The latest album Salaf Wa Dain" (Borrow and Debt), by Lebanese singer George Wassouf due to be released on June 17, 2003 has been postponed until June 25 by the music production company Rotana for no apparent reason. Rotana refused to give out any information behind its decision saying that it wishes to keep them a secret.
George reecently completed the final touches for his upcoming album that was to hold the title "Uskut Lao Samahit" (Quiet Please), but was changed at last minute and replaced with the title "Salaf Wa Dain". His album will for the first time feature only five songs instead of six.
George will be filmed the song "Salaf Wa Dain" in the form of a video clip under the direction of Tony Abu Elias in a number of villages around Syria. It is noted that George has repeatedly worked with Tony or his wife Mirna due to the fact that a strong friendship is shared between them. The filming is to take three days in Syria and then the whole cast to move to Lebanon to complete the clip.
Tony revealed that the music video for George's new song will surely be a surprise to everyone. He added that the theme of it has never been done before and stressed that it is only suitable for someone like George.
A number of newspapers and magazines around the Arab world have repeatedly written about the deterioration of Wassouf’s health and that his days are numbered without having basing their articles on solid facts. Articles are written without any prior attempt by the journalist to call George or his agent to justify the news.
The latest news reported that the singer was experiencing a severe health condition after closing his personal nightclub where he held a number of live performances during the summer. The fact was that the singer had just decided that he needed to take time off to relax after a busy schedule during the summer last year.
In response to all the rumors circulating about him, George swore on a phone interview that he is not sick and is not experiencing any form of illness and is simply relaxing away from the scenes. He added that he is not obliged to keep repeating over and over to people that he is healthy and his reason for not appearing in any performances is he prefers to spend his time with his family. He went on to say that ever since he began his singing career he was not able to take time-off and spend it with his family doing nothing and just relaxing. He does not know when he will return to the scenes and does not intend on making any promises for the time being.
The singer also expressed that he never gave rumors a second thought, but what saddened him was that his fans believe everything they read even though it is expected since they don’t physically live with him. George added that he wished his fans would stop believing everything they read and have faith in him and he assures all his listeners that he is not sick and is experiencing a perfect healthy lifestyle. He ended saying that he is currently working on the songs for his upcoming album, which is due to, be released during the summer. Adding that the new release will feature a number of surprises wishing not to elaborate on them. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
