Souren Baronian - Hye Inspiration (Carlee, mid 1970s; 2008)

Hye Inspiration* can be considered something of an offshoot of oudist John Berberian's classic 1960s albums for the Mainstream (Expressions East and Oud Artistry), Roulette (Music of the Middle East), and Verve Forecast (Middle Eastern Rock) labels in that it features clarinetist extraordinaire Souren Baronian and vocalist Bob Tashjian, who were both integral members of the groups who recorded those LPs. As I understand it, the three had a professional parting of ways around 1970. Berberian moved from New York City to suburban New Jersey, where he built a home studio and recorded three self-produced private press traditional albums during the mid 1970s in addition to performing primarily at Armenian weddings, picnics, and dances. Baronian and Tashjian continued to work at various clubs in the Big Apple while the former also carried on with experiments of fusing Middle Eastern music with jazz, Latin, and other eclectic styles.

L TO R: BOB TASHJIAN, JOHN TARPINIAN, & SOUREN BARONIAN

Judging by the haircuts and clothing featured in the accompanying photographs, I'm guessing that Hye Inspiration must have been recorded in 1975 or thereabouts. In addition to Baronian and Tashjian, the musicians on this affair include former John Berberian student John Tarpinian on oud, Steve Knight (who had also played with Mountain, the Devil's Anvil, and the Feenjon Group) on electric bass, Jack Zarzatian on acoustic guitar, Jerry Tarpinian (presumably John's brother) on dumbeg, Orhan on kanun, and belly dancer Shamira Shahinian on finger cymbals. Released on the tiny Carlee label, original vinyl copies of the album are somewhat scarce, but a CD reissue that came out a few years ago remains in print.

TAKING A BREAK FROM RECORDING (L TO R): JERRY TARPINIAN,
BARONIAN, TASHJIAN, SHAMIRA, JOHN TARPINIAN, & STEVE KNIGHT

While not quite in the same league as the aforementioned quartet of titles by Berberian, this album bears distinction as one of the best Middle Eastern records of its era, especially since it does not succumb the ersatz funk-disco rhythm arrangements that occasionally appear on - and consequently diminish - similar LPs from the same period. Nevertheless, Hye Inspiration remains something of a progressive effort since six of its eight tracks are original compositions by Tashjian and/or Baronian, although they certainly don't sound out of place next to the remaining material that is of more antiquated vintage. Even if English is your only language (as is the case with me), Tashjian's singing talent makes itself readily apparent on the vocal numbers. As an ethnic Armenian born and raised in Syria, he proves to be equally adept on performances sung in his native language ("Khorodig," "Siroon," and "Eench Anem") as well as in Arabic ("Min Elek Hub" and "Aghli-Jen," with the latter featuring some outstanding solos from Baronian and Tarpinian). However - and with apologies to Tashjian - my favorite tracks are the instrumentals "Hye-Ena," "Herosi Bar," and "Mesrobi-Bar," all of which qualify as belly dance music at its finest.

*"Hye" is the Armenian word for "Armenian."

TARPINIAN, TASHJIAN, & BARONIAN SIT FOR A POSED PHOTO

1. Khorodig
2. Hye-Ena
3. Siroon
4. Min Elek Hub
5. Eench Anem
6. Herosi Bar
7. Aghli-Jen
8. Mesrobi-Bar