11/19/09 Link Dump

Robert Zimmerman is feeling freilach because Christmas is coming.

JWisdom.com posts a Sermon In A Song featuring Journeys.

Metal Jew posts about the release of a Chanukah-themed metal album in "Hanukah Gone Metal."

Here's a website that compiles many music videos done in tribute to the Chabad shluchim, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holzberg HY"D, who were murdered in the terror attacks in Mumbai last year.

Gruntig posts a video clip, "The Rock Band Family" that gives a glimpse into the messianic insanity that had emerged in Crown Heights by the early '90's.

The professor is in: "Weird Al explains AutoTune."

Finally, here's what just might be the world's worst Nirvana cover.

From the mailbag...

E. emails a link to A Jewish Star - Singing Competition.

Wolf Krakowski emails a link to Vilna: A Yiddish song, sung by Fraidy Katz, which he directed.

A reader is looking for a violin teacher in Brooklyn who teaches youngsters. Any suggestions for him?

Zvi writes:

I noticed you wrote a few articles about your woes of the Jewish Advertising world.
I'm wondering if you've had any positive experiences of specific media and can make suggestions.
Specifically, I'm curious if you've tried smaller publications, such as shul or school newsletters?

Also, have you considered the advantage of Branding a product/band, through continued advertising, as opposed to a specific ad->sale result? When you said, "if people were looking for them specifically, they might find their phone number in one of these papers", I suspect that is the result of long-term and effective branding. It is possible that by seeing that ad many times, and associating it with the positive experience of reading that paper, the person has grown familiar and trusting to that band.

Interested in hearing your experience and feedback.

My response:

I have had positive results on the local level with targeted small advertising campaigns. However, they have to be distinctive, meaning not just running a business card sized (or smaller) ad exactly where all of my competitors are advertising. The ubiquitous small ads typical of the Jewish band listings in the Jewish Press, for example, do not achieve this, IMO. I prefer to find advertising opportunities where my competitors aren’t, rather than where they are.

As far as long term effective branding... When you write: “When you said, "if people were looking for them specifically, they might find their phone number in one of these papers, I suspect that is the result of long-term and effective branding”, the successful branding has been achieved by the paper running the ads for their entertainment section itself, not by the ads themselves for the bands. In other words, based on my experience as well as extensive conversations with some formerly regular advertisers, when they are looking for a specific phone number (and even that is less common in recent years, given the ubiquity of the internet), people might know to turn to that section because they know there are ads there. However, the ads themselves are generally not productive.

In my opinion, given the nature of live music, it is much more effective to direct advertising dollars elsewhere.

Some quick examples:
For the price of a typical ad buy, the band could pay a small group of musicians to perform live at a public charity event.
For the same price, the band could give away hundreds of demo CD’s (assuming they’ve already recorded the material.)

Either of these is much more likely to bring in work, compared to an ad. Plus, you don’t have the negatives of those ads which I’d mentioned in my posts on the subject.

11/17/09 Link Dump

The Jewish Music Report posts "Ethnomusicology – the Americanization of Niggunim," the notes for a lecture given to an ethnomusicology by the Chabad shaliach at the University of Washington. Natch, it reflects a Chabad-centric view of the subject

Over at Vos Iz Neias: "Satmar to Open Subsidized Wedding Hall." Complete wedding package including music, entertainment [fake] flowers. and photographers for less than $10,000. I think they should offer a Vegas-style option too. It'd save even more $$$.

Failed Messiah posts a video report on Menachem Philip's chazara b'she'ala, "Haredi Music Star Leaves Orthodoxy."

The Volokh Conspiracy takes on the typical "yeshivishe lomdus" approach to copyright law in "Yeah, That’s A Good One." I have no reason to think Bluebeat.com is owned by chareidim, but their logic sounds an awful lot like that of the typical Vos Iz Neias/Yeshiva World/Matzav commentor.

Speaking of... Matzav assures us that contrary to what you might think, all is hunky-dory in Shwekey land. They know because the brother who is allowed to use his last name on his CD's says so. Great investigative reporting!

Frum Satire posts a rap video. Nothing like sampling an old Jewish boys choir record to make your beatz!

The Forward posts "A Concerto for Ancient Hebrew Ram’s Horn."I've heard Avitsur play. He has a wonderfully rich and warm sound.

Jewish Guitar Chords has added a random song generator. Why decide what to play, when this page will do that for you?

Over at Circus Tent, !זינג, וועלוול זינג

The story behind Guitar Center. Behind The Music (That Sucks)!

Finally, the ultimate explanation of Progressive Rock!

Keep On Shlocking!

Lenny Solomon writes:

Innovations continue to come from Shlock Rock.

Lenny Solomon and Shlock Rock have released their first Music Video from their new album No Limits. Lenny plans on releasing one video a month until March.

This first music video is called Leah's Song And I Will Pray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1vOsf1Rwa0

You can also hear Lenny talk about the new album, Jewish Music, Songwriting and the Pay What You Want Campaign on this interview on Arutz 7 at this link:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/1563

To Pay What You Want and Download go to www.shlockrock.com.

A Rocking Wedding Band

Check this out. The NY Times profiles a local wedding band in "Say ‘I Do’ to Rock."

And More Peeps...

"The Hallway Smoker"

This friend of the family must have a smoke during/right after the chupa. Naturally, the best place to do so is in the hallway right outside the chupa room. You know. The one that everybody has to pass through to get to the ballroom. The one that the chosson and kallah pass through on the way to the yichud room. The one that does not have any ventilation. Yeah, that one.

"Mr. Why Did You Set Up Here?"

This peep will walk by the band countless times as they're setting up the PA and all of their gear in the same spot they always do when playing this venue. Biding his time, he waits until absolutely everything has been set up before asking "why did you set up here?" Um, because that's where the band always set up. "Well, today we need you to set up on the exact opposite side of the dance floor!" OK, don't you think you might have said something a little sooner?

"Rabbi I'm Not Going To Speak About..."
This peep always starts off by saying he won't speak long. It is then followed, natch, by a long speech, in which he lists many things he won't/can't talk about adequately, talking about each immediately after he's disclaimed his ability to do so.

"You Played My Brothers Wedding"
Um, no. We didn't. We know, because we know who did. It wasn't us.

The "Need Any Help Guy"
This peep's offer of help would feel more sincere if he hadn't just shoved his way past us while we were navigating a cart full of gear through a tight turn off a ramp onto the sidewalk. For some reason, after this peep literally shoves past us in a manner that might have knocked the cart over onto us, his offer of "need any help", made without breaking stride while walking away rings hollow. Thanks for nothing.

"Did You See The Flowers You Bought The Kallah?"
Finally, this peep takes his title from the question his mother asks him after his engagement party. It is followed up by an instruction to make sure the kallah sees them. Because nothing says "I love you" more than the flowers your mom bought and signed your name to.

In Review: Eight Recent Albums

Clearing out the review stack…

Prodezra – Beats L’shem Shamayim

This disc, by beat master Rueben “Prodezra Beats” Fromey, is kicking. Fromey, best known for his recent “Change” single featuring Describe and Y-Love (which is included here), knows how to drop a groove. These beats are raw. No slick over-production here. Just good solid urban beats.

The production is pure hip-hop. No techno (or what passes for techno on most frum pop records). R&B meets Chassidic meets Hip-hop.

Fave tracks include “Change,” “Stood At Sinai” and “The South Nigun,” which features samples of old-time Lubavitch bandleader/singer Eli Lipsker on vocals.

Fromey’s website/myspace is here

Amazon has it here:



Greg Wall’s Later Prophets – Ha’orot

Bassist Dave Richards joins the original Later Prophets trio, Greg Wall, Shai Bachar, and Aaron Alexander, for their sophomore outing; a collaboration with spoken word artist Rabbi Itzhak Marmorstein, featuring musical settings of Rav Kook’s poetry and nigunim. Rabbi Marmorstein reads Rav Kook’s poetry in a combination of the original Hebrew and English translation, while the band plays jazzy grooves behind him. The album also includes two instrumental arrangements of nigunim composed by Rav Kook, ZT”L.

It’s a Beatnik Beit Midrash, where the Rabbis (Marmorstein and Wall) school listeners in Rav Kook’s writings as well as in the art/power of the Jazz groove. Come learn!

If you’ve ever wondered what a frum poetry slam might sound like, spin this one.

Amazon has it here:



Gershon Veroba – 2nd Impressions

Gershon Veroba’s 2nd Impressions is a follow-up in his successful Impressions series wherein he takes well-known pop/rock songs, writes educational Jewish-themed lyrics to them, and performs them as close to the original as he can. Usually, that’s pretty spot on. The arrangements are faithful to the originals, and Veroba’s vocal stylings usually capture the essence of the original artists’ performances.

This type of Jewish edutainment, popularized by Shlock Rock, can often be corny, but working within the premise, Veroba manages to mostly stay away from the clichés of the genre.

