Onnik Dinkjian- Voice of Armenians: Live in Jerusalem CD Review (Part 2)

{The Setup}

The 77 year old Armenian-American crooner Onnik Dinkjian (at the time of the recording) was coaxed into this concert/recording by his son Ara. The message was clear from son to father. Just go out and sing from the soul, and the audience will follow. Onnik was reluctant since no one in Israel was familiar with him, or his music. Knowing all of this, Jerusalem International Oud Festival director Effie Benaya gave Ara the nod and carte blanche to produce the concert for Onnik in front of a sophisticated and well versed musical audience made up of mostly Jewish Israelis. Of course, Onnik would not be alone. Behind him would be a dream team of musicians; including monster percussionist Zohar Fresco, Kanoon player Tamer Pinarbasi, Greek lyra (a kemanche/violin-like instrument) player Sokratis Sinopoulos, and keyboardist Adi Rennert. Reports from Jerusalem on their first- and only- rehearsal had Onnik forgetting his entrance on the first song "Amenoo Daran" as he was so taken by the ensemble lead by his son (and oudist) Ara. Thus, all the pieces were in place, and it was time for Onnik to deliver.

{ The Review}

The opening of "Voice of Armenians: Live in Jerusalem" is breathtaking from the very first bar. As the plectrum strikes the double stringed oud, Sokratis Sinopoulos' fabulous lyra (otherwise known as a kemancha) taksim transports the listener immediately to Anatolia with"Amenoo Daran", a Dikranagerdsi Armenian folk song. By the time Armenian-American vocalist Onnik Dinkjian joins in to open the CD (and the concert), the party is already underway and is merely waiting for its star performer to arrive. It was a huge relief for me to hear that incredibly, at the Tony Bennett-esque age of 77, Onnik still sounded vibrant, relevant, and most importantly entertaining. It would be the biggest question answered right off the bat- whether the guy could still sing? Affirmative would be the answer.

The disc contains twelve tracks which represent the real nuggets from Onnik's repertoire. For those who have followed Dinkjian's career within the Armenian community, all of these songs will be familiar. They are all classics. From the Dikranagerdsi pieces (Amenoo Daran, Hele Hele/Halay), to Armenian folk songs and compositions (Hay Herosneri Yerk, Garod), to one that Onnik penned/arranged himself titled Hoy Nazan. More importantly, they are pieces he personalized to be sung in his signature quasi cabaret/ethnographic/entertaining fashion. Onnik's voice really is unique and very honest. It's refined enough to be taken seriously, but, rough enough to connect the general public in that folk sense.

Onnik's remarkable rapport with his audience is legendary. And, it is on full display on the fifth track of the disc, "Hele Hele/Halay" as he begins the piece while son Ara is strumming through an oud taksim (solo) stating in English that the following song is an Armenian folk song sung in the Dikranagerdsi dialect. The interplay between Ara and Onnik is one that only a father and son can create. And, the opening call to song and dance in the strange-but-beautiful dialect gives way to a tremendous oud solo by son Ara. The piece is performed with such gusto that it retains the high spot on the program. Another high point is the eighth track, "Yardile", which is sung again in the aforementioned dialect. A master performer, Onnik is clearly having fun in his environment with the backing ensemble.

Other pieces that show the crooner in Onnik include "Yerevani Sharmagh Aghchig", "Im Anoosh Davigh", and "Garod", which have more of a French cabaret feel to it backed again by impeccable and sensitive ensemble work. At times, the flavor of Onnik's arrangements veers off into deep Anatolia with kanoon solos by the Turkish born Tamer Pinarbasi who uses all ten of his fingernails to replace the usual single plectrum on each hand's pointer finger. Another genre of music also appears on this disc in the form of a jam called "Mer Nvakoghneroon". It details some of the musicians Onnik has gigged with and where they are from over the years on the East Coast/Midwest/West Coast (USA). The jam is great, although the lyrics do get a little silly. But still, it's a nod to many years of performing weekend gigs with Diasporan Armenian musicians. It's a nice tribute, but an even better jam that is supposed to show off each of the performers on stage with some solo time. It was a tradition in the States, and the interplay continues on this disc in Jerusalem. Of particular interest is the sinuous lyra taksim by Sokratis Sinopoulos. The ensemble work on this disc is first rate and inspiring.

It would be unfair to compare Onnik Dinkjian now, to his prime vocal years decades ago. He has lost his fastball to be sure, but, the finesse pitcher is still out in full force. Like an old knuckleballer who throws one last gem, Onnik Dinkjian does his legacy proud on "Voice of Armenians". Even more importantly, he brings to life the music of his generation and people from the villages of ancient Armenia via the toll roads of New Jersey and the Eastern Seaboard over to Israel. Indeed for many of us who were lucky enough to be entertained by Onnik Dinkjian, he was "The Voice of Armenians" for all we knew. It's an aptly titled CD, from an immensely entertaining performer.

For those who want to pick up this disc, it is available only at a few places. I recommend this link HERE