Ratïba Ahmed - Fïl Fïl Shatta

[AlfLeila]

taqtuqa by ratiba ahmed. "Fïl Fïl Shatta"
maqam bustanikar

for an artist with over 50 recordings (from what i have of her at least), ratiba's selection in the index is a little skimpy. i'll start off with this one. truth is all that's left after weeding out the early theatre pieces are taqtuqet. if this post is met with any reception i'll try to upload a few more.

[fredlag@noos.fr]

As you know, Ratiba is on of three sisters, Fatheyya, Mufida and Ratiba. While Fatheyya specialized in the learned repertoire and only sung "respectable" romantic taqatiq when she tried this genre (nowithstanding her qasa'id and monologues), Ratiba specialized in both social and libertine taqatiq. The reason for which the number of tracks by Ratiba on this forum is limited is certainly not of a moral nature (I like the khala3a we dala3a vein of songs) but because the artistic value of *most* of those light songs is questionable (although their sociological value certainly isn't). Some pieces by Na‘ima al-Masreyya, Ratiba, Abd al-Latif al-Banna, Munira are actually good. The main interest of this one is obviously the use of maqam bastanikar, which became somehow fashionable in the immediate post-war period. thanks for this document.

[AlfLeila]

The reason for which the number of tracks by Ratiba on this forum is limited is certainly not of a moral nature (I like the khala3a we dala3a vein of songs) but because the artistic value of *most* of those light songs is questionable
i figured as much.. I was reluctant to post anything of hers considering her reputation, not in a disparaging vain, but realizing her works aren't totally apropos with this forum's content..
when it comes to the more (earlier) facile taqatiq of zaki mourad for instance and ratiba's, i'm unable to distinguish the artistic value between the lyrics of the two (i dont understand arabic). so naturally while listening to gameela ya arousa and this piece, structurally they appeal the same to me..


Some pieces by Na‘ima al-Masreyya, Ratiba, Abd al-Latif al-Banna, Munira are actually good
im in love with na'ima, one day we'll get married and have children. i will name them fattheya and ratiba :D