Ali Bahar.. The Masterclass in Bahraini Music (1)

Recently many of Bahrain’s local newspapers including Al-Watan and Akhbar Al-Khaleej have run articles about Ali Bahar’s latest crisis, being which that he has been in hospital for almost a month because he has Sickle blood cell disease better known in Bahrain as سكلر, contrary to rumours saying that he has HIV (WTF?).

On top of this, he moved to a new flat in where I believe is in Shahrakan after being kicked out of his former flat in Riffa and has been living without electricity for over two months! The cherry on top of this man’s poor fortunes is that burglers realising that nobody has been in the house recently left the flat bare after stealing all their possessions including TVs, air conditioners, musical instruments and even the aluminium window frames.

This is another heartaching chapter in Ali Bahar’s life plagued by drug addiction, imprisonment and struggles with record companies.

Ali Bahar, the man, from personal experience is one of the sweetest men you’ll ever cross in your life. He’s such a warm character with almost child like innocence to the point it’s almost his downfall.

Ali Bahar, the musician, with his ground-breaking (and yes, I’m not exagerrating when using this term) music, bringing East and West in a way nobody has done before.

Which musician do we know has a range of influences spanning from Pink Floyd, Gypsy Kings and Bob Marley to Fairouz, Mohammed Al-Mosbah and Bahraini traditional music especially Fijiri like Ali Bahar? He just sounds fresh!

Well OK, he’s not exactly the best looking singer in the world with his awkward looking chin and funny ears, but it’s unfortunate that many people judge him for his looks! Where he lacks in looks he makes up in where many Arab singers lack in, true talent, creativity and most of all imagination!

Those who are unfamiliar with Ali Bahar, he’s the lead singer of the Bahraini Brothers Band with a career spanning over 20 years, and the rest of the band are:

• Khalid Al-Thawadi: Guitarist and Songwriter of most of the band’s songs
• Issa Bahar: Brother of Ali and bass guitarist
• Salim Sultan: Congo drums and the longest serving band member alongside Ali Bahar
• Wajeeh Hassan: Ali’s cousin and drummer, and is known for his cheeky grin
• Mohammed (Forgotten Last Name!): Is the newest and youngest member in the band and plays guitar

Anyways I’ll finish off this post with one of the band’s oldest music videos for a song تلاقينا (We met) so enjoy! Oh, and please excuse the poor quality of the vid