The Word: John Berberian appeals equally to psychedelic rock collectors (and all fans of the guitar-like oud) as to general collectors of mid-east music. The Armenian master is rivalled on records by very few (George Mgridichian, John Bilezikjian), and only Berberian has the distinction of making one of the tiny handful of great oud-rock LPs. Whether it's the classic Mainstream LPs or Mid-East Rock on Verve or the fantastic set with Rosko, Berberian never disappoints.
Further below: trade wants
Links: are to artists bio/discog pages in the Hyp Records guide:
Images: accurately represent items but are not always the exact copy listed/purchased
Discount: ALWAYS try to buy more than one item at a time
John Berberian: Expressions East featuring the Oud of John Berberian; Mainstream 56023; 1964; b/w-label promo N-/N $150 -- oud/Mid-East; legendary masterpiece; his first for the label--coveted, rare original LP!; Siseler, Laz, Nubar Nubar, Basha Bella, Arabaya, Dzage Bunch, Whyek, Taksim (oud improvisation)
John Berberian: Oud Artistry of John Berberian; Mainstream 56047; 1965; E+/E+ $100 -- oud/Mid-East; legendary masterpiece--second of two for the label; with Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjiian, John Valentine..; Azziza, Bir-Demet Yasemen, Sevan 5/4, Savgulum, Yarus, Sevasda, Rast Taksim, Rast Sazsemi
John Berberian: Ode to An Oud; Mainstream 802; 2-LP gatefold E-/E+ S $50 -- reissues Expressions East and Oud Artistry; if you can accept anything less than the originals, it's a terrific bargain and a much-wanted, hard-to-find item in itself; Siseler, Laz, Nubar Nubar, Basha Bella, Arabaya, Dzage Bunch, Whyek, Taksim (oud improvisation), Azziza, Bir-Demet Yasemen, Sevan 5/4, Savgulum, Yarus, Sevasda, Rast Taksim, Rast Sazsemi
John Berberian Ensemble: Music of the Middle East; Roulette R-25306; E/N- $100 -- Mid-East/oud; with fellow superstars Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjian, Chet Amsterdam..; uptempo/exciting, rare, wonderful LP expertly prod. by Peter Spargo (who contributes welcome liner notes); fantastic, unbeatable sound from original thick disc in top shape; Dale Dale, Hijazker Longa, Chifte-telli, Nehevent Longa, Oud Solo (5:03), Gamavor Zimvor, Tsamiko, Samra Ya Samra (vocal Bob Tashjian)
John Berberian & the Mid Eastern Ensemble: Middle Eastern Rock; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3073; cutout V+/V+ S $50 -- Mid-East rock/jazz; with fellow superstars Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjian, Joe Beck, Chet Amsterdam..; the best hybrid record that truly merges psyche-era rock and guitar with the oud, percussion, time signatures, etc. of Armenian, Greek, and Turkish music (the only really comparable LP is Gus Vali's Chimera); it's the first reason the psyche crowd is wild about Berberian, although he's always first-rate in all his records and all are essential; priced low for jacket and disc wear but it's still quite a force and a great player; The Oud & the Fuzz, Tranquility, Chem-Oo-Chem, Iron Maiden, Flying Hye, 3/8+5/8=8/8, The Magic Ground
John Berberian/Rosko: Music & Gibran--A contemporary interpretation of the author of "The Prophet" by Rosko w/the John Berberian Ensemble; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3044; 1st jacket/Gibran; sealed w/flap S $120 (or w/flap N-/N- S $100, specify) (or E+/E+ S $75, specify) (or E/E S $60, specify) (or E/E- S $40, specify) -- spoken w/music; "The vocals and arrangements are based on old Middle Eastern melodies, modes, and rhythms--with the addition of contemporary rock sounds for variety of texture and volume"; intense, delightful, and of course different than Berberian's purely instrumental work but perhaps even better for that very reason; Rosko is terrific as always (seek out his other records too); we take every opportunity to rescue this fantastic title from oblivion and so are stocked with top copies at a range prices; Berberian fans NEED THIS!!!; The Speechless Animal, The Story of a Friend, Introduction to "The Broken Wings", Perfection, At the Door of the Temple, A Glance at the Future, Yesterday Today & Tomorrow
John Berberian/Rosko: Music & Gibran--A contemporary interpretation of the author of "The Prophet" by Rosko w/the John Berberian Ensemble; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3044; 2nd jacket/Rosko N-/N S $90 -- rarer-still revised edition features different artwork (Rosko on jacket face rather than Gibran)
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