Odd Times
Live album by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Released	1997
Recorded	May 11-13, 1997
Venue	Stadtgarten, Köln, Germany
Genre	Jazz, World music
Length	64:12
Label	Enja ENJ 9330
Producer	Rabih Abou-Khalil, Howard Levy, Michel Godard, Mark Nauseef, Nabil Khaiat, Walter Quintus
Rabih Abou-Khalil chronology
Arabian Waltz (1996) Odd Times (1997) Yara (1998)

Odd Times is a live album by the Lebanese oud player and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil which was recorded in Germany in 1997 and released on the Enja label.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

The Allmusic review by Kurt Keefner stated "Odd Times is Rabih Abou-Khalil's first live album. Since it would be impractical to assemble all of the guests he has had on his albums over the years, Abou-Khalil has gone in the other direction and pared his ensemble down to what is for him the bare bones ... Most live albums contain well-known pieces from the artist's studio repertoire; in contrast, Odd Times is mostly new material. In general, the album is a mix of shapeless, overlong attempts at atmosphere and fairly bouncy and fun items ... The pared-down lineup is engaging because Abou-Khalil's oud and Godard's tuba are more prominent; unfortunately, Levy's harmonica is also pronounced, and simply clashes with the entire project of fusing Arabic music and jazz".^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Rabih Abou-Khalil

1. "The Sphinx and I" – 5:44
2. "Dr. Gieler's Prescription" – 5:15
3. "Elephant Hips" – 10:15
4. "Q-Tips" – 4:34
5. "Son of Ben Hur" – 11:29
6. "The Happy Sheik" – 9:32
7. "One Of Those Days" – 10:31
8. "Rabou-Abou-Kabou" – 6:52

Personnel

• Rabih Abou-Khalil – oud, bass oud
• Howard Levy – harmonica
• Michel Godard – tuba, serpent
• Mark Nauseef – drums
• Nabil Khaiat – frame drums

References