Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Before... and After
Compare and contrast! "Lefonov" in two versions by Moshe Yess and Avraham Fried respectively.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Abdul the Rabbi
The 4th Ward AfroKlezmer Orchestra emails about their new release, "Abdul the Rabbi". The title track sounds like Hasidic New Wave meets Frank London's Klezmer Brass All-Stars.
The blurb says it all...
"Abdul the Rabbi on his way to correct a great mistake by an assistant runs into trouble when his liberated 1978 mercedes 300 has broken down. While on the road waiting for help, a series of temptations and horrors pass, Rabbi Abdul looks deep inside himself to find a place amongst the memoried ebb and flow."
The blurb says it all...
"Abdul the Rabbi on his way to correct a great mistake by an assistant runs into trouble when his liberated 1978 mercedes 300 has broken down. While on the road waiting for help, a series of temptations and horrors pass, Rabbi Abdul looks deep inside himself to find a place amongst the memoried ebb and flow."
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
In Review: Milken Archive - "Legend of Toil and Celebration: Songs of Solidarity, Social Awareness and Yiddish Americana"
The past few days in the car, I’ve been listening to "Legend of Toil and Celebration: Songs of Solidarity, Social Awareness, and Yiddish Americana" which is Volume 12 in Lowell Milken's Milken Archive collection.
This two CD set is a valuable collection of American Yiddish music, and it includes both folk music and concert works.
The entire collection is quite fascinating. Of particular interest is the Arbiter Ring seder, which makes up 12 of the 18 tracks on disc one of the collection. It includes numerous intriguing choices including settings of Hasidic Nigunim and American Jewish melodies with Yiddish lyrics; for example, a popular Israeli “Hinei Ma Tov”, the Breslov waltz melody, “A Gute Vokh” , sung as “A Gut Yontef”, and Seymour Rockoff’s well-known melody for Am Yisrael Chai is sung with the lyric “Gut yontef aykh”. The Peysakh Seder ties in perfectly with the collection’s themes of toil and celebration of freedom, and the Arbeter Ring in particular, is a perfect choice to illustrate these themes through the prism of the Hagada.
Another Egyptian slavery reference can be found in "In Dem Land Fun Pyramidn".
I found the section of patriotic American songs, most of which I’d not heard before, to be quite inspiring. It includes Berlin’s “Give Me You Tired, Your Poor”, Gebirtig’s “Amerike, Mayn Vunderland” and Weissner’s “Ikh Hob Dikh Lib, Amerike”. Weissner’s piece in particular, captures the feel and aesthetic of patriotic songs like “America the Beautiful”, while retaining a Yiddishe ta’am. Love for the New Country in the language of the old.
Fave tracks in this collection include Gozinsky’s “Yismakh Moshe” with piano accompaniment, Rosenfeld’s “Mayn Yingele” presented in a vocal chorus setting, Weissner's “Ikh Hob Dikh Lib, Amerike” with its very American piano part, and the entire Arbeter Ring Seder; especially – in addition to the above mentioned selections/adaptations -- the rousing “Tayere Malke” and the lively “Dayenu” in Yiddish.
There are also nice versions of Rosenfield's "Mayn Rue Platz"and Low's "Viglid" here
This is a nicely curated collection that will expose you to an excellent cross-section of Jewish/Yiddish music related to the value of hard, honest labor and a celebration of the opportunity America offered to European Jewish immigrants.
Amazon has the collection here:
Album 1:
Album 2:
This two CD set is a valuable collection of American Yiddish music, and it includes both folk music and concert works.
The entire collection is quite fascinating. Of particular interest is the Arbiter Ring seder, which makes up 12 of the 18 tracks on disc one of the collection. It includes numerous intriguing choices including settings of Hasidic Nigunim and American Jewish melodies with Yiddish lyrics; for example, a popular Israeli “Hinei Ma Tov”, the Breslov waltz melody, “A Gute Vokh” , sung as “A Gut Yontef”, and Seymour Rockoff’s well-known melody for Am Yisrael Chai is sung with the lyric “Gut yontef aykh”. The Peysakh Seder ties in perfectly with the collection’s themes of toil and celebration of freedom, and the Arbeter Ring in particular, is a perfect choice to illustrate these themes through the prism of the Hagada.