This record also features several guest vocalists, including two boys who fill for female vocalists on “Run From the Egyptians,” a spoof of the Bangles “Walk Like An Egyptian” and Tom Bowes, who covers a rewrite of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Veroba’s website is here.

CD Baby has the album here.

Lorin Sklamberg and Susan McKeown – Saints and Tzadiks

On "Saints and Tzadiks," Grammy-winning vocalists Loring Sklamberg and Susan McKeown, who won for the Klezmatics’ “Wonder Wheel”, continue their collaboration on a set of Yiddish and Irish songs.

The vocalists are well matched with each other as well as with the material. There are a number of medleys of similar themed Irish and Yiddish songs.

The arrangements are sparse and compelling and the backup band, which includes klezmer violinist Jake Shulman-Ment and Aidan Brennan on acoustic guitar, among others, is first-rate.

My fave track is “Oakum.” But it’s a tough call.

“Prayer for the Dead” blends “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,” “Kh’bin Oysgeforn Felder,” and “Deus Meus Adiuva Me.” Powerful stuff!

The lyrics on “Father and Son” are intense and Sklamberg sings it solo, without any musical backing, letting the words speak for themselves. It’s amazingly and sadly just as relevant today as much as when it was originally penned.

Don’t miss this one!

The duo’s MySpace is here.

Amazon has it here:


Yiddishe Cup – Klezmer Guy

This album features eight live tracks and six studio tracks by the Cleveland-based Yiddishe Cup.

The material includes Chassidic music, klezmer and Balkan music, some Yiddish and English singing, a cover of Halleluja (the Israeli version) featuring Hawaiian lap steel guitar, a klezmer-style medley of three Bernard Herrman tunes, and an original Klezmer composition by keyboardist Alan Douglass, and a beat-box DJ mashup of klezmer with hip hop.

In other words, this one is all over the place by design.

There are a lot of great klezmer bands out there, but not too many cover and update the Borsht-belt style humor of Mickey Katz et al. To me, the humorous songs and arrangements are Yiddish Cup’s strength, and with this disc, I find myself wishing the band had included more of that on this record.

There are some fun moments, like the tribute to Dutch prog-rock group Focus on Anim Zemiros. It doesn’t really match the rest of the arrangement, but the absurdity makes it fun. I feel like the band might have been better served recording some more of that material.

Also, the live sound on the recording doesn’t showcase the band’s strengths. I much prefer their last record. That said, Klezmer Guy is a good encapsulation of where Yiddishe Cup’s head is at these days. (I couldn’t resist that one. Get it? Cup. Head. Oy!)

My review of their previous release, “Meshugene Mambo,” is here: Klezmer with a Slice of Wry

Yiddishe Cup’s website is here.

Amazon has it here:



Kol Noar Boys Choir

This is the Kol Noar Boys Choir's debut album. I’m not a fan of the boys choir genre. Understandably, I was skeptical of this one. The mostly R&B inflected pop is not my favorite taste, but it is well-executed here. The most notable part of this Ortho-pop choirs’ approach is the lack of screeching/shouting that typifies the genre. Producer Mo Kiss arranges to the boys’ strengths, featuring smooth-sounding solos and harmonies.This is a much more musical approach that makes for a significantly improved listening experience when compared with his competition. You won’t hear any straining on this one. If you like frum boys choirs, but could do without the screeching kids, this one is worth a spin.

Kol Noar’s website is here.

Amazon has it here:


Ben Epstien – Shirei Halevi’im

This independent release by singer/songwriter Ben Epstein features his indie-pop settings of the Shirei Halevi’im, the “Songs of the Day” which the Levi’im (Levites) would sing in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple.)

Epstein writes sweet hooky melodies, and his understated vocals make for pleasant listening. The light production lets the melodies and vocals stand on their own. No fancy arranging tricks here. Just intelligent Jewish guitar pop.

Fave tracks include “Sunday,” and “Wednesday” which has a Spin Doctors influence.

A hidden bonus track sets Ana B’koach to Shlomo Carlebach’s “Lord, Get Me High.”

CD Baby has the album here.

Klezmerfest – Life of the Party

This is Klezmerfest’s second album and the quintet is in fine form here. Of particular note are outstanding performances by accordionist Zevy Zions and trumpeter Jordan Hirsch, but the entire group, which includes drummer Aaron Alexander, bassist Brian Glassman, and clarinetist Greg Wall, is excellent.

Zions’ original “Cape May Bulgar” showcases his virtuosity and his strong understanding of klezmer. This tune and Aaron Alexander’s original contribution “Blagan Balaban” fit nicely alongside the group’s renditions of mostly well-known klezmer dance melodies.

Alexander’s statement of the head of “Fun Tashlikh” on solo drum set is a neat creative touch as is bassist Brian Glassman’s bowed melody playing on "Kishinever Bulgar.”

This is a well-played trad-style Klez album with a few modern touches around the edges. You will want to dance.

Update: Amazon has the album here:



Enjoy!

From the mailbag...

Pinchos Vorst forwards a link to a video of his impersonations of Chassidic pop singers like Ohad!

E writes:

A rebbe at Reishit tweeted these links "בזכות ר' לוי יצחק בן שרה סאשע"
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYE0n1tQiaUr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq0sXRAtpCY
 
Personally, I find it a little off putting and inappropriate to be playing guitars at a holy rabbis grave (or anyones grave for that matter).

Personally, I'm more perturbed by the spelling of the village name.

Anon writes:

"Shwekey, Ad Bli Dai" is the understatement of the century ;)

Truth in advertising.

Finally, a press release.

Nulite Music, Inc. proudly announces the release of Sy Kushner's second CD of original Jewish music. Performing with some of New York's top klezmer musicians, Sy takes us on a mulifaceted musical journey but always with Jewish sensibilities. So fasten your seat belt and come along for the musical journey.

Also available are books for C and Bb instruments with the music from the album.

10/19 Link Dump

The Jewish Music Report looks at some "Alternative Jewish Music: Great Artists." There are many frum artists with international reputations. It's nice to see a site that primarily focuses on commercial Chassidic pop music take a look at some of these artists.

While we're on the subject... this is a good place to mention Rabbi Greg Wall's installation as rabbi of the Sixth Street Synagogue in NYC. To celebrate, the shul is having a concert retrospective, looking at Wall's musical work over the past twenty years. Several of his projects will be performing, including Hassidic New Wave, Later Prophets, Klezmerfest, Unity Orchestra, and more.

The installation/concert (and Greg's 50th B-day celebration) will take place at the Sixth Street Synagogue on October 31, 2009 at 8:30pm. The address is 325 E. 6th St. (between 1st and 2nd) and admission is $18 at the door.


Neshama Carlebach's new record, a collaboration with the Green Pastures Baptist Church choir is now out. You can listen to the album and buy ithere.

Marching on Mein Shtetl Yass. Check out their other clips, these guys are good! The leader of that band, Na'or Carmi has a new collaboration with clarinetist Chilik Frank that's also well worth checking out. You can hear a clip off that project here.

Over at DovBear, a post on Simchat Torah: " Why don't the Women Dance?

David J. Hahn posts on "Motivating Musicians as a Bandleader."

Hey, it's another Ortho boys choir!The Yitzy Bald Boys Choir.

Ha'aretz interviewed Menachem Philip in an article on people who've left Orthodoxy,"The Ties That Continue To Bind."Ha'aretz interviewed Menachem Philip.

Filmmaker Meni Philip, formerly a well-known famous Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) singer, who recently presented his short film "Sinner," at the festival in Venice, says he is sometimes suddenly "thrown back" to his previous self. For example, when he choked up upon hearing a song by Haredi singer Mordechai Ben David on the radio. Philip himself recently embarked on a journey to learn about secular music, and discovered the Beatles and classical music. He has also shed any "religious jargon," as he describes it, in his own singing. But, in spite of everything, he admits, there is Haredi music that touches him deeply, "because of your childhood. It makes your stomach do flip-flops."

I met with Philip, who has been "outside" for nine years, to discuss a heartrending scene in his documentary film "Let There Be Light" (2007), which recounts his personal story and that of his brother, who also left religious life. The scene takes place at a Purim party organized by Hillel, a nonprofit Israeli organization catering to those who leave the ultra-Orthodox community. Philip performed one of his melancholy hits from the past - "Rabbi Ishmael Said" - before an audience of people who were no longer Orthodox. Dressed in totally secular clothes, in some cases to an extreme because of Purim, they sang along with him, in tears.

"Usually those who have recently left religion refuse to hear such songs," says Philip, "but it was Purim and it was appropriate. After all, I used to be their singer, when they were ultra-Orthodox. They simply melted."

Finally, some video over at Vos Iz Neias ... " MBD: Zealots Slander Jewish Concerts With Fabricated Lies."

On Jewish Music Promo Style

Teruah compares two different approaches to album promo copy. Methinks he gives way too much credit to the Chasidi News approach. I don't think too many people in the frum world find those informative either. I know that I usually don't, and I know who most of the people being name-dropped are.

