Jassem Al Obeid and Fariha Al Abdullah

Dialogue

• Attaba Dialogue
• Arab
• Dabke Poem 2000
• Attaba

• Attaba
• Tob Al Zaffa (The Wedding Dress)
• Ya Habaibna (Our Loved Ones)

Label

Artist Origin

More Info

This tape brings together veteran Syrian shaabi star Fariha Al Abdullah with attaba singer Jassem Al Obeid, in a series of attaba dialogues. When Fariha enters the tape midway through its first side, the accompanying instruments sink away to make room for her strong, echo-drenched voice, stealing the spotlight from Jassem and leaving her mark on the recording. Before Saria Al-Sawas became the first lady of Syrian shaabi song, the throne belonged to another mighty voice – that of Fariha Al Abdullah. Fariha is still present today, but she lived a golden age in the 1990s, when she was abundantly present at weddings, private parties, and nightclubs. She collaborated with a wide spectrum of voices and musicians, and shaped the features of the Syrian shaabi singer with her highly dynamic voice, adorned with a hoarseness that adds a layer of sadness. At the beginning of her career, Fariha carried the classification of Al Hajiat or Al Sheikhat, a title given by the people of Homs to female Syrian shaabi singers from their region who suffered rejection from their conservative societies. However, Fariha today carries another title, which she deservedly earned through her sprawling career: Singer of the Badia. Jassem Al Obeid achieved considerable success in both shaabi and attaba scenes, and was one of the few Syrian shaabi singers whose songs made it to various streaming platforms.