By Serene Serhan
Six new songs set Kathem Saher’s South Theater concert on fire, Thursday, bringing with them the now customary, melancholic love that comes with the music of the Iraqi singer.
Saher, who introduced the songs from his new album ‘Alhub Almustaheel,’ (impossible love), transported the audience from the old ruins of a civilized Jerash to the wilderness of love lost.
Coupled with the sad rhythms, known mostly to those who follow Iraqi and Gulf music, the new songs were a hit with the audience on the first day of Saher’s 3-day concert.
The music flowed from Saher and his orchestra for two and a half hours nonstop, evoking feelings familiar mostly to those who have found love and lost it.
Two of the six songs, Mustaheel, (Impossible) and Mustabiddah, (Tyrant), were written by the late famous love poet Nizar Qabani.
The remainder, ‘Ughazilluky, La Tatanahad, Indak Ein and Man Takoun Ant, were by other poets favored by the singer.
Although the singer was not as involved with his audience as he is known to be, those who attended expressed their enjoyment by clapping, singing along and at times even chanting.
However, Saher did not forget to give his audience the music that placed him on the star list.
Ana Wa Layla, Taibt and Abart Al Shat are only some of the golden oldies he performed.
He also performed the customary ‘Choby’ dabkeh, in which he and six members of his band danced on stage, while the audience danced up and down the steps and on their seats.
Meanwhile, Jerash administration was satisfied with Thursday’s packed event, saying that for the first time, the organization was immaculate.
There was no pushing, shoving or kicking, regardless of the fact that the theater, which can take a relaxed audience of 4300, was jam packed with around 5200 attendees.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