Of course, Chasidi News' poor Hebrew to English manglings don't help things, but even the Hebrew album previews usually contain little if any useful information. It's even worse in context, where an email features twenty or so new albums all featuring "the best of composers" and "hits".

One of these days, we just might have to do a "Best of Chasidi News" post.

Name Your Own Price

Taking a page from Radiohead, Lenny Solomon and Shlock Rock have just released their new album of original English jewish music as a "name your own price" download.

Hope this works for them!

Want to Check Out A Chassidish Simchas Beis Hashoeva or Two?

Barring a last-minute gig, I'm open tomorrow night. Anyone interested in checking out some chassidic Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations in Brooklyn tomorrow evening? If so, please be in touch.

From the mailbag...

Dovid Kerner writes:

Previously, you were kind enough to post the words to the old country classic Sukkalaya. I'm happy to report that an actual recording has been found - right in my house! Sukkalaya

May you and your readers have a Hank'in Chag Sameach.

Ron Benvenisti writes:

Happy to announce that the Lakewood Music Program I've been slaving at for the youth, with my own sweat equity has gotten offical notice. This summer the Township picked up the tab and this fall we will be doing a 3 day a week intro for keyboards at the High School and Community Center. A brand new multi-million dollar facility is being built on Cedarbridge (near the Parks & Recreation Headquarters and Blue Claws Stadium) where I hope to run a full fledged program for all levels, ages and instruments in 2010. Thanks to the incessant support of Citizen of the Year, Maestro Wilbur Wittemann of the Lakewood Jazz Ensemble, Jeff Shapiro, Director of Parks & Recreation, those on the Township Committee and so many other people of goodwill, passion and committment to music as education and leadership tool par excellence. This will be non-sectarian and free with, get this - separate entrances and two kitchens! My only snag is some personal issues and being in Virtua-Marlton Hospital with a rare liver disorder. Winning some battles in it and hope to win the war. Please daven for a refual shelaima for yours truly, play a little tune for Aharon Ben Simcha (www.soundassets.com) and I wish all of you a Gmar Tov and hope to be out of here and back home as soon as possible.

PS: I would love to see us network to do a major Hakaras HaTov benefit concert for my dear friend (and many of you to) Yosi Piamenta. Everyone has been touched by Yosi, who single-handedly changed the face of Jewish Music as we know it through passion, dedication and real Mesirat Nefesh. This started over 35 years ago and I can't think of a single artist since then who has not been influenced by this giant. Think about it. I'm a little tied up (tubed up - to be exact) right now but I think we owe it to the guy and it would be a major event. Please think about it, and if any producer types out there (all you guys know this man and what I am saying is true and that he deserves it now) can get the snowball rolling please put the sweat into it.... May we all be inscribed in the "Real" Real Book......

PT writes:

Here's one for the Poskim:

I was recording a song for a nice young fella (when did I get to be an AK?) and he used the "-nai" word instead of the "-shem" word in his lyric. He did this in the context of saying a whole tfillah (the end of "Adon Olam"). I asked him if he'd reconsider changing to "shem" to avoid controversy.

Makes me wonder about a few things. I know that non-Orthodox performers have no compunction about using the "-nai". I've heard Orthodox performers use "hamonai" instead to keep the proper sound. Is there actually a halachic issue with avoiding the "-nai" word, since it itself just means "my Lord" and is not an actual Name of G-d? If you use an entire pasuk or prayer, is it then OK?

The other issue is, if we then decide to ERASE the lyric and replace with "adoshem", is there now an issue of erasing a Holy name?? All I can say is, I guess it's a good thing Protools is NONDESTRUCTIVE!

Shloime Lichter writes:

My name is Shloime Lichter, I put up this website Keren Yitzchok Isaac for a friend of mine who passed away at the age of 45 while waiting for a Heart Transplant. Leaving behind an almanah and 10 unmarried children with no means of any financial income.

I would like to ask if you would be able to post a link or banner or a little write up on your blog in order to help us raise funds.

Or you may donate by visiting this site.

P.S. Please forward this email to all your fellow bloggers and friends who may be able to help us out.

Tizku Lemitzvohs and A Ksiva Vachasima Tovah


Thank You
Shlome Lichter
IT Support YVY
718-686-3518

10/1/09 Link Dump

Dov Bear asks: "Why are we so liberal about our liturgical music?"

Shemspeed is giving away free downloads of a couple o' tracks off of Diwon and Dugans 'Dreams in Static" release.

Chassidic singer Michoel Schnitzler has a new CD out. Here's a remake/update(if you can call it that) of the "Rabbi's Sons" classic hit "Rabos Machshavos." More road trip material.

This might come in handy for wedding guests. Is that off-key wedding singer getting on your nerves? Spare yourselves and all the other guests by tuning his vocals for him using your iPhone.

This title says it all: "Reb Abish: Today’s Music is a Cholent Pot; Many Songs Are Superficial." Naturally, none of the ones he sings. He thinks.

Over at Chasing the Fat Man: "What I really should have said..."

That's not an orchestra! Its Synthesiser Patel.

We'd Like To Apologize To Dave Mustaine

Apparently, the Neo-Nazis music critics over at Stormfront have read this post of ours and will be deleting your music/videos because they don't support Jews.

One anti-Semite music critic writes:

Having not previously know that, say bye to the Megadeth videos, and my Ipod will say goodbye to their songs. I don't promote or support jews. As a matter of fact, I get in trouble at work a lot because of my anti-jewish beliefs. Like I told my boss, I was looking for a job when I got here, and I'll be looking for one when I leave.

Dave, although you might consider yourself a Christian, the racists Jew-lovers at Stormfront now know the truth. We apologize for the inconvenience. Shana tova!

Teruah Teshuvah

Teruah is doing teshuva!

I too have been feeling guilty about the number of CD reviews I have not yet gotten to. I have been working on the stack lately in fits and starts, and am hoping to have it done soon. I have listened to all of these and pretty much know what I want to say, just need to make the time to write it all down.

Here's my current review stack:

Prodezra - Beats L'shem Shomayim
Kol Noar Boys Choir
Later Prophets - Ha'Orot
Klezmerfest - Life of the Party
Susan McKeown & Lorin Sklamberg - Saints & Tzadiks
Gershon Veroba - Second Impressions
Yiddishe Cup - Klezmer Guy
Ben Epstien - Shirei HaLevi'im

Free Pitom Download

The Village Voice NY Music Blog has posted a short interview with Pitom bandleader Yoshie Fruchter. You can also download a free track off of their debut record.

Fighting back...

against Swedish anti-Semitism.

An Autumn Night in New York

Walking down a NYC street near midnight...

A panhandler calls out from the steps of Bnai Jeshurun: "Brother, can you spare some change?"

We stop and start feeling for some change.

"Melody Maker in Bb", he says. "A lady gave me a Melody Maker in Bb. Would you like to hear it?"

"Sure," we say, handing him a dollar.

He improvises a sad bluesy melody and then takes the dollar.

"Thank you!"

No, thank you.

From the mailbag...

E. comments on the previous post:

If the new people aren't mechadeish anything, then why does MBD need to have Aaron Razel involved in the production of his "new" album?

BTW, It is ironic that a site like Matzav which infringes on people's copyrights daily is preaching about copyrights...

Indeed!

J. Gondek writes:

Dear Hasidic Musician,

In your blog I read the following:

"Given the interest in exotic instruments, I suppose this was inevitable. Note: According to Jewish tradition, a synthetic shofar is not acceptable for religious use."

I'm not arguing the validity or accuracy of your statement but am curious if you can point me to a Talmud citation that discusses prohibition of synthetic shofar in religious ceremonies.

The Mishna in Rosh Hashana specifies the criterion for a shofar. One of them is that it needs to be natural, and from a ram or goat, but not from a cow. The Talmud in Rosh Hashana (27a) addresses the case of a gold-plated shofar and concludes that if the part where the mouth rests is also covered, so that the mouth doesn’t touch the horn itself, then one has not fulfilled the mitzvah.

It’s clear from these texts that the shofar has to be a natural horn and that a synthetic reproduction would not be acceptable.

More CD Rental Embarrassment

CD rentals are back!

I've commented on this in the past. In my opinion, this approach is a chilul Hashem.

I'll also point out that according to the Rabbi who "conceived" this idea, the pictured CD liner interior would not suffice.

This is not legally or halachically binding. The proposal just makes religious Jews look bad.

It's time to accept intellectual property laws, as Rav Elyashiv and Rav Ovadya Yosef have.

Oh, and while we're on the subject, someone needs to send MBD some CD's. He's clearly not up to date on Jewish music.

9/5/09 Link Dump

Here's a great Wedding Entrance! And here's the divorce.

"The Minutes Go Like Hours When You Sing."

This ain't bluegrass. Despite the misleading title, it's fun. I want these guys in the studio for my next project.

Here's a Jewschool discussion on wedding Shtick.

Violinist Jake Shulman-Ment's new CD, A Redele, is out! Check it out!

Andy Derrick writes about Professionals and Charity Work. What's your take?

