Lebanese pop singer Nawal Al Zoghbi’s latest album Toul Omri (All My Life) is set to a wicked Latin beat. And more impressive than the song itself, is the video clip shot in Brazil.
Although many Arab singers have put Arabic words to Latin and Spanish music, this song is the most daring attempt. For one thing, the beat is a lot stronger and more native, according to Egypt Today magazine.
The video clip for Toul Omri was shot in Brazil with Al Zoghbi modeling the latest fashions, another talent she's become known for. Although the lyrics of her songs often express an emotion or a point of view, they do tend to lack a third dimension. What you hear is simply what you get. Yet in typical Al Zoghbi style, she's got the right mix of songs in each album to guarantee a wide appeal. Here she includes two Lebanese dabka songs and one Arabian Gulf-style song.
The best track is buried in the middle of the tape entitled Habbeto (I Loved Him). It is about coming to grips with the reality that you may spend your entire life loving someone who's only trying to get away from you. This lovely, sad song is full of genuine emotion -- something that her music is not generally known for.
Since appearing on the Arab music scene in the early 1990s, Al Zoghbi has succeeded in reinventing her appearance and style time and time again, keeping several steps ahead of her competition. Although other female vocalists may possess stronger and even better voices, Al Zoghbi's albums have been one hit after another.
Never afraid to venture into different genres, she's tried her hand at Egyptian, Arabian, Eastern European and Rai, each time producing a hit single and demonstrating her versatility and mastery over her craft – Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
