Update Number 59: 19th of January 1999
News: Whatever you do, don't miss the feature documentary on Fairouz. It is going to be shown on LBC International this Thursday (1/21/99) at 7:45 P.M. GMT. It's the one I told you about that came on the French satellite channel ARTE. They have more information on this documentary at their site. Let's just hope they don't mess the dubbing, if it's not subtitled, and not cut it to commericals. It's only 52 minutes.
News: Tickets of the upcoming Jordan concert have went on sale. In an article that was headlined "Fairuz sings after King Hussien's recovery", AlHayat newspaper, issue # 13097 of last Thursday '1/14/99', reported that one of Jordan's universities announced that Fairuz will sing in Jordan on the 28th and the 29th of January 1999. Tickets are sold for 140, 110 and 70 American Dollars.
News: Last Days of Socrates was the talk of the Egyptians last week. The play was performed on six nights and was a great success. There were plans to take the play on a tour to different countries. If this doesn't come through, then these were the last times you could have attended this significant event of the entire Middle East. However, you can still enjoy the play by listening to it on the 3 CDs and by reading the book. There are rumors that it was videotaped. It should have.
New Song: 'Baldati Ghabton Jamila' from Rajioun
Download the Song: 'Baldati Ghabton' (302 Kilobytes/ 2'35")
Review: Rajioun
Poll: Use the poll on the contents page.
Poll Results: Poll Archives

Update Number 58: 12th of January 1999
News: Starting from today, the Last Days of Socrates will be performed in the Cairo Opera House. The show will end on the 17th. Ticket prices vary from 50 to 200 Egyptian Pounds.
News: For more information on the Jordan's concert, check the message board.
New Song: 'Ya Jabal El Shiek' from Dabkat
Download the Song: 'Ya Jabal ElSheik' (343 Kilobytes/ 2'56")
Review: Dabkat

Update Number 57: 5th of January 1999
Note: Happy new year. It's 1999. That means we are closer to the end. Yes folks, it's coming soon, gonna hit any moment now. The clock is ticking, the time is passing and the end is near. Don't say I haven't warned you. The signs are in the sky. You don't buy that? Okay. I know. I haven't updated the site in sometime now and I didn't finish the planned sections yet. Moreover, this is a pretty ordinary update, longer but still the same. So how about it? Maybe the news will cheer you up.
News: If you check the message board once in a while, you could have been following the debate. Very lenghty articles. If you can guide your way around them, you will find posts about the upcoming concerts in Jordan and the USA(?).
News: Jordan's Concert. Dates: 28th & 29th of January. Ticket Prices: 50, 75 and 100 JD. The theater is in the Amman Private University where they built a huge Auditorium that is supposed to be one of the best in the Middle East, and holds 6,000 seats. The tickets will be on sale within a week. Thanks Radi for all the information. Thanks Otaiba for the original post.
News: Las Vegas Concert: Fairuz will be performing In las vegas, at the MGM Grand hotel Casino in May. Rumor or not, thanks to Michel Fadel. Keep us posted Michel.
News: Last Days of Socrates will be performed in the Cairo Opera from next week.
New Song: 'Ya Shawish' from Dabkat
Download the Song: 'Ya Shawish' (271 Kilobytes/ 2'19")
Review: Dabkat
New Poll: Vote here --------->
Poll Results: Poll Archives
Links: Fairuz Wallpapers

Update Number 56: 15th of December 1998
Note: Season's Greeting. Time and again, Ramadan coincides with Christmas. It has a very interesting feeling especially if you live in the Middle East. Anyway, this may come as a bummer to some of the regular visitors to the site, but I want to take a break. So the site will not be updated for two weeks. If you have any news or want to know if something will happen soon, then check the message board. There is already information about LBC's upcoming broadcast of the Fairuz documentary we talked about a few weeks ago, so don't forget to check it. In the meantime, enjoy the holidays and I will try to finish the remaining sections.
Merry Christmas and happy fasting.
Ramadan Link: Holiday.net's Ramadan coverage.
Christmas Link: Fairuz sings X-mas: This site includes 14 songs about Christmas and other religious hymns, almost all of them by Fairuz. Songs include Laylet Eid (Arabic version of Jingle Bells).
Christmas Link: Holiday.net's Christmas coverage.
Christmas Link: Santa Claus northern pole headquarters.
Shopping Links: Amazon for books, music and videos, DVDEmpire for DVDs, The Rage for video games and Egghead for computer software/hardware. I have only dealt with Amazon and the Rage.