The KlezKanada 2009 blog is here. I wish it had been frequently updated. Blogging these events is a great concept and I hope future KlezKamp and KlezKanada blogs will have more content. It's a great marketing opportunity to attract future attendees. And I know some bloggers who could/would be happy to help out. Hey, how about having a J-music bloggers panel at one of these?

Finally, here's a nice version of "Every Breath You Take."

Making the Job Harder

I recently sat through a prep meeting for a wedding for which I'd been hired by the band owner who booked the job as a sub-leader. The participants at the meeting were the band owner/musician, myself (as the sub-leader) and the bride and groom. Throughout the meeting, I sat there in silent horror as I watched the band-owner say one thing after another all with the end result of a) making the job much harder and b) making themselves look incompetent.

First a little about the job...

This was a standard frum MO wedding. The client booked a five piece simcha/pop band consisting of Keys/drums/guitar/woodwinds/violin. The specific requests prior to this meeting, other than the usual simcha repertoire were:
some light classical music during dinner (hence the violin), some Israeli folk songs at some point, and a few American and Israeli pop/rock songs at the end of the event. All in all, a pretty straightforward affair.

Then we had the prep meeting.

Here's what the band owner did wrong, in my opinion...

1) The band leader kept pushing the client to make decisions about music for parts of the wedding at which they had no preference, i.e. the background music at the cocktails, opening the ballroom after the chupa, etc. We talked through the entire affair at the beginning of the meeting. The client had no specific programming requests for these times, and left it to our discretion, as to what to play.

Towards the end of the meeting, the band owner revisited each of those times, and essentially made the client feel they had to choose specific music/musical genres. So, the client made requests. My impression was that these were not specifically what they wanted to hear, just one of several possibilities that would have worked for them. Since they were being pressured to choose, they did. These "requests" will make the job more complicated, for no good reason. For example, they talked the client into having only classical music during the cocktail hour. That's fine, if that's what the client had wanted. But, they really didn't care if we played light Israeli, some Bossa Novas and standards, etc. A five-piece pop band with drums and electric guitar is not exactly the best choice of ensemble for an hour plus of classical music. We can do it, but we'll be a pop band playing classical music, which I'm certain is not the sound in the bride's head when she imagines classical music at her wedding.

Plus, now someone has to bring the sheet music for this. Guess whose job that is!

2) Kept bringing up the suggestion that we could/should include some contemporary Israeli pop in the first dance set. Since the client didn't want it there, and we'd already, in talking through the program, placed it in the 2nd dance, it was a pointless suggestion. Repeating it many times showed that they a) don't understand the dance needs at a contemporary simcha, and b) weren't listening to the client.

3) During the meeting, the client inquired about the possibility of adding a harpist to play in the lobby as guests were entering, and wanted a quote. So, this musician helpfully told the client that they'd once gotten a harpist to play a cocktail hour/ceremony for $200. Not cool. Also, no chance that was happening again. But, it served to make a fair price quote for said harpist seem excessively high.

I could go on...

Definitions

OT
Musician's definition: Overtime.
Chareidi definition: A likely career choice for women.

PT
Musician's definition: ProTools.
Chareidi definition: The other likely career choice for BY graduates who have not gone into chinuch or OT

Disco
Musician's definition: Cheesy '70's dance music.
Chareidi definition: The latest dance hit by Shwekey.

Jewish Music Print Advertising

Over the years, I've had quite a few conversations with various band owners about print advertising for the Jewish market. I've also experimented with some myself.

In my opinion, and this has been confirmed to me by many I've spoken to who have tried it, print advertising in various local Jewish media doesn't pay. The media are overpriced relative to the benefits, and don't result in increased work, unless you're willing to charge the lowest price.

Note: I'm not talking about a short specific campaign involving articles, free CD's, etc, just a paid listing/ad in the music services section of a newspaper/magazine.

In my own experience, an ad I ran years ago in one paper brought in two types of inquiries...

1) Calls from the paper's competitors trying to sell me ads in their papers.

2) Calls from people who were calling everyone listed in the section and making their decision based solely on price. Since there are other bands advertising in these sections, who have no problem booking a job at below scale, and then sending kids or unqualified musicians out to play it, there is simply no way I could/would compete on price. My expenses are higher because I insist on hiring good musicians, which costs more.

An ad in another publication got me a junk mail subscription. I'm still receiving mail from those folks.

The only benefit some advertisers I spoke to have found, is that in some cases, if people were looking for them specifically, they might find their phone number in one of these papers. That said, if these people were looking for their number and couldn't find it in the paper, they'd still be able to find it, so they didn't see too much benefit in that either.

Obviously, the chance of booking a job off an ad exists, and that's why some still advertise. (There are also some bands who advertise, but don't pay their bills, so it doesn't cost them to do so. This is unethical, of course.) In my opinion though, the price of Jewish advertising in general, and simcha services ads in particular are significantly overpriced.

A few years ago, one of the popular Jewish websites contacted me to try and sell an ad. Their price was absurd. Moreso were their stats. Being new at this, their salesman gave me information he probably shouldn't have. At the time, this website was claiming 40,000-60,000 hits a day. Yet, when I asked for the number of hits to their simcha directory the number of hits was twelve. That is before subdividing those hits into individual categories like music, flowers, makeup, catering halls etc. Needless to say, I told him their rates were quite unreasonable.

I did make a counter-offer which I've since made to a number of other J-media salespeople. That offer? If they'll run a free ad for a short time period, and I book even one gig off it, I'd buy an ad. They've all turned it down. I think these people know that their ads don't work well enough and that's why they won't do it. It's simple really. If an ad venue was productive, I'd obviously pay to keep it. Their unwillingness to stand behind their product is telling.

There is another issue with much of the J-media advertising as well and that is timeliness.

For example, one New-Jersey based J-ad publication, The Network, mailed their Purim issue out late this year and last. The result, it arrived after Purim. This made the color front page ad for Mishloach Manos baskets as well as the various other Purim-related ads inside irrelevant. I'd be pleasantly surprised to hear that they had contacted these advertisers to offer refunds, but I haven't heard that they have, even to the tzedaka with its full page color ad soliciting Matanos L'evyonim.

If anyone has any J-music advertising stories to share, please send 'em on in.

Breaking Kabbalistic News!

Here's a Madonna update!

It's Giveaway Friday - Free Stuff for Ya'll

Over at Amazon.com, theyr'e giving away free World Music sampler downloads!

There's a JDub sampler and an Israeli music sampler as well as lots more interesting music. And, the price is right.

If you have an iLok or any Line 6 DAW interfaces, you can get a free license for their amp modeling plug-in, POD Farm Once again, the price is right.

Enjoy!

New Intellectual Property Psak

Here's some good news for people who compose music for the chareidi market. I wonder if ACUM will pro-rate a major percentage of the fees towards those composers.

At any rate, this is big, as both Rav Elyashiv and Rav Ovadya Yosef have endorsed the idea that Dina D'malchusa Dina applies to intellectual property. This is the approach that I have been suggesting for years and it logically extends to other areas of music/intellectual property rights like downloading. It represents a direct rejection of Rabbi Dovid Cohen's allowing people to download/copy songs/sell hard drives full of music without payment to the rights holders.

If the JM industry is smart, they will, as I have been suggesting for years, invest in publicizing this psak and its implications.

More Peeps

The Choirmaster

This peep comes over, flashes his pitch pipe, and says: "Don't comp us under the chupa. It won't work." He also says "There are four of us and only one of us can sing on key." He's not wrong.

The Prissy Caterer

This guy's a real class act. We're playing a six hour affair at which the band was supposed to be getting dinner. Due to some scheduling mishaps, the party is running late, and the caterer decides to make up the time by shortening the time alloted for dinner, and having us start the second dance set after only a short break. Naturally, he refuses to feed the band until after all of the guests are fed. Also, naturally, that's the point at which he already wants us to start the next set.[Brief digression: This situation, where the caterer refuses to feed the band before all the guests are served, comes up frequently. It is inconsiderate, because it ensures that the band will not have time to eat (unless there are speeches.)] At any rate, we don't get meals, despite having been promised them. After this dance set, we take a short break for dessert. We have a bunch of dance requests left to play, and are supposed to start up again in five minutes and play through the end of the gig. The folks in the kitchen again refuse to feed us "until after the guests have all been served dessert." Nice! At this point, the bride asks me if we've eaten. So I tell her we haven't. Long story short, she takes me in to the kitchen and informs the folks there that they need to feed the band now.

Two minutes later, the caterer, who was not in the kitchen when the bride came in, comes over to me and says in a peeved and condescending tone: "Did you really go over to the bride and ask for food?" Um, you don't get to be upset about looking bad in front of the client if it's your own fault. Even if meals hadn't been promised, there's really no reason for the 'tude.

From the mailbag...

Michael Fish sends in a peever.

Recently did a gig and the band was really in a groove by the 3rd song of second set when all of a sudden this older ‘gentleman’ came storming up to the band screaming at the keyboard player who was leading to play somthing yeshivish. He startled the musician so , that mid song he just waved off the band and started playing yomim.

