Joseph Tawadros – the different oud 

In his new album “The Bluebird, the Mystic and the Fool” (2018), Joseph Tawadros again doesn’t make any compromises with things. 
The meeting with the music of Joseph Tawadros was sudden, breath-taking and memorable. Of course, it happened in the queen of the cities (Istanbul) at Lale Plak music store. Now is the right time to say that our favourite three of oud players consists of Joseph Tawadros, Dhafer Youssef and Anouar Brahem – each one with an individual voice and a signature style. 
While with Youssef we can see a duet voice - oud, with Brahem we have highly lyrical and captivating plays. With Joseph Tawadros the music is in a purely classical form. 
Most often his plays can be heard played by a chamber orchestra, bigger formations or with incredible jazz musicians. You never know if one of the next projects will not get him together with the likes of Bela Fleck or Jack DeJohnette, with John Abercrombie (RIP), Mike Stern or John Patitucci. The combination of instruments is so good, you lose the ground from under your feet. A special favourite is the play Street in Sarajevo. 
Each one of Joseph Tawadros’s albums is a separate journey with new musicians, that you can rarely otherwise encounter – firstly, in terms of structure of the plays and secondly, virtuosity of the musicians. Beautiful and deep music. 
August 2018 
©МА