Update Number 55: 8th of December 1998
Note: Although this week's song is not on this site, I think everyone should listen to it because it's one of the greatest songs in Arabic music history. It's Jarat ElWadi written by Ahmed Shawki (poem) and Mohammed Abdelwahab (music). You can also read the poem in Arabic and English if you have Adobe Acrobat . There is a missing verse, probably because it's transcribed from the original version sung by Abdelwahab himself and because that was early this century and the phonogram? was limited in size that Abdelwahab cut out part of the poem so that it can fit on the disc. However this version by Fairuz is the full one. It's at Fairuz - Al Mashriq.
New Song: Ya Garat al Wadi
Download the Song: 'Ya Garat al Wadi ' (841 Kilobytes/ 6'50")
New Special: Fairuz in Tunisia
Sections Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers, LBC interview with Ziad.

Update Number 54: 1st of December 1998
News: Those who checked to see the documentary on ARTE probably are disappointed. The channel didn't show they told me. However it was supposed to have been broadcasted on two other channels that cover France. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
New Song: Jisr El Kamar from To Assy.
Download the Song: 'Jisr El Kamar' (373 Kilobytes/ 3'12")
Poll: VOTE
Poll Results: Poll Archives
New Special: Fairuz in Tunisia
Links: http://www.arte-tv.com/ Check their great site on Fairuz.

Update Number 53: 24th of November 1998
News: If you happen to live in Europe or the Middle East and have a satellite dish, then get this:
There is a documentary on Fairouz as told by Fairuz herself that was shown two days ago on ARTE, a cultural French channel. It's in French, but the interviews with Fairouz are left without dubbing. It's great and you have to see it. You can get to see some old footage of festivals, rehearsals, social meetings, old Lebanon and family photos including some of Fairuz and young Ziad. It's not to be missed and obviously, a lot of work was made into it. Don't start hating yourself already because they are going to show re-runs. So REJOICE! In reply to an email I sent ARTE they wrote me "L'émission Musica "Fairouz" sera rediffusée sur bouquets numériques (Canalsatellite et TPS) aujourd'hui (le 23/11/98) vers 17h45 sur ARTE" Roughly in English, That's "The Program " Fairouz " will be repeated a number of times (Canalsatellite and TPS) today (23/11/98) towards 17h45 on ARTE. "
I don't know what time 17:45, but probably is of France. Anyway, glue yourselves to the TV sets from now.
Related Link: http://www.arte-tv.com/ Check their great site on Fairuz too.
New Special: Fairuz in Tunisia
Next Week: (Delayed again, sorry) LBC interview with Ziad.
Sections Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers.

Update Number 52: 17th of November 1998

Fairuz with the Tunisian President Zain ElAbedeen Bin Ali

Update Number 51: 10th of November 1998
News: If you have missed any news, check the news page.
New Song: Ala Jisr el Laouzieh from Ya Rayeh.
Download the Song: 'Jisr el Laouzieh' (401 Kilobytes/ 3'26")
Poll: VOTE
Poll Results: Poll Archives
Reviews: Ya Rayeh
Next Week: (Delayed) LBC interview with Ziad.
Sections Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers.

Update Number 50: 3rd of November 1998
News: Fairuz will perform on the 14th of November 1998 in Tunisia. The concert will be held in Kasr ElMa3ared (Palace of the Exhibitions) in Mahalet ElKarm, the capital Tunis. The last time Fairuz sang in Tunisia was in 1968. Tickets will be sold for about 32 to 63 Dollars and estimated to run out very soon. Some tickets are sold for about 190 Dollars. The Tunisian government is on high alert and all are working collaboratively to organize the concert. Fairuz was offered tickets for herself and her musical band by three airliners, but she chose to fly with Tunisian Airlines.
Source: Alhayat. Issue 13206. Monday. 2nd November 1998.
News: Ziad Rahbani will play in concerts held in Paris. The two concerts will take place at 'Institut du Monde Arabe' on the 6th and 7th of November. Information was supplied by Walid Itayim.
New Song: Leylie Bterjaa Ya Layl from Ya Rayeh.
Download the Song: 'Leylie Bterjaa' (485 Kilobytes/ 4'08")
Reviews: Ya Rayeh
Next Week: Information on the LBC interview with Ziad.
Sections Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers.

