Talal Maddah: The artist who introduced Arabs to the Saudi music genrehttps://en.majalla.com/node/291626/culture-social-affairs/talal-maddah-artist-who-introduced-arabs-saudi-music-genre
Talal Maddah: The artist who introduced Arabs to the Saudi music genre
He has helped introduce people from all corners of the Arab world to Saudi Arabia's dialect and style, and has played a key role in the modernisation that Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing
Nesma Moharam
Talal Maddah: The artist who introduced Arabs to the Saudi music genre
Through his personality, lyrics, melodies and performances, Talal Maddah put on a visual and lyrical show that uniquely reflected the Saudi music scene.
He has helped introduce people from all corners of the Arab world to Saudi Arabia's dialect and style, and has played a key role in the modernisation that Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing.
Maddah's first song "I Saw the Moon in Mirrors"/ (Shift Algamar Fi Almaraya), which was composed by him and written by the poet Abdul Rahman bin Saud, was never recorded.
In 1961, he recorded the song "O planter of roses"/ (Ya Zaree Alward) for Saudi Radio. It was this song, composed by him and written by Abdul Karim Khuzam, that launched his career in the Saudi and Arab music scene.
First broadcasted love song
The song was revolutionary in that it was the first love song to be recorded and broadcast on Saudi radio — a platform previously used only to play national anthems.
Despite the fact that the release of the song came at a time when such songs were largely frowned upon in Saudi society, it became hugely popular and broke down artistic and social barriers.
Despite the fact that the release of the song came at a time when such songs were largely frowned upon in Saudi society, it became hugely popular and broke down artistic and social barriers.
While the song was artistically structured to be familiar to the Saudi ear, it experimented with an assortment of musical forms and rhythms. It was the first "polyphonic "song, which is a term that describes the contrapuntal and rhythmic melody.
The surprising popularity of the song helped change society's views on singing — gradually shifting away from conservative mindsets, towards being more open and accepting of different trends.
Given the role his music played in shifting mindsets of Saudi society, Maddah has become one of the most celebrated Saudi artists and a pillar of contemporary Saudi artistic identity.
Maddah greelights Saudi cinema
In fact it was his first and last cinematic appearance, playing a character in the film "The Street of Fog" or (Share'e Aldabab) alongside Sabah and Rasheed Alama, that gave Saudi cinema the green light to launch.
Although the film was not successful, it opened people's eyes to the world of cinema, which is currently experiencing a renaissance in the country.
Talal Maddah always sang in the local style, so that, "anyone who likes it can listen to me."
Attempt to assimilate
Towards the later part of his career, Maddah collaborated with legendary Arab artists such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Baligh Hamdi, and Mohamed El-Mogy.
Despite the stature of these great Egyptian composers, the collaborations were not popular because the style of the songs failed to match with Maddah's amiable personality and music style.
Given his diplomatic nature, he explained that the reason behind the failure of the melody of Abdel Wahab's poem "What should I say" or "Maza Akool" was that he did not compose it himself but left it to the musician Abbud Abd al-Al, who did not give his best effort.
In reality, Maddah knew that the melody of the song did not match his style.
A video on YouTube captures a meeting between Abdel Wahab and Maddah, where the famous Egyptian musician expresses his admiration as he listens to Maddah's song "Strangers" (Aghrab), referring to him by his nickname "Ziryab."
Given his admiration for Maddah, Abdel Wahab invited him to his music label, bringing him elbow to elbow with stars like Abdel Halim Hafez, Najat Al Saghira, and Fayza Ahmed. Even though Abdel Wahab knew Maddah had his own distinct style, he was keen on assimilating his style with the Egyptian genre.
However, Maddah was wise enough to escape the shiny trap that Abdel Wahab had set for him, trying to make him sign a contract which prohibited him from recording songs outside of his label. He later escaped from Abdel Wahab's grip.
A twist of fate
His decision was the right one, it turned out.
Maddah went on to create his own style, built on local songs that he composed himself or were written by Saudi composers.
He started the phase of the Saudisation of singing through his cooperation with the two poets, prince Muhammad Abdullah Al-Faisal and prince Badr bin Abd al-Muhsin, and the composer Siraj Omar.
Famous songs came to light under the shadows of this project, such as "Fates"/ (Maqdeer), "Strangers"/ (Aghrab), "How Long You Are, O Night"/ (Ma Atwalak Ya Leil), "Strangeness and Night"/ (Ghourba w Leil), "Tiredness of the Road"/ (Ta'ab Altareeq), "Love" or (Al-Ashq), "The Road is Asleep"/ (Nam Al-Tarig), and "The Second Date"/ (Almawed Althani).
Maddah's composing abilities were reflected in songs such as "Time of Silence"/ (Zaman Alsamt) and "Promise"/ (Wa'ad).
His determination to be his own artist served as an example to other musicians in the industry — Saudis in particular. He was able to create a genre of music that stands on its own without the artistic influences of Egyptian and Lebanese music.
Maddah's determination to be his own artist served as an example to other musicians in the industry — Saudis in particular. He was able to create a genre of music that stands on its own without the artistic influences of Egyptian and Lebanese music.
Maddah had the foresight to understand that to be a true artist, one must escape from the trap of assimilation. Through his perseverance, he was able to carve out his own space in the Arab music industry, standing on equal ground with his peers.
Today's music stars see themselves as authority figures and influencers. They try to distance themselves from their fans and there has been a recent phenomenon of artists showing their disdain to their fans, with some even insulting them.
Artists today who try to joke with their fans, come across as fake. It is only for show to sell merchandise.
Witty and personable
Maddah came from a different mindset completely. He admired and respected his fans, understanding that their support was what mattered the most.
Maddah's wit shined through on stage, spontaneously joking with the audience — a mark of his true persona both publicly and privately. He was a unique star and a friend of the people. His songs were received by fans as gifts from a close friend.
To honour his legacy, he has been given many titles such as "The Earth's voice" which stuck the most.
This title best captures the dynamics of his relationship with people, art and existence. With his roots firmly planted in Saudi soil, he was able to grow tall and touch the sky.
