Dora Bandaly - The Bandaly Family

Etrikni Ya Habibi (Leave Me, My Love)

• Dora: Trinki Ya Habibi (Leave Me, My Love)
• Dora: Ammour Ammour (Cute, Cute)
• Renee: Dawwerha (Pass The Joint)
• Renee: Albi Ma'allak (My Heart Is Hanging)
• Dora: Ghareebeh Khel'et (Ghareebeh Was Born)
• Yolla : Rayeh Labe'eed (Going Somewhere Far Away)
• Michline: Al Hob Sharbet Cigara (Love Is A Puff of a Cigarette)
• Roger: Eltello Baddi Beirut (I Told Him I Wanted Beirut)

• Nadia: Ana Elta Kelmeh (I Said It in One Word)
• Dora: Yemken (Maybe)
• Dora: Beza'al Mennak (I'll Get Mad at You)
• Dora: Ya Albi Ya Zgheer (Oh My Little Heart)
• Nadia: Seneh Betsabe'e Sineh (A Year Racing Another)
• Ahebbah Ahebbah (I Love Him, I Love Him)
• Dora: Habbeitak Elt Bteta'ala (You Thought You Could Be Arrogant Because I Said "I Love You")
• Dora: Warak Al Khareef (Autumn Leaves)

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This cassette takes us back to the 1970s and 1980s in Lebanon, when the Bandaly family emerged and rose to fame. The family consisted of 12 singers—3 brothers, 9 sisters, and their parents—led by sister Dora Bandaly, whose most beautiful songs are preserved on this cassette. Their music is characterized by Dora's melodic voice and the youthful, playful, and colorful tunes that defined their style. The Bandaly family first appeared on the Lebanese and Arab music scene in the 1970s after the 12 siblings decided to celebrate Mother's Day by performing a group song for their mother. One of the brothers, Renee Bandaly, recognized the family's potential and suggested they form a musical group. In a short time, the family began building an extensive archive of music, amassing hundreds of songs. In one memorable incident, a neighbor complained about their singing. When a police officer arrived to address the complaint, the family sang for him and entertained him so thoroughly that he encouraged them to ignore their neighbors and continue singing. This event inspired the family to compose their first play, which they initially performed in Damascus, then Beirut, and later across the region, followed by other successful productions. The Bandaly family stopped performing with the end of the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s. However, in 2024, the city of Tripoli honored the family with a grand ceremony, where new singers revived their beloved songs, celebrating the enduring legacy of this artistic family.