Naftali forwards a link to a "Pete Sokolow Interview." I'm pretty sure I've linked this years ago, but Pete's a legend, so it's worth another link.

Steve Cohen writes:

When I read your story about singers who don’t know the words, it reminded me of a great club-date joke:

"A vocalist hired a piano player to accompany her at an audition for a night-club job. After listening to a couple of songs, the owner said, "Can you sing 'When Sunny Gets Blue?' It's my favorite song. If you can sing it, you're hired." The singer whispered to the piano player, "I don't know it all the way through." The piano player said, "I know it. Go ahead and start, and I'll prompt you." Reluctantly, she began: "When Sunny Gets Blue . . ." She looked at the piano player for help. He whispered confidently, "B-flat minor nine..."

From the mailbag...

Naftali writes:

My new pet peeve:

Singers that don't know the words. A singer is hired to do a gig with you; you go into a fairly popular song, and they whisper to you "I don't know the words" or "I'm not comfortable singing that". Mr. Singer, your ONLY job is to KNOW THE WORDS TO SONGS! You have nothing to shlep, you arrive 1 minute before (or after) start time and you only need to KNOW THE WORDS to songs! Do your research.

This arrived in my inbox just as I returned attending a concert. (I wasn’t playing.) At that performance, the lead vocalists screwed up the following lyrics:
1) Vena Al Tatzrichenu
2) Racheim

Both of those texts are from bentching, something they ought to be familiar with. Amazing!

Psachya writes:

Check this out: We Will Survive!

BTW, at about 3:30 of the clip, I could've sworn I saw a choson and kallah about to come in. :)

Igudsman and Joo rock! I've posted some of their other stuff in the past.

Avremi G. writes

‘This peep shows up with the score to an original composition they've written in honor of the bride and groom. Said musical masterpiece has been notated in Finale in the worst possibly way.’

I’m sure Sibelius is capable of equally atrocious output.

It's possible. In this particular case, the "composer" happened to have used Finale.

Daybay writes:

NYC based Jewish musician,

I read the following in The Yated (July 17, 2009 edition) in a column by Yossi Kamiel entitled Binni Blitz and the Bored Businessman, and thought you might was to address it. In his column he has one of his fictional characters say,

"My father asked a shailah and the rov told him that we're not allowed to listen to them (acapella cds) during Sefirah or the Three Weeks either. He said that there is no difference between them and regular music tapes. So even though we miss listening to these songs and albums, still, no frum Yid would even think of doing something that is not allowed in halacha."

Thank you,

A frum Yid who might think of doing something that is not allowed in halacha, but, b'H, would never do something that is not allowed by halacha.

Even Rabbi Belsky allows listening to certain kinds of acapella recordings during sefirah. So, this characterization (I assume it’s fiction) is inaccurate, even according to those who prohibit some acapella recordings during sefirah.

It’s also against common sense.

I posted his psakim on this and my comments on them here.

United Breaks Guitars - Song 2

Revenge is sweet!

Hot Weather is Bringing Out Da Peeps

Some more peeps for y'all...

"Weed Guy"

This peep, who is not African or African-anything, shows up to an Orthodox wedding with a dashiki over his long hair, a T-shirt, shorts, and Birkenstocks. Observing him over the course of the event, we notice that he keeps making loud puffing exhalations, as though he's taking a bong hit. Then, he comes and stands next to us, and we get a closer look/sniff. Turns out, his lungs are so full of weed, that despite not having toked in hours, he can give himself a contact high just by holding his breath for a few seconds and then exhaling. Pass the Doritos, man!

"Mr. Eat Over The Keyboard"
This peep helps himself to food from the buffet, and then proceeds to stand directly in font of the band, holding his plate over the keyboard as he eats. Considerate. At least he didn't get any Lo Mein on the keys this time.

"Rabbi Rush"
No relation to the conservative talk show host. This peep is in a hurry. No reason why. He just is. So, the wedding starts at 6, he has them do the badekin at 6:10 and starts the chupa at 6:12. Did we mention he's also coordinating the schedule for the dinner which is also taking place in his shul. Did you know you can do an entire Ortho-Chasidic wedding in 2 hours? Rabbi Rush thinks you can.

"Full-Time Clown"
It is common for people to dress up at affairs as a shtick, dancing for a few minutes in a costume of one sort or another. This isn't good enough for the full-time clown, though. This friend of the bride shows up to the ceremony in full clown outfit --suit, wig, funny shoes, and face paint -- and spends the entire affair in character.

"The Composer"
This peep shows up with the score to an original composition they've written in honor of the bride and groom. Said musical masterpiece has been notated in Finale in the worst possibly way. Mathematically it all works out, but visually it's a mess. For example, instead of a dotted quarter note, you might have a dotted eight note tied to three sixteenth notes in a row tied to each other. Imagine an entire page or two of this. Ah, the beauty of HyperScribe aka why trained music copyists are not out of work just yet.

Oh Deer!, Dear! Giraffe!

Parshablog links to yet another bizarre Jewish music article by a Rabbi who is simply making stuff up. Let's just say that his position demonstrates a lack of awareness of dance styles and practices both in and out of the frum community.

From the mailbag...

The Klezmer Shack's Ari Davidow writes:

Shalom Rav Dm,
I wrote a few words about the koren siddur on the Hebrew type blog http://www.ivritype.com/hebrew/ most of which are there just to point you to a link to a wonderful article in tablet mag--How Eliyahu Koren used typography to encourage a new way to pray (http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/8297/prayer-type/) by Joshua J. Friedman.

It is worth noting that although it has been common to use the dueling languages approach to including Hebrew and English (where the Hebrew is placed to the extreme right; English to the left, so that the eye has to jump the entire width of the spread to go from one starting point on the same line to the other), the calligraphers and early typographers who created the great polyglot siddurim of the Middle Ages were quite aware that when you want the eye to go back and forth between languages, it is critical that the distance between them be as short as possible--that Hebrew and Latin share a common spine (as is the case with the Koren siddur).

But layout depends on purpose. If you have a safe assumption that the readers will use either one language or the other, keeping them far apart (the dueling languages position) is good. Producing two separate books would be even better! More on the Hebrew type blog, of course. (And even more when I finish redoing the blog so that it is more usable. Sorry about that.)

Ari Davidow
Hebrew typesetter, extraordinaire

I seem to have gotten blog smicha lately from various correspondents. Was it the Luft series?

Sneak Attack Media's Miles Grosovsky emails some PR about SAM client, Matisyahu. It included the following photo. Jewish heroin chic. Just what we wuz missing.

Here's a link to a video of the single he's promoting: Matisyahu: One Day.

Hallelujah, It's A New Bo'ee Kallah...

... by Ohad!. Personally,I prefer Achinoam Nini's version.

The Koren Siddur on Yedid Nefesh

I recently received the new Koren Siddur with Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks' translation. This is a beautiful siddur. If you're looking for a nice English translation of the traditional siddur, this one is well worth checking out. It is far superior to the popular Artscroll Siddur. Rabbi Sacks' prose is a much more enjoyable and meaningful read.

Two interesting things about this siddur:

1) The Hebrew pages are on the left with the English translations on the right hand pages. This unconventional approach --usually its the reverse -- makes sense because you start reading in the center, no matter which language you're reading. This makes it easier to flow from one to the other. Additionally, it means that if you usually daven from the Hebrew, there's a shift in the direction you're looking which may affect right-brain left-brain cognition and therefore, at least in the short term, change your kavannah experience. More on that concept here.

2) The version of "Yedid Nefesh" Koren chose to use is based on the original handwritten manuscript by the author, Safed kabalist Rabbi Elazar Azikri (1533-1600). The changes make the poem even more beautiful, and some of the seemingly difficult to translate in context words become clear. Of course, this is not the way Jewish communities sing the words, but perhaps people will start to use this version. Just beautiful!

Why I Cancelled Bridezilla Today!

Today, for the first time ever in my career, I cancelled on a client.

The back story: A few weeks ago, I was hired to play music for a wedding ceremony tomorrow afternoon. The father-of-the bride and I reached an oral agreement and he then put his daughter in touch to discuss the specifics of the event.

The bride called me a few hours later. In our initial conversation, she told me that she had a compilation CD with some modern Israeli songs she really liked, and I told her I'd be happy to transcribe/play any of them she wanted. She promised to email the artists/song titles when she got home, and drop off the CD if I needed it.

Then, nothing. No phone calls or emails. After several days of this, I left a message on her cell asking her to call me/email the information. No response.

Finally, today, the day before her afternoon wedding --I do have an evening gig as well tomorrow-- she answered the phone when I called and proceeded to make lame excuses about why she hadn't been in touch; saying that since it's so close to the gig, maybe she should just play CD's instead, because I don't know the songs she wants. Since she's never ID'd them, I can't say this for certain, but based on her description of the compilation CD she liked, I'd say that there's an 80% chance I know those songs, a 95% chance I have the sheet music for them, and a 100% chance I could have played them had she gotten me the CD even a day or two ago.

