Tunisian singer Saber Al Rebaa’i took the Arab music market by storm after his duet remake of Elli Gara (All That Happened) with Syrian singer Asala Nasri.
His warm voice combined with simple lyrics and modern music, in which Rebaa’i modernizes Tunisian folkloric songs, make him a rare commodity in a climate where more emphasis is placed on the marketability of the music than on vocal virtuosity. Rebaa’i is unique in his ability to articulate the words with a crisp freshness.
The album’s title song Khalles Tarak (Take Revenge) revolves around feelings of frustration with a beloved who is taking out her pent up anger from a previous relationship on him. While the lyrics express a wide range of emotions, from understanding to anger to hurt, it's the versatility of Rebaa’i’s voice that makes the song touching and even thought-provoking.
What makes this album especially successful is how well the songs flow into one another. His soothing voice makes this one of those tapes you can listen to without fast-forwarding a single track. Not only are the words he sings beautiful but also the poignant way he expresses them.
However, Rebaa’i cemented his place with the remake of a Tunisian folkloric song Sidi Mansour (My Lord Mansour) – Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
