An 'Eastern style singer' refers to music styles which use certain types of runs, tones, folds, riffs & vibrato, and generally refers to the music of Greece, Turkey, Iran, the Arab world, Flamenco (Spain) and Fado (Portugal), the Balkans, and the Indian subcontinent.

It is known for its use of melisma, as well as its melancholic and very emotive singing, and its vocal improvisation.

These singers are usually masters in both vibrato and complex melismas, and transport you somewhere different when they sing.
Here I have compiled some clips of these spectacular voices who are relatively unknown in the west. Some are alive and some have passed on.

Most are national icons, legends and myths, with nicknames like: 'The great lady of song', 'The soul of Lebanon', 'The Queen of Roma music', 'The Queen of Fado', 'The lady of Arabic song', 'Little Sparrow', the 'Empress of Lebanese song' and 'Iran's foremost singer'.

Who is your favourite? See below for Video index:

#Marinella 0:01

#KavitaKrishnamurti 1:19
#Haydeh 2:08
#YasminLevy 3:17
#Fairouz 4:03
#AmaliaRodrigues 5:01
#ValyaBalkanska 6:10
#HarisAlexiou 7:16
#EsmaRedzepova 8:19
#Sabah 9:28
#Glykeria 10:29
#DianaNavarro 11:41
#SezenAksu 12:28
#DulcePontes 13:29
#UmmKulthoum 14:21

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