Update Number 49: 27th of October 1998
Note: Rejoice everyone, old and young ones. This week, a year ago, this site was born.
News: Ziad Rahbani WILL play in concerts held in Paris the coming weeks. More to follow.
News: Don't forget to tune in to LBC tonight Tuesday (10/27/98) to watch Ziad's interview on the famous program 'Al-layla Layltek'. It's on at 20:30 GMT.
New Song: Ya Dara Doueri Fina from Chante Philmon Wehbe.
Download the Song: 'Ya Dara' (527 Kilobytes/ 4'31")
New Poll: VOTE
Poll Results: Poll Archives
Reviews: Cante Philmon Wehbe
Section Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers.

Update Number 48
News: Ziad Rahbani is rumored to play in concerts held in Paris the coming weeks. These concerts are part of the Lebanon Festival in Paris which will tour France. It's mainly organized by the Arab World Insitute in Paris. Also Don't forget to tune in to LBC next Tuesday night to watch Ziad being interviewed by four attractive ladies on the famous program 'Al-layla Layltek'.
Note: There is a new page about the news. Here.
New Song: Tiri Ya Tayara from Chante Philmon Wehbe.
Download the Song: 'Tiri Ya Tayara' (407 Kilobytes/ 3'29")
Reviews: Chante Philmon Wehbe
Section Under Construction: Ziad Rahbani. Questions and Answers.

Update Number 47
Note: A screenshot of the contents page is featured in today's issue (Tuesday, 13th of October) of Alhayat newspaper. Thanks Dina.
Note: There is a new page about the news. Here.
New Song: Available for yet another week Men yaoum tgharrabna from Chante Zaki Nassif.
Download the Song: 'Men yaoum' (518 Kilobytes/ 4'25")
Poll: Vote.
Poll Results: Poll Archives
Reviews: Chante Zaki Nassif
Next Week: Review of 'Chante Philmon Wehbe'
Section Under Construction: Questions and Answers.

Update Number 46
Note: Happy 6th of October Victory Day to all Arabs.
Note: There is a new page about the news. Here.
News: Fans of Ziad Rahbani gather three times every week in three different clubs where he plays his music, some Rahbani Brothers music and some other western music (I guess it's mainly from the classical period). The musicians that accompany Ziad come in large numbers. Sometimes it's hard to find a place for all the band in the clubs but Ziad insists on the number. Some of the Fairuz songs include 'Nehna we Al Amar Jiran' and 'Bektob Esmak Ya Habibi'. They also play songs written by John Lennon. In one of these nights Ziad and the band were all in blue which was spectacular.
Source: Alhayat Newspaper. 4 October 1998. Issue Number 12997. Page 18.
New Song: Men yaoum tgharrabna from Chante Zaki Nassif.
Download the Song: 'Men yaoum tgharrabna' (518 Kilobytes/ 4'25")
Reviews: Chante Zaki Nassif
Section Under Construction: Questions and Answers.

Update Number 45
Note: There is a new page about the news. Here.
News: Last Days of Socrates is going to be performed in Egypt next January. The play will last for more than a week, probably during the second half of Ramadan.
New Song: Marjouha from Mechwar.
Download the Song: 'Marjouha' (347 Kilobytes/ 2'58")
Polls: New Poll.
Poll Results: Poll Archives
Reviews: Mechwar
Section Under Construction: Questions and Answers.

Update Number 44
Note: There will probably be no update next week. Next update will be available on 29th of September.
News: Ziad Rahbani's early 70's musical play Sayhrie is going to be performed once again in Lebanon and that's only for 5 days from 19/9 through 23/9. Everyone will be missing late Joseph Sakr who played Nakhila Eltaneen's role. But as a tribute, the organizers will get someone to play the role but they'll use Sakr's voice from the recordings. It's still not known if Ziad will re-take his drunk man role. Visit Ziad Rahbani Site.
New Song: Baadek Ala Bali from Mechwar.
Download the Song: 'Baddak Ala Bali' (462 Kilobytes/ 3'57")
Reviews: Mechwar
Articles: Part 8 of the al Wasat interview is avaliable in the articles section.

Update Number 43
New Song: Ya Ahl Eddar from Safarbarlek Soundtrack.
Download the Song: 'Ya Ahl Eddar' (368 Kilobytes/ 3'09")
Poll: New Poll.
Poll Results: Poll Archives.
Downloads: Midi files.

