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Rahim Al Haj's Odyssey with the Oud The ancient stringed instrument has taken the Iraqi musician from Baghdad to New Mexico. He talks about his journey and his new CD, When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq.

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Rahim Al Haj's Odyssey with the Oud

Heard on All Things Considered

Rahim Al Haj's Odyssey with the Oud

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Rahim Al Haj first encountered the oud as a boy in Baghdad. hide caption

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Rahim Al Haj first encountered the oud as a boy in Baghdad.

Rahim Al Haj in Studio on All Things Considered - 12/23/2006

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When he was a young boy in Baghdad, Rahim Al Haj picked up the oud, an ancient stringed instrument that predates the European lute.

The oud would become the center of his life and provide the soundtrack of a journey that took him from Iraq to America. Now he lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He brings his oud along for a conversation with Jacki Lyden about his new CD, When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq.

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Album
When the Soul Is Settled
Artist
Rahim Al Haj
Label
Smithsonian Folkways
Released
2006

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