Based on comments she made in our conversation, my impression is that this was purely anti-Orthodox bias. (Her dad is Orthodox. She isn't.) She seemed to feel that an Orthodox musician would be incapable of playing an instrumental version of an Israeli pop song. Remember, we're not talking vocals here, where there could be an issue of accent, etc.

At that point, after listening to several rude comments, I called her on her inconsiderate behavior, read her the set list of Israeli pop tunes I'm playing at tomorrow evenings affair, told her I would no longer be available to play her affair, and that she should use her CD's. I also wished her the best of luck in her marriage, and advised her that I hope she treats the other vendors more appropriately.

It's amazing what some people think they can get away with. If she didn't want me to play her affair, she had plenty of opportunity to be honest about her concerns early on. Passive aggressive behavior like this is grossly unfair to the musician, who may have turned down other work for the slot and made plans around their performance schedule and it's just not "mentchlikh."

That's Not Just Rock, It's Jerusalem Stone

Israelity reports: "Legendary Rock Bassist Chooses Jerusalem Stone."

Exactly How Out of Touch Is Agudas Yisroel? Updated 3x

This much!

The mind boggles! The recent scandals in the frum community do warrant introspection and even an emerdzshency asifeh. However, choosing Rabbi Avremel Schorr, one of the rabbis behind the international chilul Hashem that was the Lipa concert ban, to be the public face of propriety here smacks of tone-deafness at best and hypocrisy at worst. For shame!

UPDATE: And if you thought they couldn't make it any worse...

A writes:

Seeing just a few words about last night's Agudah "asifa", I now rest my case. Everything I have complained about for years, about how Agudah is an enabler by restraining criticism and PR about violators and honoring ex-cons, has been proven true in one fell swoop. Schorr, the Spinker Rebbe, and Brafman on a single bill? Why did they diss Kolko?

Can you even imagine how they would have crowed had YU invited Madoff, Tendler & Boesky to chair an event?

The unmitigated chutzpa of these "shaina yidden" who sit in their shteebels on mizrach with ex-cons, who have the first-class dining room at the Agudah convention, stroking their paunches with self-satifaction while they look down at the "amcha" that actually live Torah lives while they act frum but act like the proverbial "tzaddik in peltz" not dealing with the real world.

For several years now there has been an effort to stop the illegal posting of ads on lightposts, especially since the great majority of violators were Frum organizations.

To spread the word on the very important Agudah meeting combatting illegal behavior, guess where they posted the ads?

Yep.

You just can't make this stuff up.

A Yeshiva World report and audio of the speeches is here.

UPDATE 2:

The Spinka Rebbe apologized publicly, Nathaniel Popper reports for the Forward's Bintel Blog. he writes:

The most surprising moment of the night came at the very beginning, when the Grand Rabbi of the Spinka sect, Naftali Tzi Weisz, at right, took the stage for an unscheduled appearance. Weisz was arrested in a separate money-laundering case in 2007, and just last week he pleaded guilty, reportedly accepting a jail term. Before heading off to serve that term, Weisz delivered an obviously emotional mea culpa for his wrong-doings, first in Yiddish and then in awkwardly translated English.

“Unfortunately we have to admit in public that things happened that were not supposed to happen,” Weisz told the men in attendance (women were not invited to the forum). “We must have to express our wish that these matters will never happen — we have to commit that in the future this will never happen again.”

Weisz spoke in great detail about the compliance program that the Spinka board has entered with the government and he said, “Our community, baruch hashem, is not lacking in smart experienced lawyers and accountants that are willing to teach the tzibur [community], how to conduct their communal affairs in a manner that is in compliance with the law in all respects.”

UPDATE 3:

I've checked out the video of the Spinka Rebbe's speech and I'm on the fence about this one. I'm leaning towards Tzig's characterization of it. I'm not sure there was a point.

In following up, I've seen people raise two other issues that are relevant to this discussion. These are: 1) the choice of venue and 2) one of the methods for publicizing the event.

With regard to the venue, there is an ongoing battle between the Visnitz Yeshivah's management and the neighbors. (For more on this, see here, for example.) In my opinion, Agudah choose poorly in this regard. Remember, the event took place during the Nine Days, when there are no weddings in the community. There was no shortage of other venue options. The message sent, presumably inadvertently, is unfortunate and undermined the theme of the asifah.

With regard to the illegal posting of flyers on streetlamps... I've commented in the past on this and it's just wrong. Again, the message sent is that laws do not need to be obeyed, which again undermined the ideas the asifah was meant to convey.

In short, Agudah took a worthwhile concept, and through poor handling, turned it into a caricature. For an organization that claims to be politically savvy, this was a huge misjudgment and yet another self-inflicted black-eye.

What Is "Reasonable"?

So the Belz Chasidim have announced new takanos restricting wedding expenditures. I like this one:

For instance, the parents of the groom are instructed to choose between a bracelet and a mixer as a gift for the bride during the engagement period.

This part is troubling, though.

Luckily, the new plan includes not only restrictions, but also some benefits. The document's authors have taken a number of steps to help families lower the cost of the wedding by getting entertainers, photographers and wedding bands to agree to charging reasonable prices for their services.

What is a reasonable price? How is that different from market rates?

A Musician's Revenge

United Breaks Guitars! Awesome!

Update:
Art inspires art. Here's "United Breaks Guitars - Northwest Breaks Dulcimers."

From the mailbag...

E. forwards a link to "Michael Jackson sings "Bei Mir Bist Du Shein" with the Jackson 5 and Carol Burnett.

He also emails a link to Gershon Veroba's blog post, "Michael Jackson and us..." Worth reading.

Finally, Bobo Bubalinsky writes:

Apparently I live a sheltered life, having never heard a Disco Hora.  So I did what any modern person does and googled it.  Found many an amusing clip YouTube - Jewish Drumming demo #3 Disco Hora variations so thanks for enlivening my life.

I was however well aware that a large portion of the early NY Punk scene were jews.  Watch End Of The Century http://www.endofthecentury.com/  the Ramones biopic. All not so nice jewish boys from queens.  

Like Lenny Kaye I also have kept that cantorial sound somewhere in my world.  For most of the past 25 years I have been involved in instrumental music, and a few years ago I began adding Klezmer tunes to our sets (but in a n almost Ska like way).  We have recently recorded a song written by my great grandfather Israel Isaac Axelrod/Shamfrof/Shaw "Oif Der Fater" http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/162595 .  He wrote it at the end of the 19th century, or the very beginning of the 20th, and I changed it a bit.  Give it a spin if you care to.

That last link doesn't work, but you can hear the song in the player on the right hand side of Bobo's Blog.

7/13/09 Link Dump

Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg's latest Nigun project album is out. Titled Tsuker-Zis, it replaces Uri Caine/Rob Schwimmer's piano with Oud/Guitar/and Indian drums.

Check it out here:


Here's a YouTube clip that gives a good "on the bandstand" perspective of what a musican on the Brookly JM circuit might be sitting next to.

While we're on YouTube, check out the middle of this clip for a Lipa Schmeltzer Yiddish rap badkhones.

Vos Iz neais posts" Acapella Music and the Three Weeks."

Tzig takes on Yehuda Green. He's very wrong about Rabbi Citron.

Here's a J-Post article "Eliyahu: Prefer Jail Over Women Singing."

Finaly, the Jewish Music Report reviews Yisroel Srully Williger's "The Rebbe's Nigun."

This part is odd:

My first reaction after listening to The Rebbe’s Nigun was to pull out my copy of Hakadosh Baruch Hu… Chesed and give a listen. A few of the songs on that CD really blew me away. Pinky Weber’s Yashov is just gorgeous. Williger’s kids join him on Neiros Shabbos. Wow! Where has he been hiding those kids? I would have loved to hear even more of the Williger boys. And Niggun Nevo? It’s worth buying Hakadosh Baruch Hu…Chesed for this song alone. All these years we thought Srully Williger’s trademark song would be Hu Klal, but maybe not. The only fault I can find with this Shlomo Katz composition is that it inspired too many singers to try to come up with a signature niggun of their own. With the possible exception of Eitan Katz’s The Dmin Niggun, none have managed to even come close to emulating Williger’s success with Niggun Nevo.

The author gives Williger credit for Niggun Nevo, which was a dance hit before Williger released the album. The inclusion of that song on that disc is a classic example of a Yeshivish singer jumping on the bandwagon (ouch) of a song that's already a hit on the NCSY MO circuit and is already making inroads into the black hat circuit, and quickly releasing a version of it.

In other words, Williger had nothing to do with the song becoming popular. He chose it because it was one of the new hits on their way in at the time of the album's release.

Over at JMR, a reader pointed out to the review author that the song was written and being publicly performed by Shlomo Katz, and the author demonstrates exactly the lack of knowledge that some artists count on when they pull this sort of unauthorized cover/bandwagon jump. As well, obviously, there is no accounting for taste, and "Kol Isha" is entitled to her opinion that the Williger version took a good song and "blew it out of the water," but personally, I think his cover was lame, and did not do the song justice. I'm also reliably informed that the use of that song was unauthorized and that no royalties have been paid to Shlomo, which is simply not right.

