Maneli Jamal - Interview CBC Radio One 99.1fm

[daveplums]

Love it!

[SuperMIKEFREE]

Maneli:

My son got married a few months ago to a beautiful Canadian girl and has settled down in Canada, We come from Ireland but have relatives in Niagara Falls,we have been many times so it's like a second home.

My son and I play guitar, and now I'm sad because I sit and look at he's guitars and he is no longer with me. But,he is happy so good luck.

When I watched you play I was so happy for you and your family,you now have a home. You are a master musician God Bless You!

[maneli]

@SuperMIKEFREE Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed this one.

[Googly181]

hey maneli. amazing playing. just 1 thing, what is the tuning in southern magnolia?

thanks and keep playing!

[maneli]

@Googly181 Thanks, its in standard.

[TheTobbe654]

This guy is inspiring!

[maneli]

@TheTobbe654 Cheers, thanks a lot!

[drpeppa2357]

Whaaa...? The U.S. deported you? Why?

[maneli]

@drpeppa2357 Haha crazy story. We didn't have citizenship in the states and after 9/11 happened they wanted to kick the people from any "axis of evil" country out. So we claimed refuge in Canada.

[drpeppa2357]

@maneli That's messed up man , our government is in the bad habit of being draconic these days. I'm trying to change that.

[funguy4utube]

It is insane that this family did not get citizenship .. whoever declined them should be deported .. NOW ... our loss is Canada's gain ... thanks to that or those officials ...my feelings go out to this family ..

[maneli]

@funguy4utube Canada is great and has been the best to us out of any country we lived in.

[funguy4utube]

@maneli I just listened again to many of your clips here .. and it occurred to me that there are a few old-timer guitar players who played like you .. I am wondering if you have heard them and if so .. what you think of their playing .. they are Bert Jansch .. and John Renbourn .. their ere was the 70's. There are a few others too .. but their names do not come right to mind. Anyway .. I think your playing is brilliant and unique. pg

[funguy4utube]

@maneli Three cheers for Canada .. btw .. a very very civilized people. One more thing .. have you checked out on utube .. fretkillr ... and son of fretkillr .. also amazing guitarists .. for some reason .. maybe due to his covers being so good .. his covers were pulled off utube .. but there are fans who reload them up. Please check them out. ALso .. I sure you must have checked out Tommy Emmanuel .. and the Korean wonder child ... Sungha Jung .... love to hear your comments on them. pg

[veggiewarriors]

U.S immigration can be such a bitch! Oh well, America's loss is Canada's gain :)

[maneli]

@veggiewarriors :)

[DanielleT192]

Very informative! It's great to know what some of your songs mean and what you have been through. Hope you and your family are all settled now though. Keep writing with inspiration on the way! Also, you have a beautiful family :)

[maneli]

@DanielleT192 Many thanks!

[zenoist2]

Im really glad you kept playing despite everything.

It would be so easy to have given up and the world would have lost a fine musician. You have that bit extra in your music that really inspires people.

2011 should be interesting for you. best of luck man

[maneli]

@zenoist2 Many thanks for the inspiring words!

[AmurgAprins]

Touching story,amazing musician.You deserve your success Maneli!

[maneli]

@AmurgAprins Many thanks!

[hornetpalooza]

Seems like Canada is the happy ending for a lot of immigrant stories. Where ever you come from or happen to live, music is universal and speaks a language of it's own to anyone willing to open their mind. Good luck in the future!

[maneli]

@hornetpalooza I agree. Music will always be my home.

[gitardoofus]

What inspiration - thanks for sharing your triumph over such challenge. Thank goodness for the universal truth and beauty of music, unfortunately not shared by all but such a force for hope and the promise of good for those that hear it. Never doubt your calling...or talent.

[maneli]

@gitardoofus Thank you for those words, very inspiring!

[gitardoofus]

@maneli Absolutely my pleasure! We need your beauty and music now more than ever, Maneli; enjoy and believe every single compliment you get - you've earned it, and it comes from people that love your story and admire your family, as we admire you and your art. If only the US could adopt more of Canada's values....

[Khatib92]

Wait so your taylor is 50 dollars?

