Odd Times

Odd Times
Live album by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Released	1997
Recorded	May 11–13, 1997
Venue	Stadtgarten, Köln, Germany
Genre	Jazz, world music
Length	64:12
Label	Enja ENJ 9330
Producer	Rabih Abou-Khalil, Howard Levy, Michel Godard, Mark Nauseef, Nabil Khaiat, Walter Quintus
Rabih Abou-Khalil chronology
Arabian Waltz (1996) Odd Times (1997) Yara (1998)

Odd Times is a live album by the Lebanese oud player and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil which was recorded in Germany in 1997 and released on the Enja label.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

The Allmusic review by Kurt Keefner stated "Odd Times is Rabih Abou-Khalil's first live album. Since it would be impractical to assemble all of the guests he has had on his albums over the years, Abou-Khalil has gone in the other direction and pared his ensemble down to what is for him the bare bones ... Most live albums contain well-known pieces from the artist's studio repertoire; in contrast, Odd Times is mostly new material. In general, the album is a mix of shapeless, overlong attempts at atmosphere and fairly bouncy and fun items ... The pared-down lineup is engaging because Abou-Khalil's oud and Godard's tuba are more prominent; unfortunately, Levy's harmonica is also pronounced, and simply clashes with the entire project of fusing Arabic music and jazz".

Track listing

All compositions by Rabih Abou-Khalil

1. "The Sphinx and I" – 5:44
2. "Dr. Gieler's Prescription" – 5:15
3. "Elephant Hips" – 10:15
4. "Q-Tips" – 4:34
5. "Son of Ben Hur" – 11:29
6. "The Happy Sheik" – 9:32
7. "One Of Those Days" – 10:31
8. "Rabou-Abou-Kabou" – 6:52

Personnel

• Rabih Abou-Khalil – oud, bass oud
• Howard Levy – harmonica
• Michel Godard – tuba, serpent
• Mark Nauseef – drums
• Nabil Khaiat – frame drums