Description
“The fusion of the Tawadros oud with world-class jazz players is seamless and enthralling. Hope In An Empty City represents an extraordinary Australian artist in full flight at the height of his creative journey.”
Every time I hear a new album by Joseph Tawadros I am moved to say this is his best work yet. Hope In An Empty City is a corker! It has mediative serene tracks, some gorgeous solo oud and some of the highest energy music he’s ever produced. The musicians he worked with to create and record this album at the legendary Avatar Studios in New York City are exemplary to say the least. The unison passages of the Tawadros oud and the fabulous playing of Jordanian violinist Layth Sidiq are dazzling. It may seem to be drawing a long bow but I am taken back to the groundbreaking creations of Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar in the seminal East Meets West recordings of the late 60’s.
Joseph Tawadros is Australia’s flamboyant virtuoso of the oud, a North African and Middle Eastern lute and ancestor of the guitar. Currently living in London, he has been playing on the world stage for many years. He is a five-time Aria Award winner and recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia award in 2016.
