Description:
Rather amazing late 1950s forerunner of the Orient Express and John Berberian east-west amalgamations. Very good LP with superb Middle-Eastern belly-dance vibe, not dry or academic but as real as a hazy party night of spicy food and liquor at the local kebab parlour. Personal fave falls out of most psychedelic timeframes yet belongs in here with flying colors. Guy also had some 45s under various names, and probably more album releases. One track pops up in a cover version on the great John Berberian LP on Verve 10 years later.
The five members of Ganimian And His Orientals were all Armenian-Americans, led by Charles "Chi
Rather amazing late 1950s forerunner of the Orient Express and John Berberian east-west amalgamations. Very good LP with superb Middle-Eastern belly-dance vibe, not dry or academic but as real as a hazy party night of spicy food and liquor at the local kebab parlour. Personal fave falls out of most psychedelic timeframes yet belongs in here with flying colors. Guy also had some 45s under various names, and probably more album releases. One track pops up in a cover version on the great John Berberian LP on Verve 10 years later.
The five members of Ganimian And His Orientals were all Armenian-Americans, led by Charles "Chick" Ganimian, who would later become perhaps the most successful American-born oud player. The band's repertoire included Turkish, Armenian, Arabic and some Greek dances and songs... and just like the Beatles, the ability to read music was superseded by playing by ear! Anyway,.it’s an amazing LP with superb Middle-Eastern belly-dance vibe, not dry or academic but as real as a hazy party night of spicy food and liquor at the local kebab parlour ! The guy also had some 45s under various names (Ganim’s Asia Minors, included on the same 1958 LP), and probably more album releases. One track pops up on the great John Berberian LP on Verve 10 years later, and « Come with me to the casbah » has been covered by a lot a surf instrumentals bands.
Oriental Jam
Over the Rainbow
Whirling Dervish
Play Girl Play
Swingin' the Blues
Daddy Lolo
My Funny Valentine
Come With Me to the Casbah
Hedy Lou
Hayastan Moods
Halvah
Nine-Eight
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