People from every corner of Africa have crowded into Barbés, a refuge for exiles that directed Larbi Dida's raï towards Fateh's shaabi, and that brushed Aziz's guimbri up against Youcef's bass. It is encounters such as these that led to the formation of the Orchestra National de Barbés. In English, the name means The National Barbés Orchestra, implying that Barbés is a nation unto itself. It is a sentiment that few who visit the neighborhood would dispute.
The story started in Belcourt, a working class section of Algiers, Algeria at the peak of the 1980 baby boom. Youcef Boukella's older brothers listened to rock and bossa nova, people watched Cairo film classics on TV and tuned to Kabyl folk music on the radio. Outside the Belcourt alleyways --pandemonium. Street peddlers, muezzins, Gnawa street performers, shaabi concerts, ghetto blasters playing reggae, funk and raï.
"My style of music goes back to my childhood in Belcourt," explains Youcef. In 1985 he was offered a slot playing bass for the first Arabic-language rock group, T34. But when Youcef heard what visiting jazz musician Jeff Gardner was packing, that's when he decided to pack himself up and leave home. Raï was all the rage when he arrived in Paris. He worked with Cheb Mami and Kabyl native Takfarinas at diaspora parties. Safy Boutella plunged him into the vortex of underground jazz. He honed his vision while waiting to record his first album "The Greeting of Peace". This was when his genius as a producer began to reveal itself (his production). Meanwhile, with former -Raïna Raï vocalist Larbi Dida, he recorded a four-title offering that foreshadowed his future approach.
Larbi Dida comes from the town of Sidi bel Abbes and is a founding member of Raïna Raï, the rock-raï group that shook up the Algerian rock scene by zeroing in on a roots-meets-electric sound. Recognized by the Algerian media as a historic breakthrough, this group was the first rock group to use raï in its repertoire. Ever since Larba Dida moved to Paris in 1989, his has been one of the great Arabic voices in the French capital.
Aziz Sehmaoui is another pillar upholding Youcef's vision. Raised in Marrakesh, this Sufi was nourished on a combination of Gnawa Arab-African beats and British-American pop performed in Morocco with various traditional and electric groups. (Association Ziriab, Lemchaheb and others). Like Youcef, Aziz attempts to weld the mystical power of healing rhythms with today's sounds. As the custodian of spiritual rigor and technique, he infuses the music with an aura of native authenticity molded by the luminous candor of his voice.
The band:
Medehi Askeur, Fateh Benlala, Ahmed Benshidhum, Yusef Bukella, Alain Debiossat, Jean-Baptiste Ferre, Fathellah Ghoggal, Olivier Louvel, Taufik Mimuni, Michel Petry, Asís Sahmaui, Kamel Tenfiche. Discography:
En Concert (Virgin 844 009 2, 1997)
Poulina (Virgin 847 553 2, 1999)
Alik (Wagram 3130492, 2008)
Rendez-Vous Barbes (Le Chant du Monde CMD 165, 2010)
Salam
Orchestre National De Barbès Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ourthekid akadoumiw
maghouzif la3mer n3ach
adhedjedjghen oussaniw
feredj arebbi feredj
thizyaw ak thezwedj
hacha nekki idyekimen
3adagh essrahagh lessfendj?
madhnekki zahriw ya3wedj
yefiyi wine imouthen
(Refrain)
The lyrics of Orchestre National de Barbès's song "Savon" describe a narrative of struggle, resistance, and resilience in the face of adversity. The first verse tells of the difficulty of living in poverty ("Maghouzif la3mer n3ach"), and the harsh obstacles that must be overcome ("Adhedjedjghen oussaniw"). The chorus, sung in the Tamazight language, speaks to the importance of perseverance and determination - "Feredj arebbi feredj" ("persevere, our Lord, persevere"), and the need to stay strong in the face of adversity.
The second verse introduces a character named "Thizyaw ak thezwedj" who is searching for justice amidst an unjust world ("3adagh essrahagh lessfendj?"). The next lines grapple with the reality of life's struggles, and question whether there is any transcendent meaning to be found in the midst of such difficulties. However, the final two lines express a sense of hope, that "wine imouthen" (someone will understand), suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of finding connection and understanding.
Overall, "Savon" is a deeply emotional and poetic song that speaks to the universal experience of human suffering and resilience. Through its powerful lyrics and captivating melody, it inspires listeners to stay strong in the face of adversity, and to never lose hope.
Line by Line Meaning
3ouhdhark asavoun ntnach
Dance in the lather, we’re having fun
Ourthekid akadoumiw
The rhythm hits me deep inside
Maghouzif la3mer n3ach
We’re gonna party all night long
Adhedjedjghen oussaniw
Playing the drums, we’re making music
Feredj arebbi feredj
Come, my dear, come
Thizyaw ak thezwedj
Join the celebration
Hacha nekki idyekimen
Let yourself go
3adagh essrahagh lessfendj?
Why are you sad and lonely?
Madhnekki zahriw ya3wedj
Sing along and dance, my friend
Yefiyi wine imouthen
Who wouldn’t love this music?
(Refrain)
Savon, savon, dance in the lather
Contributed by Henry V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Sidibemol
Quel belle chanson! Quel beau souvenir d'un des meilleurs albums de musique algérienne de ces dix dernières années! Ce clip montre les prémices de l'ONB et de Louzine. On apperçoit même Cheikh Sidi Bémol à la guitare et Djilali en choriste et qarqabouiste!
@christophezanardi5319
Certaines chansons sont immortelles ,en cela qu'elles sont porteuses de paix et d’amitiés,celle ci en fait partie, pour moi,ce fut une époque de partage et de fraternité!
@mesbah16
Youcef le chanteur et compositeur est un genie.....je l'ai connu qd il etait en algerie... bravo l'artiste..et tt le groupe c est un honneur ....it's realy bestmerci pr le partage mon frere must3
@maxlimbo007
Salam Alikoum. We are all part of each other. 1 race, human race!
@sowdust
Ouch!!! Souvenir... Quel chef d'oeuvre!!!
@derradjisatoutah9086
j adore ce chanteur,grâce a YouTube j ai pu le voir,dommage ce genre de chanteurs de talents sont mal exploités en Algérie bravo Youssef boukella rak top khouya,zidena un morceau comme ce chef d oeuvre.
@missou9951
vous ne vous rendez pas compte maestro youcef boukella de votre talon vous méritez une carriére solo bravo. de la part d'un artiste musicien algerien
@goodfella30
very nice song .. i love it .. Thanks
@ELHwaoui
Ha Rai Ha Rai Ha Rai..... Antik bel BEAUCOUP ;-) Salam Alikoum al habab
@noureddinemokhtari6737
ها الراي ها الراي وها الراي 😃😆