[maneli]

@Khatib92 That would be a Johnston guitar for $50. The Taylor was 80 times that :)

[shaktiliaom]

Wow Maneli! You are the Paco de Lucia of these times!

Thank You for sharing your art.

Love&Light

[maneli]

@shaktiliaom I would kill to have his talent :)

[angelanova1]

Maneli I'm so proud of you and your parents. They believed in art expression and as artists they could never allow dictatorial regimen to rule their lives or their children's. Now I see... now I hear you better....

[maneli]

@angelanova1 Thank you Angela, I appreciate that.

[jdaa1234]

Nice interview!!

Keep up the good work..

by the way You have beautiful eyes ;D

[combobommen]

Very heart-touching story man..

[moe064u]

Very Interesting Story of your life.

You are a really good Guitar player.

[CptMosquito]

dude, you're awesome :D

first of all, you're making great music, second you seem like a really nice, smart guy which is another plus.

also, i love the fact that you started small, with iranian heritage (we all know it's a tough place for artists, and i don't mean to offend iran by any means) and became huge.

peace and love, and keep on mind that you have fans in montenegro (it's pretty tough over here also, you know, the yugaslavian war etc etc)

cheers :)

[maneli]

Hehe thanks a lot for the kind words. They will not be forgotten.

[MrTubesnake]

Great story and music! Too bad it took you so long to find "the greatest country in the world" (Canada if you're wondering!).

Do you ever play in the Hamilton / Burlington area?

PS, your dad has a cool mustache

[maneli]

Haha Canada is the greatest :) I do sometimes play in the Hamilton area. Will keep ya posted!

[Arktik83]

"As long as we had art and music, it was called home" that is a beautiful quote and something I completely agree with, without music I could not survive..a truly moving story, I feel so lucky to have found such an amazingly talented individuals music.

[maneli]

It is all we had, glad you found me too! All the best for the new year.

[SurfTiger22]

Your story brought tears to my eyes. Your family must be so proud of you and you of them. Love and light to you all.

[maneli]

Thank you, yes they are. We are all proud of each others accomplishments :)

[dorotwhy]

The spirit in your expression of music must derive from the challenges you have faced and from the diversity to which you have been exposed. You sir, are a gift to anyone who hears you play.

[maneli]

Thanks a lot! My music has definitely sparked from going through what I have at a young age.

[ScreminFlea]

Well, as an American and a Texan, I'd have to say that immigration exported what should have been a national treasure. Our loss is Canada's gain. Just love the music man.

[maneli]

Thanks very much!

[SriCassiopeia]

You moved allot, but it makes you a better human being, having been exposed to so much :)

[maneli]

I agree, i got experience some crazy stuff that helped me with my music :)

[SriCassiopeia]

My fiance says the same thing, he is a refugee from Lebanon. He is a sculptor, though.

But he said moving and being exposed to so much is shone through in his pieces.

[thezappi]

One of my best friends comes from Iran via Japan, France to Germany, she never really settle down. I hope you will find a real home in Canada. And, hey is Canada not one of the bast places in the world for accoustic guitar players?

From Germany it looks like that. Here in Germany is no real accousitc guitar scene exist, expecialy where i do live.

[maneli]

Oh wow, just like me eh! Canada is a great country, nothing bad except maybe the long winters :( Lots of talented fingerstyle players here for some reason too

[Tenntoad]

Very true. Don Ross, Bob Evans, Tony McManus...just to name a few!

Rgds,

Joe Carpenter

[byodomusic]

Hope we all soon live in a world were no one has to escape from anywhere anymore.

Great video Maneli, thank you.

[fransgreg]

Glad for you and your family !

Just wondering, are you still playing the violin?

[maneli]

Haha no. I leave that for my dad. I only have time for the guitar nowadays .

[badboydraco]

I know how that feels - having to move from one place to another and having to adapt again and again. I admire you for turning to music as an outlet for your emotions and experiences.

[maneli]

Thanks a lot. Just being open to the idea of adapting makes the experience much much easier to live there.

[wiregate107]

Great family journey. Inspiring.

[letniromans]

Wow :)

[stairsproduction]

very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[19Karin60]

Nice to know you better cause this interview en foto's. You've been trough a lot... I'll think you're one of the best acoustic guitarplayers of the world allready. And you're very kind aswell. You will have a great carriere!! I'll follow you in this. Good luck!

