MARY ELLEN DONALD

In March 2006 I was priveledged to meet a very special lady. Mary-Ellen Donald is a seminal figure in the Belly Dance Music scene. She has been teaching drumming since the late 1970s, and she has a remarkable highly developed sensitivity to music that may be partially attributed to her being blind. She is also known by many as the "Guru of finger cymbal playing" and is outstanding on the tambourine. Despite being appointed to the faculty of music at San Francisco State University to teach Middle Eastern Percussion Mary-Ellen's thirst for knowledge is unabated and she is still taking lessons, and "learning from her students"

Since the 1970’s she has performed extensively at concerts, on numerous recordings, and also on the soundtrack of several episodes of ABC-TV series, the Young Indiana Jones. I was thrilled to see this lovely lady's face light up as she took the stage in San Francisco, playing her drums as she lives her life, with joy in her heart. Edwin.

Gems of the Middle East CD's feature the late Mimi Spencer on qanun (zither) and voice, and Mary Ellen Donald on doumbec and tambourine. An often recorded instrumentalist, Mimi Spencer made her singing debut as a recorded vocalist in the Gems series, singing in five Middle Eastern languages.

The Gems CD's reflect the rich musical partnership that had developed between Mimi and Mary Ellen as they performed together for over 20 years. Each CD contains 15 pieces with an ample supply of entrance pieces, slow pieces, drum solos, tip music, and finale music. The drum solos are hot, uniquely constructed, very danceable, and a perfect length with deep resonant sounds of the djembe bringing to them an African flavor.

"This is the best recording of Middle Eastern music I've ever heard, so balanced and clear."
- Abdallah Kdouh, oudist and singer.
"Great; that's how the tambourine ought to sound on a recording."
- Tony Lammam, drummer and tambourinist.

CD Volume I, Tracks:
1. Saba Samir; 2:40
2. Lailet Hob; 6:17
3. Hebbina; 3:34
4. Al-Henna; 3:28
5. Norits Karoon Yegav; 3:50
6. 'A zizah; 3:08
7. Al-'Ataba Ghazzaz; 2:02
8. Toutah; 4:14
9. Alf Lailah wa Lailah; 6:03
10. Hijaz Baladi; 1:34
11. Ya Sitti Ya Khityarah; 1:12
12. Ahwak; 4:33
13. Hani;4:47
14. Hijaz Finale; 0.40
15. Nibtidi Mneen al-Hikaya; 3:21
16. Bint al-Balad; 3:16
17. Hagala Drum Solo; 3:04

In March 2006 I was priveledged to meet a very special lady. Mary-Ellen Donald is a seminal figure in the Belly Dance Music scene. She has been teaching drumming since the late 1970s, and she has a remarkable highly developed sensitivity to music that may be partially attributed to her being blind. She is also known by many as the "Guru of finger cymbal playing" and is outstanding on the tambourine. Despite being appointed to the faculty of music at San Francisco State University to teach Middle Eastern Percussion Mary-Ellen's thirst for knowledge is unabated and she is still taking lessons, and "learning from her students"

Since the 1970’s she has performed extensively at concerts, on numerous recordings, and also on the soundtrack of several episodes of ABC-TV series, the Young Indiana Jones. I was thrilled to see this lovely lady's face light up as she took the stage in San Francisco, playing her drums as she lives her life, with joy in her heart. Edwin.

Gems of the Middle East CD's feature the late Mimi Spencer on qanun (zither) and voice, and Mary Ellen Donald on doumbec and tambourine. An often recorded instrumentalist, Mimi Spencer made her singing debut as a recorded vocalist in the Gems series, singing in five Middle Eastern languages.

The Gems CD's reflect the rich musical partnership that had developed between Mimi and Mary Ellen as they performed together for over 20 years. Each CD contains 15 pieces with an ample supply of entrance pieces, slow pieces, drum solos, tip music, and finale music. The drum solos are hot, uniquely constructed, very danceable, and a perfect length with deep resonant sounds of the djembe bringing to them an African flavor.

"This is the best recording of Middle Eastern music I've ever heard, so balanced and clear."
- Abdallah Kdouh, oudist and singer.
"Great; that's how the tambourine ought to sound on a recording."
- Tony Lammam, drummer and tambourinist.Gems of the Middle East CD
Volume II

Tracks:
1. Tamrihinna; 3:25
2. Laili Ya Layali; 7:20
3. Cleopatra; 3:01
4. Mazamir; 4:08
5. Spectacular Rhythms Finale; 0:40
6. Ya Reem Wadi Thaqif; 3:23
7. Tafta Hindi; 0:34
8. Raghizi Apopse I Kardhia; 4:00
9. Rampi Rampi; 2:14
10. Erev Shel Shoshanim; 3:46
11. Ya Dala' Dalla'"; 6:53
12. Akhud Habibi D'Ana Yamma; 3:07
13. Chapkin Chapkin; 3:30
14. Sahara City; 5:16
15. Chifte-telli Taqsim with Question-Answer Baladi Change; 3:03
16. Fakkaruni Finale; 0:50
17. Sabroso Drum Solo; 3:11

Gems of the Middle East CD Volume III

Tracks:
1. Sawwah; 8:47
2. Medley (arranged by Jazayer); 13.34
Anta 'Omri; 3:52
- La Guardienne des Cles; 2:24
- Ya 'Ain Munayyati; 3:44
- Al-'Elbi Ya'shaq Kulli Gameel; 3:34
3. Kapetanaki/Sala Sala; 6:40
4. Princess of Cairo; 4:00
5. Wa D'Ana; 5:52
6 Longa Riyadh; 3:24
7. Andah 'Alaik; 7:54
8. Me Bounatses ke Boforia; 2:57
9. Mavi Mavi; 3:00
10. Libi Drum Solo; 2:10

Volume I includes the same rhythms as Volume I for Beginners, played faster and fancier.
Ayyoub
Karsilamas
Up tempo Ayyoub
Up tempo Karsilamas
Baladi
Karachi
Malfouf
Up tempo Karachi
Rhumba
Sa'idi, “3 Doum” Saidi
Saudi
Nawwari
Bolero
Chifte-telli
"Walking" Maqsoum
Karsilamas
Up tempo “Walking” Maqsoum
Masmoudi, “Syncopated” Masmoudi

Volume II includes the same rhythms as Volume II for Beginners, played faster and fancier.
6/8 Rhythm
"Syncopated Spice"
Sha'bia "Heart"
Wahidah
Sha'bia "Lung"
"Fast" Chifte-telli
"Tunisian" 12/8
"Mellow" Masmoudi
Syrtó
Sama'i
Jurjuna ("Armenian" 10/8)
Fallahi
Up tempo Fallahi
Kalamatiano