Another Egyptian slavery reference can be found in "In Dem Land Fun Pyramidn".
Fave tracks in this collection include Gozinsky’s “Yismakh Moshe” with piano accompaniment, Rosenfeld’s “Mayn Yingele” presented in a vocal chorus setting, Weissner's “Ikh Hob Dikh Lib, Amerike” with its very American piano part, and the entire Arbeter Ring Seder; especially – in addition to the above mentioned selections/adaptations -- the rousing “Tayere Malke” and the lively “Dayenu” in Yiddish.
There are also nice versions of Rosenfield's "Mayn Rue Platz"and Low's "Viglid" here
This is a nicely curated collection that will expose you to an excellent cross-section of Jewish/Yiddish music related to the value of hard, honest labor and a celebration of the opportunity America offered to European Jewish immigrants.
Amazon has the collection here:
Album 1:
Album 2:
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
J-Blog Music related links
Over at Daat Torah, "What is music?"
I don't agree with all of the questions, and the sources suggested are a bit odd -- how about looking at the definition of "rikudim u'mcholos" or the Gemara about Zimra D'mana/Zimra d'puma -- for instance. In any event, a conversation starter.
Meanwhile, at Modern Uberdox: "Why aren't books like these being written for Jews?" Here's a musical 'graph:
I don't agree with all of the questions, and the sources suggested are a bit odd -- how about looking at the definition of "rikudim u'mcholos" or the Gemara about Zimra D'mana/Zimra d'puma -- for instance. In any event, a conversation starter.
Meanwhile, at Modern Uberdox: "Why aren't books like these being written for Jews?" Here's a musical 'graph:
It's exactly the same reason punk music isn't popular in the Jewish music world. Any BT with a punk music background or FFB who is into punk would rather use their talent towards more "mainstream" music, rather than create any frum punk rock. Once you create something that sounds clearly like non-Jewish music, the odds are that those nice boys (and girls) who listen to it will want to check out the original sources of the music. So, in essence, the frum musician would be indirectly responsible for frum kids listening to non-Jewish music and no one wants to deal with that on Yom Kippur.I dunno about this sevara. Why is it any worse for a kid to check out say Hüsker Dü or any other punk band, over checking out the pop tripe they'll otherwise be inspired to look into, applying the same logic to the music being released by frum pop musicians? Lady Gaga's that much better from a religious standpoint? I don't see it.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Monday, April 08, 2013
BDE - Mutty Parnes Z"L
Guitarist/Composer Mutty Parness has died. BD'E.
The funeral is today at noon at Shomrei Hadas Chapel, 3803 14th Ave. in Boro Park.
There's some info about him and a clip of his most famous composition here.
The funeral is today at noon at Shomrei Hadas Chapel, 3803 14th Ave. in Boro Park.
There's some info about him and a clip of his most famous composition here.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Funem Mailbag!
Rachel Feldman writes:
Yiddish lovers and “world music” fans can now include Yiddish music in the modern genres, as it is coming to life with a new and unique project, “Yiddish Welt” (“Yiddish World”). Creators Baruch Friedland and Eddy Somiren have set out to create an album of old Yiddish songs, taking a novel approach of combining the sounds of the Jewish shtetl - the clarinet, accordion, and violin - and rekindling the memories with modern, western sounds and rhythms (reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Deep Forest).
Here's a YouTube clip.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Hakol Kol Isha!
Tablet has a nice piece about Ofir Ben Sheetrit, the religious "The Voice" contestant we noted in "Suspended for Singing."
Monday, February 18, 2013
Yesh Hatikvah!
JMR reprints a Yated piece on Benny Friedman's song "Yesh Tikvah." The best part is the vignette about the guy who ran out of the hall because he thought he was hearing Hatikvah.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Plane Talk
Lara St. John on "Tricks for Getting your Violin On a Plane." She played some solo Bach at a wedding I was playing a few years back. What an artist!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Now That's Israeli Chutzpah!
When Israeli singer Shira Gavrielov was kicked off American Idol, she went back on stage to demand an explanation.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Purim News Headlines
In the spirit of the season, we are pleased to bring you news headlines the J-media will not be bringing you. Besides, Rabbi Zev Brenner needs some more material for his Purim show. (Hi, Zev!)