[maneli]

Thank you very much for the kind words! I really appreciate your support :)

[Cu1t06]

sweet

[TooFreakingRelaxed]

Awesome

[prboyd]

Enjoyed watching your story Maneli. You are a talented fella. All the best. Phil

[Volthan]

probably not for me.. ^^

quite a nice town though, i've got alot of friends down there, but still, it just happens too much too live there, just good enought for a few years!

[maneli]

Haha yeah, it may be a bit much. Im dying to go back to Deutschland man

[19Karin60]

YES DO!!! Then I can visit one of your shows!!

[jazzyedwin24]

Congratulation Maneli, I love this article about you and your family. I can tell you that even life has been unfair but has made you strong as an individual and as a musician. I'm very glad and honor that I met you through Youtube. I wish you and your family all the best.

[maneli]

Thats very kind of you and thank you! Glad you like it :)

[Volthan]

yeah, but berlin is no part from germany anymore!^^ it's kind of a different world.. it's better to speak english down there zhan german! xD

I love to party there, but I couldn't live in berlin for a long time..

[maneli]

Haha really eh? But isn't it so big, big enough to please everyone maybe?

[avalvira]

I love this slideshow! Great story which explains where your great music originates! It was also nice hearing your voice ;) Cute pics of you and brothers when you were kids, too.

Take care,

Ai

[maneli]

Thanks for listening / watching! Glad you enjoyed our story :)

[funlivelife]

Welcome to Canada bro.....Rock on!!!!

[maneli]

Thanks! It feels good to be a part of it :)

[AMIRTALMUSICdotcom]

rock on brotha man...

[krazysoto101]

so basically all those emotions made by those rough time are taken and basically transformed 2 music...you had it rough dude....but your music is still so beautiful

[maneli]

Yep, pretty much.

[SabMei1]

Das Leben auf Umwegen zu meistern ist auch Inspiration. Mit einer starken Familie im Rücken kann man überall glücklich werden - und freundliche Menschen sind auf der ganzen Welt zu finden!

Danke für deine Musik und weiterhin alles Gute aus Deutschland wünscht dir

Sabine

[maneli]

Wow, du hast es sehr schon gesagt. Du hast recht, und ich danke dir fur deine wunshe! I know that wasn't the best German but I try :)

[qwertykiwi]

Truly awesome!

[goochballz]

when i have tough times going on in my life i listen to ziur and it seems to calm me. Keep up the great work and thank you for your beautfiul music.

[maneli]

Thanks a lot, Ziur is very therapeutic for me to play as well.

[marcoacca]

Thanks for your music, Maneli.

[Jenkins11]

Yo Maneli, i was just wondering, how long have you been playing for? I just wanted to remind you that your inspiration is endless. Thanks for rocking, man!

[maneli]

Been hitting the guitar hard for 8 years now. Thank you for your support!

[Volthan]

germany is a nice place right now.. ;P

always welcome! =)

[maneli]

Oh yea! My brother lives in Berlin now and loves it.

[garrethdavis]

you have an incredible story man. i could tell you mean it through your music. rock on

[turkamine]

As an American, I feel for you and your family even though I don't know the reasons or circumstances of your required deportation. Perhaps you would have had MORE rights had your family broken our laws a snuck into our country illegally. It's disgusting, it's going to change but it takes time here. America lost a great talent.

[500passwords]

nice man , looks like your playing is getting a little of the recognition it desrves

[maneli]

Haha well... could be better !

[klg320]

thanks for sharing this..

great interview..

music is obviously your life..your music is so inspiring..i love it ,thanks

Karen xx

[maneli]

Thanks Karen! Glad it inspired you :)

[bitchslapper12]

Maneli Jamal, FUCK YEAH!!!

[Britchest]

JAVI

Ohhhh my god.

I loved the cold arrival song, but now that i Know the story I love it much more, all your music man.

Sometimes this life is a piece of shit, but the hard knocks, makes you powerfull, and you can learn by life. Your story is so hard, this letter never have come, but provably this things made the MAN you are. Like a man who love music, I'm proud of you. Your acoustic guitar was your first love and your music was and will be the feeling of, the hard life child.