Klezmer Dollars

I've been thinking that there needs to be a term to describe the difference between a low-paying gig that is desirable and one that is not.

In other words, I've been looking for a way to describe the difference in pay necessary to tempt me to accept, for example, a six hour loud Chassidic disco gig with a "banger" drummer and shred guitarist from a local "Bands R' Us" office vs. an acoustic klez gig, or a creative collaboration that is four hours away by car. Typically, I'm more willing to be accommodating in the latter scenario, when the pay is on the low side, compared to the former.

The term I'd use to describe this is "Klezmer Dollars." Think of it as being similar to dog years. Klezmer dollars are worth more than US dollars. So, an appealing gig, say playing with some world-class klezmorim, for instance, although it might not pay the same as hauling a sound system/sub-leading Hassidisco at "Ateres Whatever", would still be comparable, because the pay is effectively equal.

This concept doesn't negate the need for musicians to maximize income, so I wouldn't turn down a Hassidisco gig on the off chance that I'd pick up one of equivalent pay in klezmer dollars. Obviously, I do have to make a living. It does explain why some offers that might not be appealing on a purely financial level, nevertheless are.

The artist buildings in Hell's Kitchen effectively do honor klezmer dollars, BTW, with rent being a percentage of income. I know quite a few musicians who live there. If only I could convince my mortgage holder to accept payment in klezmer dollars!

Going off the Deep End

This link gets its own post. Beis Yakov of Monsey, a frum girls high school, has now banned dancing from it's annual production on tznius grounds.

This is simply nuts! I hope the community expresses its outrage directly to the school. These girls have so few outlets as it is! It's not like they didn't have all sorts of rules/restrictions on the dance movements/music at the annual production before this latest idiocy. Remember, we're talking about a "for women only" performance. This is not Judaism!

7/1/09 link Dump

Vos Iz Neias profiles frum Latin singer Miriam Sandler.

Hirhurim is discussing Torah as music.

Vocal superstar Jo Amar, has died. Baruch Dayan Emet!

Jewish Music Report reviews Shloime Kaufman's "Avodas Tzedakah."

Jewschool posts a Cuban Jewish Jazz davening.

Band-o-matic

Anon writes:

I had this experience when I was a guest at a wedding last week. I asked the Chosson before the wedding if he has the music taken care of and he said that his friend 'has a band'. At the wedding, I saw familiar musicians (Ron Bertolett, Mike Koon, etc) but I saw a band name I've never heard before. I realized that we can use a lot more bands out there, so I decided with the economy in the shape thats its in, i'm coming out with a new product:

"My Friend Has a Band" kit

Includes:

1-Full color music stands and business cards with your original band name
2-7 Music books by Avremi G
3-A phone book with 200 musicians's contact info (we'll even throw in Mordechai Ben David's cell phone #- so you can say "I work with MBD")
4-all inclusive guide with topics covering marketing to friends and guys in your Yeshiva ("yes, we have the same musicians as Neginah and Neshoma but we charge much less") and much more!

This has been an ongoing issue for years. Usually, these guys book one or two moderately successful gigs (meaning they got through them without any severe trainwrecks). Then, they spectacularly crash and burn either when the client has specific musical needs other than Shwekey, or on a moderately busy day, when Psachya, Mike Coon, et al, aren't available.

From the mailbag...

Psachya writes:

One thing I've learned over the years as a bandleader is that, when it comes to band prep, everything is relative. Two examples:

On a recent gig, the prep said that the choson wanted a "long first dance set". The caterer wanted to give me 15 minutes. I negotiated him up to 25 minutes. In the more yeshivish weddings, 25 minutes is "just getting warmed up" - I hoped the choson (who is a friend of mine) wouldn't be annoyed at the short length of the set.

Sure enough, after the set, the choson came up to the bandstand. "The music is great," he said, "but try to keep the next dance set shorter. The dancing went on forever!"

Go know.

The following night (a yeshivish wedding), the prep included requests for (count 'em) 13 hora/disco-type tunes. Followed by the statement, "Please don't overdo the horas." (!!)

What can I say? Everything's relative.

Shloime Kaufman emails about his new release to raise funds for A T.I.M.E. (an organization helping couples with infertility issues.):

Shloime Kaufman's Avodos Tzedakah album is in all Judiaca stores or the CD is available for download on MostlyMusic.com, and features Dovid Gabay, Baruch Levine, Abie Rotenberg, Michoel Pruzansky, A.K.A. Pella, Sholom Jacobs and contains songs composed by Yitzy Waldner and Baruch Levine. The CD is presented by and PROCEEDS WILL GO TO BENEFIT A T.I.M.E., which is the premier, internationally acclaimed organization that offers advocacy, education, guidance, research and support through our many programs to Jewish men, women, and couples struggling with reproductive health and infertility.

You can hear audio clips and buy the album here.

Steven I. Weiss emails:

Jewish Punk Rockers. I thought you might enjoy some of what's said in this week's newscast.
There's a lot more in the broadcast version, though we'll be posting some additional clips on the Web soon.

Zal Schreiber writes:

THAT said….I know the gist of what was said here was perhaps a bit sarcastic in tone (at least, at times), but I think the comment the Xmas Music is Avoda Zarra needs to be mitigated a bit.

My Rov knows music, world philosophy, real Kabbalistic zaachen, and about the waltz….and has his favorite Classical Music composers (Sibelius is his favorite, I believe) , and I asked him about music (I have some relationship with that being a Levi from both my parents, a”h, growing up with Chazzanis and Presley, and classical music, playing in wedding and, ahem, other bands..and then working for a/thee major secular music corporation in the world for 16 years…..)

So I asked my Rov about music, and he said, MAYBE Handel and his Messiah are not to be listened to, otherwise, I don’t think popular Xmas music is really something to be stoned for…for listening to, and is (real) Avoda Zarra. (Church hymns for JC MIGHT be a no-no….)

And he also said that Waltz music has roots in things we shouldn’t really speak about in public, BUT, because we really don’t know about those particulars and because it’s a way bygone issue, that we’ve embraced it in Jewish music (and shouldn’t worry). Otherwise, we would toss out Shlichey Tzibur on a regular basis.

PS. You should take Dovid Kerner’s music, seriously, folks, as he composes and records it l’Shaim Shamayim. He’s a man with a(n important) message, and he puts it to song.
In the dangerous world we live in, it’s his own way of letting other to know to take heed. For the sake of Klal Yisrael.

Greg Wall forwards a link to a J-Post writeup of Pioneers for a Cure.

Peeps!

"The Modzits Fan"
Don't ever make the mistake of playing a Modzitzer melody when this peep is at the gig. We made that mistake recently, playing three such tunes. Sure enough, he was drawn to the bandstand, like a moth to a flame, wanting to talk Modzitzer nigunnim. Since we couldn't talk right then, he waited until the end of the affair, hung around while we packed up, and then held us up after we'd loaded our car, sharing his B.Z. Shenker impersonations (spot on), thoughts on various Modzitzer melodies, digressions into the attributes of various well-known cantors (alive and dead), and more. Oy!

"The Greedy Cheapskate"
A while back we met the "Renegotiator" (here and here.) This peep puts 'em to shame. Or should that be, this peep has no shame. The "Greedy Cheapskate" hires us for a morning Bat Mitzvah. Tells us it'll be for two to two and a half hours.

The Friday before the Sunday gig, he calls and says it probably won't go over, but if it does need to go fifteen minutes over, would that be OK. Figuring we might as well be nice, since we've charged him for the slot, and have three hours between gigs anyway, we tell him we'll do it at no additional charge. A nice gesture, we thought. This character, though, saw it as an opening to renegotiate. After all, if we're willing to play two hours and forty five minutes for that fee, why should he pay the same amount for only two and a half hours. No class! Naturally, this peep tries to short us forty dollars at the end of the gig too.

"Mr. I'll Never Hire You For My Wedding"
This fine fellow (it's always a guy) is a friend of someone at the wedding who can sing. Allegedly. He comes over all night long, demanding that we let his friend sing one more song. Note: He's not just asking to give his friend the mic during a dance set. He wants his friend to be given a showcase, singing a featured song, while all assembled watch and take in his awesomely incredible vocal talents. The friend wouldn't mind said showcase, but would never push for it this aggressively and rudely. Naturally, we refuse. After all, he's sung one song at the family's request. And, much as this peep wants this to happen, there is a wedding going on, we've got dance sets to play, etc, so we decline. Multiple times. Before, after, and during the dance sets. The kicker. At the end of the gig, "Mr. I'll Never Hire You For My Wedding" comes over and says: "I'll never hire you for my wedding." Given his personality, that's not exactly an unwanted outcome. Who says sechar mitzva behai alma leka?

From the mailbag...

Aryeh comments on the Rabbi Wolfson article:

It's very clear that Mr. Donn is not acquainted with music theory at all. When I read the article to one of my music teachers he had many questions on the work.

