Rim Banna // The Mirrors of My Soul // CD

Powerful, appealing songs from Nazareth 

Through two KKV CD projects, "Lullabies from the Axis of Evil", and SKRUK's Christmas record "Krybberom" ("A Lowly Manger"), Rim Banna has become familiar to many Norwegians. She also appeared in the show "Finn veien, engel" (Find the Way, Angel) with Kari Bremnes. 

The powerful voice of this woman from Nazareth in Galilee is appealing, her performance is captivating and her new solo record is beautiful. Produced by Erik Hillestad, this is her first international release.

Rim Banna is accompanied by four accomplished Norwegians musicians: Gjermund Silset (bass), David Wallumrød (keyboards), Rune Arnesen (drums) and Eivind Aarset (guitar). The CD was recorded at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo. The band arranged these powerful and gripping songs about the hopes and tragedies of the Palestinian people together with Rim's husband, guitarist Leonid Alexeinco, who also co-composed some of the songs with his wife. 

The songs are performed in Arabic. Rim's mother has written many of the lyrics. They tell stories, stories of children who have become martyrs in the Palestinian struggle for liberation, stories of sons jailed in Israeli prisons without ever having been convicted by any court, and stories of living in exile after having been robbed of house and home. And there are songs of joy and happiness, celebrating life. Some are Palestinian folk songs.

Track list:

1. The mirrors of my soul                                                    6:19

2. The Carmel of my soul                                                   4:37

3. Malek                                                                               4:08

4. Ya Jammal                                                                       4:36

5. Masha'al                                                                          4:51

6. Sarah                                                                               5:10

7. The moon glowed                                                           4:01

8. The top of the mountain                                                5:24

9. Fares Odeh                                                                      5:57

10. The grandma with a limp                                              3:53

11. The voice, the fragrance and the figure                       6:11