Songs for Sad Women is an album by the Lebanese oud player and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil which was recorded in Germany in 2005 but not released on the Enja label until 2007.[1]

Songs for Sad Women
Studio album by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Released	2007
Recorded	February 10–15, 2005
Studio	Sound Studio, Zerkall, Germany
Genre	Jazz, World music
Length	55:47
Label	Enja ENJ 9494
Producer	Rabih Abou-Khalil, Walter Quintus
Rabih Abou-Khalil chronology
Journey to the Centre of an Egg (2005) Songs for Sad Women (2007) Em Português (2008)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
All About Jazz	[2]

All About Jazz reviewer Ian Patterson observed "On Songs for Sad Women Abou-Khalil marshals a stripped-down ensemble which plays with air akin to intimate chamber music, yet with the soul of timeless folk music ... This is a highly satisfying addition to Rabih Abou-Khalil's impressive discography; graceful and poetic, and one that lingers in the memory".[2]

The BBC Music review by John Eyles stated "After twenty-five years and eighteen albums, it is unlikely that Rabih Abou-Khalil is going to spring any great surprises; long ago he found a distinctive individual style and has stuck to it since – with sufficient variations to keep it fresh and interesting. One need only hear this music for a few seconds to identify its creator. Aficionados will find everything that keeps them coming back for more; the characteristic blend of jazz-inflected Arabic melody with subtle rhythms combines into a hypnotic whole, as ever with Abou-Khalil’s fluent oud playing in a central role".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Rabih Abou-Khalil

1. "Mourir Pour Ton Décolleté" – 7:29
2. "How Can We Dance If I Cannot Waltz" – 7:08
3. "Best If You Dressed Less" – 6:56
4. "The Sad Women of Qana" – 8:46
5. "Para O Teu Bumbum" – 7:08
6. "Le Train Bleu" – 6:55
7. "A Chocolate Love Affair" – 11:09

Personnel

• Rabih Abou-Khalil – oud
• Gevorg Dabaghyan – duduk
• Michel Godard – serpent
• Jarrod Cagwin – drums, frame drums

References