Open Sesame

At the turn of the mid-twentieth century a dormant appreciation for Armenian music among young Americans in this country, burst forth under the influence of young Armenian-American musicians, chief among whom was Artie Barsamian. Since that time this music has become ever more popular and the demand for it has forced the appreciative Barsamian group to become the most recorded Armenian band in America. Barsamian was one of the first to introduce, for lack of a better phrase, modern Armenian music to American society, and since the late 1940’s he has contributed significant innovations to that music. “Open Sesame” keeps with that tradition. Artie’s versatility makes it possible for his listeners to hear Latin variations of Armenian tunes, the soothing interchangeable use of clarinet and tenor sax, and Armenian music with an accomplished band, after a decade together, reacting to each other’s beats with instinctive delight.

For three successive years the Barsamian band has anchored the Armenian segment of the Boston Arts Festival program on television. It not only played the background music for the traditional Armenian dances performed on these occasions but inspired that cultural live audience to engage into spontaneous singing and dancing.

With “Open Sesame”, the band once again unlocks a door to the same quality of Barsamian music recorded for the discriminating listener.

– Gregory Avedikian

Track Listing

Side 1

1. Open Sesame
2. Golghozi Aghchig
3. Greek Hop II
4. Oriental Moods II
5. Oud Meets The Rhythm

Side 2

1. Naringee Buseen
2. Oud Taksim
3. Nuz Bureen
4. Seeroon Manooshag

Album Information

• Artist: Artie Barsamian and His Orchestra
• Catalog Number: VIRGO LP 1800
• Catalog Numbers: VIRGO LP 1800
• Label: Fiesta Record Company, Inc., 1619 Broadway, N. Y., N. Y.
• Liner Notes: Gregory Avedikian
• Source: LP-1800
• Cover: Photo International, Boston, Mass.
• Recorded at: Professional Sound, Inc., Boston, Mass.