After a long wait, finally, the Assyrian singer, Habib
Mousa, has released his latest CD, Urhoy (Edessa). For the past forty
years, Habib Mousa has been singing, composing and performing our
traditional Assyrian music. With his powerful but mellow voice, he has
captured the love and admiration of the Assyrian public. His latest CD
continues the musical path we expect of him except that it is probably one
of his best works, if not the best to date.
Urhoy contains ten titles, all composed by Dr. Abrohom Lahdo and Habib
Mousa, two of our best living composers, who between them have produced a
prodigious number of popular songs. To these songs they have given eastern
melodies and based on our most pleasant and soothing Church hymns. Those
familiar with Eastern Church music will recognize these tunes and those
who are not familiar are in for a surprisingly pleasurable experience.
The lyricists for the titles, Said Lahdo, Dr. Abrohom Lahdo, Fr. Sabri
Shahin and Aziz D’Be Amno, are some of our best songwriters in the Western
Assyrian dialect. In addition to Habib Mousa, Urhoy also features two
female singers, Babylonia and Linda Hadiko who accompany the lead singer
on a few cuts. The Mor Afrem Choir of Wiesbaden, Germany provides the
background vocals as well as the wonderful orchestra who has become well
known for its use of various eastern instruments. As is becoming
increasingly the accepted practice with our CDs, this one comes with a
helpful booklet that contains the lyrics for all the songs.
With such a great combination of beautiful singing voices, excellent
musical composition, lovely lyrics, wonderful background vocals, helpful
cover/booklet and professional eastern instrumentation, how could one not
expect this CD to be as terrific as it is?