Update Number 42
Note: The contents and the index pages design has changed.
Note: From now on, new Real Audio files are going to be available on another server. This will help the files download faster for better audibility.
New Song: Yella Tenam Rima from Bint Al-Harass soundtrack.
Download the Song: 'Yella Tenam Rima' (359 Kilobytes/ 2'27")
News: New Baalbeck information.
Poll: One more week.
New Special: Baalbeck98

Update Number 41
Note: The contents page design has changed.
New Song: Song for Paris from At the Olympia
Download the Song: Song for Paris (472 Kilobytes/ 4'54")
News: More Baalbeck news and information.
Poll: New Poll.
New Special: Baalbeck98

Update Number 40
New Special: Baalbeck98

Update Number 39
Listen to The Song: 'Mayila Al Ghouson' from 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
Download to The Song: 'Mayila Al Ghouson' (362 kilobytes/ 3'06")
Links: Mp3 Songs including some of Fairuz.
New Poll: None this week.
New Review: None this week. It's summer.

Update Number 38
Listen to The Song: 'Ya Helou Ya Amar' from 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
Download to The Song: 'Ya Helou Ya Amar' (370 kilobytes/ 3'10")
Links: Ziad Rahbani Online! ... It's about Ziad. The only one about him that's new and alive and looking good.
Poll Results: Poll Archives
New Poll: None this week.

Update Number 37
Listen to The Song: 'Kaif Halak Ya Jar' from 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
Download to The Song: 'Kaif Halak Ya Jar' (353 kilobytes/ 3'03")
Album Review: 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
Downloads: Fairuz Wallpaper
Links: Arabic Music Internet Reference Requires IE and a special font. Search for Fairuz.

Update Number 36
Listen to The Song: 'Nehna Widyab El-Ghabat' from 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
Download to The Song: 'Nehna Widyab El-Ghabat' (338 kilobytes/ 2'55")
Baalbeck News: Expect three new songs, one written by each of the Rahbina, Mansour, Ziad and Elias.
Album Review: 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'
New Poll: Fairuz has been performing a lot recently, do you think there is a possibility that she may perform in Europe, The States, Canada or Latin America?
Poll Results: What kind of Fairuz songs do you like the most? Results.
CD Booklet text: 'Reminiscing with Fairuz'

Update Number 35
Listen to The Song: 'Shal' from 'Andaloussiyat'
Download to The Song: 'Shal' (669 kilobytes/ 4'34")
News: Fairouz will perform on Friday 14th, Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th, Thursday 20th, Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd of August. She will perform excerpts from 'Jisr Al Kamar', 'Jibal As-sawan' and 'Natorit AlMafati7'. With Mansour Rahbani as the managing producer and the participation of Elias and Ziad Rahbani. Folks, this is going to be spectacular. Don't forget to get some pictures and information for the site. And while you're at it, why don't you promote the site. If you will print the url of the site on paper and distribute it, you will get a treat.
Links: The Official Baalbeck site. Here you can get more on the artists, tickets, and other vital information including how to get there. Special thanks to Walid Itayim for providing the link.

Update Number 34
Listen to The Song: None this week. Check the links below for songs on other sites.
Note: Fairouz will perform on 14,15,16,20,21,22 July or is it August? in Baelabek.
New Poll: There is a new poll.
Poll Results: How many Fairuz records do you have? Results.
Links: Arabic MP3 songs site including some of Fairouz songs including 'Shady'.
Links: Lebanon-online.com tribute to Fairouz, has some good information, 7 real audio songs.

Update Number 33
Note: Sorry for the delay.
Listen to The Song: 3 CLASSIC FEATURE 'Habbeytak Bessayf, Ya Tair El-Werwar and Sakaro El-Shoari3' from 'Fairuz in Concert at The Olympia- Paris'.
Download The Song: 'Habbeytak Bessayf, Ya Tair El-Werwar and Sakaro El-Shoari3' (1128 Kilobytes/ 9'25")
Note: Those going to the festival, keep us updated. Get pictures (of Fairouz not yourselves of course) and write reviews, all will be uploaded on the site.

Update Number 32
Note: The poll has become bi-weekly.
Listen to The Song: 'Ya Re'yane el Jibal' from 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Download The Song: 'Ya Re'yane el Jibal' (425 Kilobytes/ 3'38")
New: According to the Egyptian Alahram daily newspaper, Fairuz will sing in the Baelabek festival set to begin on 23rd of July. A number of music bands will join her on stage including the Schtugart Symphonie. Throughout the 6 day festival, Fairuz will perform songs from 'Jisr El-Kamar', 'Jibal As-swan', 'Natorit A-Mafateih', with some new songs written by Ziad, Mansour and Elias Rahbani.
Source: Alahram, 6/22/98, page 22, issue 40740.
Note: Those going to the festival, keep us updated. Get pictures (of Fairouz not yourselves of course) and write reviews, all will be uploaded on the site.
Poll Results: Are you going to Baelabek this year? Results.
New Poll: Vote on the contents page.

