The Story Teller

Everyone has a story, but not everyone wants to listen, to just slow down, close your eyes and feel the persons story. As human beings we survive on stories, on myths and legends. As children we were read to, recited to and told of many amazing stories. A good story will grip you and make you think about the stories in your own heart. Perhaps that is why when I first listened to Souad Massi’s Raoui album I fell in love with it. Kol wa7ed menna fel kalbo 7ekaya (translation: Every one of us has a story in his heart). Souad Massi is one of my personal favorite artists. Although she is Algerian she plays no Rai, don’t take me the wrong way, I love listening to Rai. But here is a young woman who has gone against many currents and created her own story, her own style and her own identity. The winner of the 2006 BBC Awards for World Music and extremely talented, has three albums Deb (2003),Raoui (2004) and Meskilil(2005). Folk, country, rock and a touch of Portuguese fado, the music is enchanting and magnetic.