be singing new songs from her upcoming at the concerts to give her audience a feel of what the album will be like.

According to the London based Elaph, the singer announced that the album is finally ready for release and has been submitted to Alam El Phan production company, which will handle its distribution and set a date for its release. The company revealed that it will release the album straight after Eid Al Adha (Muslim holiday).

It was revealed that pirated CDs of one of Nawal's new songs are currently being sold in Syrian black markets. The song "Bi Aynak" (In Your Eyes) was copied off a special program on one of the Arab satellite television channels, and is said to be selling many copies.

Al Zoughbi was scheduled to film a second music video for the song “Ainak Kadabeen” (Lying Eyes) from her upcoming album, but decided to postpone the idea at last minute, stressing that the first song “Bi Ayinak” (In Your Eyes) is suitable enough to be released with her album. The singer had stressed that the song from the first clip she filmed features a more cheerful atmosphere and the idea behind it is more practical than the second song, which implies a more romantic mood.

The clip is directed by the famous Lebanese director Nadine Labki, who also directed the hit songs "Akhasmak Aah" (I'll Upset You), "Ya Salam" (Oh My) and, "Siher Oyounoh" (The Magic of his Eyes) for Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. The new video clip was shot in Al Ashrafieh one of Beirut suburbs under the supervision of technical director Yahia Sa’adeh. The clip introduces Nawal in a new look with the help of makeup specialist Elly Fagali and hairstylist Toni Mindaliq. Nawal has been absent from the scenes for some time, since she released her latest album "Illy ITemanaytoh" (The One I Wished For).

Eli Deeb, Nawal’s husband, revealed that Nawal’s album has been postponed one too many times and can not handle any further delay, like waiting to complete the shooting of a second music video. Eli added that the album will hold the title “Ainak Kadabeen” and will feature 12 songs each different from the other in terms of style and meaning. It was added that Nawal had worked with many new composers and poets to add diversity to her music.

During New Year’s Eve, Nawal announced that her scheduled concert in the United States of America haf been cancelled, due to the fact that she had received an initial visa acceptance along with her band, but due to strict security restrictions the visa was delayed in turn making it impossible for her to be in the US on time. She strongly denied rumors that she was denied the permit because she had held a private concert in Iraq during the former regime of President Saddam Hussein, a matter that made the FBI hold suspicion against her.

Nawal revealed that she already has a 5 year visitor’s visa to the US, but it does not allow her to work there, and she must have a working permit in order to hold any form of performance there. Nawal expressed her disappointment regarding the situation but stressed that it is out of her hand and out of the hands of the sponsors of the concert. The singer added that a press conference will be held in order to announce the details regarding the cancellation. The company which was to organize the event made an announcements that it will be refunding the money to all those who bought tickets.

Nawal was to head to the United States of America where she was scheduled to hold a number of live concerts in different cities that have heavily populated Arab communities, in addition to holding a New Year’s Eve concert in Los Angeles California. –Albawaba.com