Update Number 31
Note: Sorry for the clumsy update, you know world cup is on, and I don't enough time to make a good update.
Listen to The Song: 'Ya Daret'l Alali' from 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Download The Song: 'Ya Daret'l Alali' (461 Kilobytes/ 3'57")
Reviews: 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Poll Results: Poll extended for another week.

Update Number 30 (Updates Archives)
Notes: Do read the note regarding the news.
News: It has been confirmed that Fairuz will perform in the coming Baelabek festivals. The songs are going to be from old musicals and also some new songs. She is going to record a number of new songs written by Ziad Rahbani very soon. The new songs include ones about 'Majnooun Layla'.
Listen to The Song: 'Sayyef ya Sayf' from 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Download The Song: 'Sayyef ya Sayf' (407 Kilobytes/ 3'29")
Reviews: 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Articles: Alwasat Interview, Part 7: 1, 2, 3, 4

Update Number 29
Notes: There are a number of changes, most significantally on the contents page. Also, do read the note regarding the news.
Special: New Special on Alquds/Jerusalem.
Listen to The Song: 'Hayhat ya Bou'l Zoulouf' from 'Jibal As-sawan'.
Download The Song: 'Hayhat ya Bou'l Zoulouf' (163 Kilobytes/ 1'24")
Reviews: None this week, however 2 reviews will be up next week, including 'Jibal As-sawan''s.
Articles: Alwasat Interview, Part 5: 1, 2, 3, 4
Articles: Alwasat Interview, Part 6: 1, 2, 3, 4

Update Number 28
Note: Do read the note regarding the news.
Special: New Special on Alquds/Jerusalem.
Listen to The Song: 'Zahrat El Mada'en' from 'Jerusalem in my heart/Alquds fi albal'.
Download The Song: 'Zahrat El Mada'en' (994 Kilobytes/ 8'30")
News: Mansour Rahbani has published the poems of his latest musical 'Last Days Of Socrates' in a book. He has also said that the play is going to be available on 3 CDs/Tapes, one of the music, one of the songs and one of the spoken dialouge.
It's rumored that Fairouz is going to return to Bealbek this year. It's also claimed that Mansour will join her. He said that what will probably be performed might be either a compilation of old works or an entire work revisited. He said that the lack of time won't help to make a new one.
Reviews: 'Kifak Inta'
Pictures: Rahbani Gallery: picr01.html, picr02.html, picr03.html, picr04.html, picr05.html, picr06.html, picr07.html, picr08.html Check the thumbnail section for more information.

Update Number 27
Note: Do read the note regarding the news.
Listen to The Song: 'Dia'anou' from 'Kifak Inta'
Download The Song: 'Dia'anou' (373 Kilobytes/ 3'12")
Poll Results: Which period do you like most? Rahbani's 60% Both 40%
New Poll: There are problems with the poll. Not up this week. Sorry.
Reviews: 'Kifak Inta'
Articles: Alwasat Interview, Part 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
Pictures: Rahbani Gallery: picr01.html, picr02.html, picr03.html Check the thumbnail section for more information.

Update Number 26
Note: Do read the note regarding the news.
Listen to The Song: 'Farewell Song' from 'Kifak Inta'.
Download The Song: 'Farewell Song' (477 Kilobytes/ 4' 5")
Poll Results: Do you like the new design of the site? Yes 80% No 20%
New Poll: Which period of Fairouz's music do you most like? Vote in the Interactive section.
Articles: Alwasat Interview, Part 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Pictures: Various Pictures: pica33.html, pica34.html, pica35.html Check the thumbnail section for more information.
New Links: Oussama Rahbani Homepage
Special Next Week: New Picure Gallery 'The Rahbani Brothers'. It also includes some pictures of Elias.

Update Number 25
Note: Welcome to Fairouz.com For those who are familiar with the old site, and the new comers as well, check the outline of the site on the contents page. The 'What's New' section (this one) will contain information on the weekly updates. However since the site has changed, you should check it all, almost everything is new.