Pope Benedict XVI Resigns Position To Enter "A Jewish Star" Competition
Hasidic Pop Stars Release Music Video In Support of Convicted Child Molester Nechemia Weberman (Sadly, this could happen)
After Falling Off Charts, Matisyahu Opens "Matisyahu Orchestra & Singers" Office in Boro Park
Aaron Teitelbaum Productions and Shelly Lang Orchestras To Merge
Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak Rally At Nassau Coliseum Banned
BMG Announces 1st Annual Fundraising Concert Featuring Shyne, Shtar, and Kosha Dills.
Maccabeats 'Tzom Gedalya' Single Debuts At #1 On Billboard Charts
Airmont Shul Franchises To Open In Monroe, W'Burg, New Square, and Meah Shearim
Beis Yaakov Rebbetzin To Launch Facebook Competitor To be Called Soulbook
New Crowd-Funding Websites Indie-Schnorrers and Schnorrer-Starters Launched
Avraham Fried Wins "A Jewish Star" Competition
Lipa Schmeltzer Enrolls In YCT Semicha Program
HASC Concert Announces Next Year's Event To Be For Men Only
Previous years' Purim headlines can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigns Position To Enter "A Jewish Star" Competition
Hasidic Pop Stars Release Music Video In Support of Convicted Child Molester Nechemia Weberman (Sadly, this could happen)
After Falling Off Charts, Matisyahu Opens "Matisyahu Orchestra & Singers" Office in Boro Park
Aaron Teitelbaum Productions and Shelly Lang Orchestras To Merge
Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak Rally At Nassau Coliseum Banned
BMG Announces 1st Annual Fundraising Concert Featuring Shyne, Shtar, and Kosha Dills.
Maccabeats 'Tzom Gedalya' Single Debuts At #1 On Billboard Charts
Airmont Shul Franchises To Open In Monroe, W'Burg, New Square, and Meah Shearim
Beis Yaakov Rebbetzin To Launch Facebook Competitor To be Called Soulbook
New Crowd-Funding Websites Indie-Schnorrers and Schnorrer-Starters Launched
Avraham Fried Wins "A Jewish Star" Competition
Lipa Schmeltzer Enrolls In YCT Semicha Program
HASC Concert Announces Next Year's Event To Be For Men Only
Previous years' Purim headlines can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Haredi Hatikvah Hootenanny
Life in Israel posts about a manufactured political controversy about the content of Hatikvah. He's impressed. I'm not. Judging by this, Shas's Eli Yishai is a dishonest, cynical, petty man who has no compunctions over creating massive chillul Hashem, for even a smudge of perceived political gain. Shame!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Blue-ish Music
Saul Kaye plays a nice version of his tune "Two Wolves" for a Chabad crowd. Note how they clap along when prompted. What is it with Jews and backbeats (or lack thereof)?
Friday, February 08, 2013
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
"Play With Kol Nidrei Day"
Apparently, it's "Play With Kol Nidrei Day" today!
A Nigun A Day posts "Triumph Over Torquemada."
Meanwhile, Andrew Grathwohl emails:
I am a member of the bass music collective, CPU/GOD. We're based out of Brooklyn, NY and our new ongoing musical project, entitled "Hebrew Bass Music" involves the use of Jewish vocals and compositions (both live and sampled, religious and secular in nature) in a electronic bass music setting.
As a Jew myself, I love the music and religious songs/prayers of my people, but I have struggled to bring it to a modern audience. This track is our proof of concept: Jewish music works in today's world, and especially on the dance floor.
Monday, February 04, 2013
In Review – Zevy Zions: Bolero Fantasia
Bolero Fantasia is the fourth volume of accordion solos performed by Zevy Zions.
As on his other discs, Zions nicely plays through accordion repertoire, including tunes composed or arranged by Pietro Deiro, Pietro Frosini, and Charles Nunzio.
The recording also includes Zions’ own arrangements of Saint-Saens’s “The Swan” from “Carnival of the Animals” and an accordion reduction of Haydn’s Serenade (from his String Quartets Opus 3, No 5). Sweet!