Thanks for all.

[maneli]

Haha yess, all of my songs have some sort of meaning of experiences I've gone through. Cold Arrival is a more aggressive song and shows my anger when i first arrived in Canada.

[dadyville]

Wow, great Story.....at the beginning sad yet at the end heartwarming and a happy ending. I wish you all the best for your present and future life!!!

Your Story touched me, now I can understand a little bit the deep feelings in your music.

God bless you....!

[maneli]

Thank you! Glad it touched you :)

[Goldowolf]

Damn my American government for deporting your family. I apologize for their stupidity. Too bad we can't deport some of our politician's and government workers. Beautiful family. Thank you for sharing.

[maneli]

Its not your fault. Good idea about deporting some of the corrupt politicians though!

[xbornstubbornx]

it's such a good idea to fill the interview with family pictures. Now I can clearly see that guitar on your album artwork the same model as mine :). Maybe not exact same, but it's precisely a Takamine cutaway dreadnought. I have the same guitar as Maneli, whoo-hoo! :)

[maneli]

Yes! That tak was my first real steel string guitar, its just been sitting in my closet for a few years now :( My taylor is getting all the attention.

[LadyQuaintly]

Hello Maneli: a heart-warming story it is pleasing to hear that your family have reached their goal for happiness. May music always reside in your soul, best wishes and respects for you and your beloved ones x

[maneli]

Thank you for your wishes, we all couldn't be happier here in Canada!

[AlexanderRisingSun]

WAIT! You understand and speak german? :D

The best part in your story is your first Love...

[maneli]

Ja, ein bischen :)

[AlexanderRisingSun]

Wieso haben wir dann auf Englisch gesprochen? Ich Liebe die Sprache bin aber auch nicht der beste.^^ Aber man lernt ja nur duchs sprächen und schreiben und lesen. Also war es auch gut.

So i hope you have a nice time Maneli. ;)

[maneli]

Haha ich weiss nicht! Mein deutsch ist nicht mehr so gut :( Also jetzt koenen wir Deutsch zusamen sprechen!

[AlexanderRisingSun]

Ich hätte wirklich nie gedacht das du Deutsch kannst und mal in Deutschland gelebt hast.

Du hast mich inspiriert, Maneli. ;)

[maneli]

Haha ja! Ich war nur ein kleiner kind wenn ich dar war :)

[AlexanderRisingSun]

Naja okay, ich stör dich dann nicht weiter, hehe :D

Es ist echt krass mit einer 'fast-berühmtheit' zu schreiben. Denn du kommst noch weit und ich find deine Musik super!

Nagut ... so cya later Maneli and rock on!

Add some new Songs if you got the time pls. ;)

[maneli]

Thanks a lot! Will add some new songs soon, just really busy the next couple weeks with shows.

[AlexanderRisingSun]

That's sounds like fun but stress too ...

So this is it how i want live. Touring and playing for people. Yes that would be great. But first there must be someone who like my Musik and its a long way. Look at Mattrach... 3 Years ago he add his first Video... and now? He is awesome :D

Well, I add some Minutes ago a new Original song from me. It would be great if you check it out and say me what you think about it. But i understand if you haven't the time for that. =)

[ccrider83]

Amazing story ,all the best for the future Maneli . ~~Raymie~~

[SANDYWHEAT]

I heard this interview on your MySpace page and was so glad to hear and see it on YouTube. The pictures are very nice! Great job...keep it up!! God Bless You and Yours!!!

[maneli]

Thanks a lot!

[BabyBoomr]

This is a very touching story about you and your wonderful family. I also love the story about your guitar! Congratulations on receiving your citizenship and best wishes for your continued success! You're very talented!

[maneli]

Thanks very much, it feels good to be a citizen of a country for once :)

[rickcheyne]

A great story. But something tells me we're only at chapter one. I hope you're starting to get used to the winters :-)

[maneli]

I agree, I do believe I am only in the beginning of my journey. I'll never get used to the winters here :)

[Tsutsomu]

Thanks a lot.

STeph.

[Xelanderthomas]

Amazing story man. I knew you had a deep story. You can hear it in the music.