Monday, November 09, 2009

El Masriyeen.... Rag3een!

Do you remember songs like "Mashya El Sanyoora", "Ya Mama Setto", "Mate7seboosh ya Banat" and "3'anno Lel7ayah" that we used to listen to when we were children, with their funny lyrics, cheerful music and the amount of energy and life they used to inject in us whenever we listened to them? They all belong to El Masriyeen band that was filling the radio and TV with their music and lovely songs in the Eighties, lead by the composer Hany Shenouda and many members as musicians and singers with lovely voice. Yesterday I had the chance to attend their first come back concert in Cairo that was held in Wekalet El Ghoury in old Cairo. Listening to their songs I suddenly went back to when I was 5 or 6, and recalled how I loved their songs and used to knew them by heart and laugh my heart out with their funny clips. Now, 25 years later I was surprised to see myself still remembering the lyrics by heart, singing with the music without missing a word and getting back that same old feeling of pure, absolute, unconditional and untouched happiness that only children could feel. The performance was great, the whole band members are so down to earth and I felt as if I knew them already for so long, they were not just singers and musicians doing their job, they were friends, family, relatives. It was obvious that they all have a magical harmony with each other, and whenever Hany Shenouda speaks it is of the simplest, sincere and sweet words, I simply loved the man and his work. He was still on his very same old place on the keyboard, sending passionate looks of love and support to every single member on the band, giving full credit to all of them that I felt he is more of a loving father than a band leader. I couldn't help but going to him after the concert, and over a sincere hug and pair of kisses I thanked him for bringing me back those wonderful feelings that I thought were gone for good and for showing me that happiness can still come in something as simple as a song that is carfeuly written, composed and performed with lots of passion and talent. The band now has three very talented young singers, Fady, Afaf and Ayman who are just sweet and lovely, I couldn't take my eyes off their lovely faces that were hosting unremovable sweet smiles even after the concert ended. After a very long clapping session and a friendly chat with Hany and some of his lovely team, I went back home driving my car in the streets of Cairo and suddenly things seemed better, I didn't mind the dirty buildings, the ugly streets, the chaotic traffic or the people's attitude, for my heart was elsewhere and my ear could hear nothing but the happy music and lovely voices. That was exactly how I felt when I watched "Mamma mia" the musical that kept me happy for days and that I kept it in my list of antidepressants and happiness-enducing things :) Now El Masriyeen band will give their next concert in El Sakia on Wednesday Nov 18th, so I strongly rcommend that you go and get back some of that wonderful time that we all lost for growing up and living in this crazy life.