Fist of all if you have only seven notes, you'll will not get to far. there isn't a single song played with only 7 of the 12 notes the scale has. and even then most music take several range of Octaves.

The color of the Piano keys and it's name (KEYS) has nothing to do with music style at all. Music can not harm you unless it's too LOUD!!!

The Composer  behind the music can harm IF you know who he is and what he stands for. For example you would not want to go to a Chupa with Mendelssohn march, since he was a son of a meshumad and he said jewish music is lack of color.

Xmas Music ins't kosher, it's avodah Zarah.

And if you'r a Squarer Chosid G-d forbid if you sing a Breslever Nigun.

When Midzitz introduced the Walz in the Jewish music world, it was critized since it is a coed dance.

Carlbach was also critisized and his songs where banned, when he was know as a dropout from Yeshivishe derech...

With similar token, the Mishnayos Kahaty was banned in many circles becouse of his views on politics not because his writtings. The same with Shteizaltz.

The bottom line is there is nothin Kosher or non Kosher about music, but reather about message send by 1) the composer 2) the player (or singer) 3) and the lyrics.

Dovid Kerner writes:

While our families were off together spinning the kids around on the local carousel, Steve and I spent some time today recording World Series of Hate. You can listen to it here.

E. comments on the NY Post headline for the Shwekey in Jail performance:

they could have come up with something punnier like locking them up and throwing away the Shwe-key.

Psachya's Peeps

Psachya's having a peep-filled season too.

He writes:

Hey, just got my own bumper crop of June peeps. Here they are:

"The Siblings From Hell"

They come over to you with a predatory smile and say, "Hi, I'm the choson's brother," and proceed to make your life miserable. Occasionally, it's the other way 'round - when they've been making your life miserable for a half hour and you tell them to bug off, they say "Do you know who I AM? I'm the kallah's BROTHER!!" These people need to be ignored at all cost - as opposed to the siblings who are actually trying to help.

"The World Expert On Everything"

That's the teenager who was explaining to the drummer that his (the drummer's) technique stinks, he's not half as good as the drummer he saw last week, and "everybody" thinks the band is awful today. (Everyone else I spoke to thought the band rocked, but go know. And trust me, this particular drummer didn't deserve that.) And what is the source of his breathtaking musical expertise? As he explained to us, he a) really likes music, and b) goes to lots and lots of weddings.

"The Just One More Song Guy (Or Gal)"

This person will come over to you after you've been stowing your gear for at least three minutes and say, "Oh, c'mon! Just one more song!" (This is never the person who is actually responsible for paying your bill.) Don't EVER give in to him. Or her. EVER.

And that brings us to...(drumroll...)

"The Most Important Person At The Wedding"

That would be the kallah, right? Wrong! It's also not the choson. Or their parents. Or the rabbi. Or the rich uncle from Chicago. Or the bandleader, the caterer, the photographer, or the limo driver. Nope, that would be the chazzan who strolled into the ballroom just as you were about to start the second dance set, and demanded to be given a mike IMMEDIATELY so that he could torture the guests for ten or fifteen minutes. Never mind that everyone else in the room wants to dance. Never mind what the choson and kallah want. Never mind if they even know who he is. He needs a mike NOW, because he is the most important person at the wedding! And don't you forget it! (And as with the last peep, never give in. Guard your microphones with your life.)

OK, that's all for now.

I remember one gig where the kallah started to cry when the chazzan sang because he was ruining her wedding. (She wanted light violin instrumental music during dinner.) Turned out he wasn't related to anyone. He was just a Chassidic W'berg local who wanted to have the thrill of singing for a crowd with a six piece backing band, something he could never have afforded to pay for. So he just strolled in to a local wedding hall, told the band the groom wanted him to sing because he's close, and voila!

An Abundance of Peeps

There seems to be a bumper crop of "peeps" this season. Here are some more.

"My Speech Must Start Now!"

This peep absolutely needs to start his/her speech THIS VERY SECOND! No need to cue the band, wait for them to end the song, or even ask permission to use their mic. Such formalities are for plebes. Not for someone with something this important to say.
Invariably, this peep is also a "can't be bothered to say thank you" peep at the end of the affair.

The "I Can't Believe I Have To Wear A Suit" Guy

This peep wears a suit that looks like its from the 1970's. A neat trick, considering that he was born in the late '80's. Always accessorizing his afro and aforementioned suit with a big satin kipah, this peep adds a touch of nostalgia with his inadvertent impersonation of "Saved By the Bell's" Screech.

"Italian Aria Guy"
This chazzan, classically trained in Russia approximately 70 years back, wants to sing Italian opera arias during dinner. Lots of them. He doesn't bring music and won't be denied the mic. "It's easy, you'll just follow me," he says, launching into one obscure aria after another. Guess he can't tell the difference between the Met and a shul social hall.

Tal-Mood Music

C'mon NY Post! Surely you could come up with a better headline than Lockup Crooner's Tal-Mood Music.

Who Needs The Waldorf...

when you can throw a lavish Bar Mitzvah in jail.

6/10/09 Link Dump

Rabbi Dovid Landesman writes about badly behaved bochurim at weddings in "Houston, We’ve Got A Problem!"

Meanwhile, the Times Herald-Record reports on pre-wedding violence in Satmar.

Sara Smith writes about the Haredization of weddings in "My Story: Aliza's Haredi Wedding"

In the Forward... "Why Straight People Go to Gay Synagogues." the end of the article talks about transgender Jewish hip-hop artist Harvey Katz.

Also in the Forward, a review of "The Songs of a Wandering People."

Modern Uberdox posts about "Niggunei Hisorerus Novhardok."

Michael Makovi posts on "Kol B'Ishah: A New Analysis."

Teruah posts about Sruly Meyer's move from Sameach to Mostly Music.

Mottel posts "Reactionary Jewish Music."

Here's an article by Rabbi Murray Singerman: "Dancing in the Footsteps of Reb Shlomo: An Halakhic Analysis of the 'Carlebach Minyan'."

It's Peep Season Again!

"The Micro-Manager"

This peep, usually a school or kiruv org admin, needs to call the tunes at the gigs played at his venue. "No!" he'll shout, running over during a dance set. "The kids don't know this song!" Umm, they did the last four events we played at your place this year. And that's not including the multiple times it was played/sung at this past year's retreat. Or the events we played it at last year.

"Mr. I Need Your Card"

This peep comes over towards the beginning of the event and tells the bandleader "I'll need you card" in a way that makes it clear he has an imminent gig. Then they disappear before they can be handed a card. They will not come over again, and it will turn out to be impossible to find them among the 500 other guests at the affair.

"Need A Peep"

This Chassidic couple stands in close conversation on the other side of the room during a chupa. Then, with quick resolve, the husband, closely followed by his wife, walks past the open exit door and across the room, only to put his car keys down on the keyboard. His wife will immediately pick them up and head out to the parking lot. TMI.


"Everything Carlebach"

This peep needs to use a Carlebach melody for everything. He even sings Akdamus on Shavous using Carlebach's Od Yishoma (San Fransisco) instead of the traditional melody. Now that's just wrong!

From the mailbag...

Yonah Lloyd writes "Seeking Hiney Matov by Jewish Blues":

Hi fellow bluesers - I asked permission from Shmuel "Steve" Simenowitz to seek out his legendary "Hiney Matov" song online, as I would like a digital copy.  He said ok.  He doesn't have one himself, nor the tools to make one, so if I do find it, I'll send it to him as well.

Anyway, if any of you have it or are able to find it, please share the wealth this way!

Kathy writes in looking for Adi Ran's first disc, which does not seem to be available on line at the moment. Anyone know who has these in stock here?

E. forwards a link to a Ynet article on Gershon BVeroba's latest, "Is This Pop Hit Kosher?"

A Simple Jew forwards a link to "A Niggun From The Sudilkover Rebbe."

Finally, proof that klezmer is emotionally engaging, even to those who don't want to like it. Estevão Carlos Botelho Egas, who apparently just found out about Paul Pincus's passing writes:

GOT TO HELL MR. PINCUS!, FINALLY WE ARE TOTAL FREE OF YOUR HORRIBLE AND KITCHES SONGS!

GOD HATE US ALL!
Estevão Carlos Botelho Egas
Projetista da Engenharia e Projetos de Instalações Industriais
Mangels Indústria e Comércio Ltda.
Tel.: 55 11 4341-1688 Cel.: 9388-3540 Fax.: 55 11 4341-8975
e-mail: e.botelho@mangels.com.br

Classy.

Guilty Plea In Melzer Case

The Jewish Week is reporting that Adam Melzer has plead guilty.

...according to Kenneth Ralph, assistant prosecutor in Bergen County, Melzer pled guilty to four counts of endangering the welfare of children. He will be evaluated as a sex offender before sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 28.

Depending on the outcome, Melzer could be sentenced to up to three years in prison or placed on supervised parole for life.

Earlier posts on this can be found here and here.