A source has divulged to me that famous Lebanese singer Majida el Roumi is in the late stages of talks for a concert at Batroun’s international festival this summer.
The date of the concert is still unknown but judging by previous years, the month of August is when the Batroun festival takes place. Majida el Roumi’s latest concert was at the Jounieh festival last summer.
The Batroun International Festival brought in Najwa Karam in 2011 and Wael Kfouri in 2010. Tickets will soon be available in select places in Batroun city as well as Virgin Box Office.
Perhaps this concert will overshadow the infamous Batroun open air party which brings in tens of thousands of party lovers from all over Lebanon to dance the night away in Batroun’s main street.
If you’re like me and just started to get into the Christmas musically (shopping and other stuff should have started already. If not, well don’t worry you still have time), this post is for you – or at least for your consideration.
While driving to my university today, a friend who carpools with me suggested that for the rest of the week I put Christmas music in the car. So I started thinking… what’s a decent length playlist full of Christmas music that I can listen to over and over again, at least till a bit after December 25th. So here it goes.
1 – All I Want For Christmas – Michael Bublé
This beats the original by a long mile. And it’s an awesome opener for the playlist.
2 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Carrie Underwood
An uptempo with a great vocal to back it up. You cannot but feel Christmasy happy listening to this.
3 – Silent Night – Josh Groban
A classic by one of this generation’s best male vocalists.
4 – Joy To The World – David Archuleta
A nice rendition of this song by a young singer.
5 – Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Lady Antebellum
This classic song isn’t about Christmas per se but you can’t but listen to it during the season.
6 – What Child Is This – Carrie Underwood
This is chilling and haunting.
7 – Peppermint Winter – Owl City
“What’s December without Christmas Eve?” – so true.
8 – Blue Christmas – Andrea Bocelli & Reba McEntire
A great version of this timeless Christmas classic.
9 – Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) – Celine Dion
Like her or not, she can sing – especially when it comes to songs like this. Make sure you check out her version.
10 – O Holy Night – Carrie Underwood
My favorite version of this song. Ever.
11 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Glee
I’m not the biggest fan of Glee. In fact, I think the show royally sucks. But every now and then, they release their versions of songs and it just works. This is one of them.
12 – Bilayli Berdani – Majida El Roumi
One of the few Lebanese chants that reminds me of my childhood – of my mother singing it to me during Christmas. I couldn’t even find a YouTube version for it.
13 – The First Noel – Carrie Underwood
Because there’s no better way to end this playlist than with her impeccable falsetto singing “born is the King of Israel.”
Bonus Track – because it’s Christmas and just one more track isn’t a bad thing:
A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares 