Al Oud

In an unrelated search, I excitedly stumbled upon this website featuring MP3s of rare performances by several master oud players of the last century. Absolutely amazing stuff and worth the download times. The gentleman who runs the site seems keen on preserving this music and appears to be a serious oud player & enthusiast. The oud is possibly the ultimate plectrum (played with a pick) stringed instrument and in the hands of players like these guys (or someone like Hamza El Din), the oud is a peerless tool for the deepest human expression.

The first oud I ever heard was Hamza El Din's on this classic Vanguard recording: