Rachid Taha: Diwan 2

So is Diwan2 quite in the same general vein as was the first Diwan?
('Ve got the first one and loved it too:)

Of course, Diwan 2 is in the same general vein as the first Diwan. There are some important differences, though. I like the production better -- warmer, less glossy, lots of acoustic guitar, actually, very little electric guitar and a lot less oud/mandolute than usual. Brass on some songs. Also, the overall cast of the songs is more French -- lots of singing in French or French-Arabic hybrid, including the two Taha-Hillage originals. About half the songs would have fit fine on the first Diwan, but the other half -- which are front-loaded -- are much more about including the European roots than the songs on Diwan. By the same token, the new record is probably a little less dance-y than the first Diwan, although there are some great dance cuts on it.

If you like Taha in general, I can't imagine your not liking this. It's very much of a piece with his work, though it has a radically different emphasis than Tekitoi? or any of the last few records.

Thanx!