Naturally, there’s well-played klezmer here too. “Klezmer Suite #4” is a tribute to the late clarinetist Paul Pincus, and features Zions’ tasteful performance of a Doina, Volakh, and Skochna that Pincus used to play. “Klezmer Walk” is a ten-minute long medly of three khosidls; “Drohobitsher Khusid”, Dem Tsadek’s Zemer’l”, and “Tate Ziser.”
I enjoyed this disc a lot. The musicianship is excellent, clearly performed by someone who loves this music, and it’s a very happy-making album. Zions' mastery of accordion technique, from solo bass lines to bellows shakes, from quick arpeggios to his tasteful reed switching, his approach takes full advantage of the sonic possibilities of the accordion.
You can read my reviews of Zevy's three earlier accordion albums here.
You can find more information and order the album at Zevy's website.
The recording also includes Zions’ own arrangements of Saint-Saens’s “The Swan” from “Carnival of the Animals” and an accordion reduction of Haydn’s Serenade (from his String Quartets Opus 3, No 5). Sweet!
Naturally, there’s well-played klezmer here too. “Klezmer Suite #4” is a tribute to the late clarinetist Paul Pincus, and features Zions’ tasteful performance of a Doina, Volakh, and Skochna that Pincus used to play. “Klezmer Walk” is a ten-minute long medly of three khosidls; “Drohobitsher Khusid”, Dem Tsadek’s Zemer’l”, and “Tate Ziser.”
I enjoyed this disc a lot. The musicianship is excellent, clearly performed by someone who loves this music, and it’s a very happy-making album. Zions' mastery of accordion technique, from solo bass lines to bellows shakes, from quick arpeggios to his tasteful reed switching, his approach takes full advantage of the sonic possibilities of the accordion.
You can read my reviews of Zevy's three earlier accordion albums here.
You can find more information and order the album at Zevy's website.
Peeps of the Day
"Tritone Guy"
This peep sings at the chupa. It's a high-end affair and everything has been perfectly coordinated in advance with the office. unique instrumentation, specific repertoire and arrangements, and the keys for the "guest" singer at the chupa are all worked out in advance. He'll sing both "Mi Adir" and Mi Von Siach" in G, we're told. Um, actually, he sings "Mi Von Siach" in Db, as we are left to discover in dealt-time.
"The Beis Yaakov Girl"
A lovely MO engagement party in warm weather. The bare-legged bride is wearing a small dress which leaves little to the imagination. On the gift table, wrapped in clear cellophane, is an elaborately arranged display of cookware, with the pièce de résistance, in a place of honor atop the stack -- "The Beis Yaakov Cookbook"!
"'B' Section Guy"
This peep only sings the "B" section to the song. Can be spotted in shuls, usually davening Musaf for the amid.
"High Note Guy"
This peep can also be found in shul. "High note Guy" will use a tune like Carlebach's "Ana Hashem" for Kedusha. He'll start at the top of his range. Naturally, when he reaches the B, instead of making do by dropping the octave, he'll blow out his voice singing beyond the top of his range, with the expected results. He will have difficulty completing the rest of Chazoras Hashatz.
This peep sings at the chupa. It's a high-end affair and everything has been perfectly coordinated in advance with the office. unique instrumentation, specific repertoire and arrangements, and the keys for the "guest" singer at the chupa are all worked out in advance. He'll sing both "Mi Adir" and Mi Von Siach" in G, we're told. Um, actually, he sings "Mi Von Siach" in Db, as we are left to discover in dealt-time.
"The Beis Yaakov Girl"
A lovely MO engagement party in warm weather. The bare-legged bride is wearing a small dress which leaves little to the imagination. On the gift table, wrapped in clear cellophane, is an elaborately arranged display of cookware, with the pièce de résistance, in a place of honor atop the stack -- "The Beis Yaakov Cookbook"!
"'B' Section Guy"
This peep only sings the "B" section to the song. Can be spotted in shuls, usually davening Musaf for the amid.
"High Note Guy"
This peep can also be found in shul. "High note Guy" will use a tune like Carlebach's "Ana Hashem" for Kedusha. He'll start at the top of his range. Naturally, when he reaches the B, instead of making do by dropping the octave, he'll blow out his voice singing beyond the top of his range, with the expected results. He will have difficulty completing the rest of Chazoras Hashatz.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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