Lag B'omer Music

DovBear on Lag B'omer Music.

Lipa Faith Promo

Kars for What?

Over at Hamavdil, Chaim Bray takes on Oorah in עורה-עורה שפלותי and "Stuff One No-Account Blogger Says About Oorah." Indeed.

Y-Studa Acapella

Received a couple of emails from various Y-studs asking me to post their video... Here it is... I don't get it. I mean I do... but I don't... know what I mean?

Neshoma Courts Controversy

Neshama Carlebach releases a new version of Hatikva  to be more inclusive to Israeli Arabs.  She also posted a non-statement to her Facebook page:

Friends, I know many of you have been waiting for me to make a personal statement about situation around this version of Hatikva. I haven't yet responded deeply and publicly about my own pro-Israel beliefs and have so wanted to. The wait has only been due to my large (and incredible) Team (everyone is involved and helping to create it) and my new Publicity Team needing to approve all that is released. Thank you for your patience, I hope to post my video statement over the next day. I love you all, thank you for being there and for believing in me and in my quest for goodness.

Hakol Kol Yaakova!

Over in South Africa... Women refuse singing ban!

Via Hirhurim.

Lag BaOmer is coming!

The Klezmer Shack posts a Tribute to Meron klezmer Avrum Segal, z"l.

"Histalkus Metal" in Crown Heights

At FM: Ex-Hasid Death Metal Band Flourishes – In Crown Heights

I Wanna Be A Polar Bear (With A Bomb)

This just might be the weirdest version of Abanibi I've ever seen.

Ki Lo Noa!

Achinoam Nini under fire for comments on Israel.

From the mailbag....

Psachya writes:

I enjoyed the video you posted on Joey Weisenberg's "table-top rhythms" for Shabbos singing. The guy is obviously a wonderful musician. At the same time, the video got me thinking: When does a tabletop cease being a tabletop and become a musical instrument - halachically speaking? And what's the difference between playing intricate rhythms on a shtender or on, say, a djembe?

Now I know the answer people will give me for my second question - because a djembe is specifically made as a musical instrument, whereas a table-top is more of a "found object". (I believe Mr. Weisenberg even used that term in the video.) However, I think the idea of something being a "found object" does not necessarily preclude it from being a musical instrument. Lots of fine music has been performed on, and composed for, found objects. Just ask Harry Partch. Or the cast of "Stomp".

Some might say that, to be a musical instrument, it needs to have the ability to be tuned. Two problems. One - there are plenty of indisputably musical instruments - a tamborine, say, or cymbals - that are not particularly tunable. On the other hand, as we saw in the video, it's possible to alter the sound of a shtender by putting pieces of paper on it, or putting things inside. How is that not tuning?

Another possible answer is that it has to be specifically set aside (muktzah) for the purpose of making music. Again, it seems to me that by sound-testing the "found objects" in advance (as he did in the video), perhaps Mr. Weisenberg is, essentially, "preparing" his found objects, thus making them "mezuman" to be musical instruments on Shabbos.

Again, I enjoyed the video - it was quite entertaining, and I hope I'm wrong in my speculations. But we're talking potential chilul Shabbos here, and we have to be careful. And as a habitual zemiros table-tapper myself, I may find myself sitting on my hands this Friday night.

Just some food for thought.

Introduction to Tabletop Rhythms for Jewish Singing

Awesome!

More Shabbos Music

Just because... Yedid Nefesh with the original text.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

IDF Rejects Request For Earplugs When Women Sing

Funny, That's Not How Chassidim Do It!

Over at On the Main Line: A description of the 'Mitzvah Tanz' circa 1600.

Credit Where Credit's Due

It's neat how Cole Porter deftly quotes Miami Boys Choir's "To Live A Life of Torah" in "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"from "Leave It To Me." [/sarcasm] No, I don't think Begun ripped it. It's just one of those coincidences like "Blue Bossa" and the A section of Avraham Fried's "Livinyomin Omar."

Melave Malka Links

Mickey Katz and Pete Sokolow! The Mickey Katz Project: A few minutes with Peter Sokolow

Leonard Cohen in court... "Ardour in the court: Screw with Leonard Cohen and he’ll smother you in prose."

Oh, Lipa!

So the first song preview of Lipa's forthcoming album is out... I imagine this tune will be popular on the Brooklyn simcha circuit, and so I'll wind up having to learn it and play it. Lipa is so frustrating... so much talent... and then he produces this drek... but it'll sell... I love his approach, his creativity, his energy, the depth of some of his Yiddish lyrics... but this stuff... it just leaves me cold.

Kiss My Klezmer!

Here's a Klezmer suite in tribute to Chaim Witz... Chaim: The Music-Maker - The Rise of Gene Simmons The clarinet soloist is David Krakauer.

Drake: Good for the Jews?

Ronn Torossian says yes. Check out the comment by A. E. Anderson for an opposing take.

The Low Down

Over at Speaker's Lab: an interview with bassist Benjy Fox-Rosen.

The Matzos Are Done!

Bruce Springstein: Greatest Bar Mitzvah Bandleader of All Time

According to Max Weinberg... the whole interview is at The Arty Semite.

And yes, I know how he spells his name.

Rewriting 'Hatikvah'

Over at the Forward, Philologos wants to rewrite 'Hatikvah'. The commentors don't agree.

Pesach is coming!

Over at On the Main Line: "What Passover sounded like 370 years ago - sung today."

More from the "Shabbat Songs Project"

Here is Lecha Dodi!

Downloading Accurate Sheet Music

I was asked to sing a wedding song by a fairly well-known chassidic singer at an upcoming wedding. The tune is not one that is typically played at weddings. I downloaded the chart from the artist's website and, surprise (not really) the chart is wrong. Is it unreasonable to expect that an artist make sure the sheet music on his site is accurate?

#NoseJobGate

Over at Teruah:  #NoseJobGate - The Groggers and Plastic Surgery Disasters

Shirei Shabbos Project!

Yeah!

In Time For St. Pattys....

Darth Vader Playing the Bagpipes While Riding a Unicycle

The Groggers Make Some Nose!

ABC News reports: "Miami Plastic Surgeon Under Investigation After Commissioning 'Jewcan Sam' Music Video to Encourage Nose Jobs"

3/13/12 Link Dump - Tasteless edition

I warned you... The Making of TRIGGER's "FART EXPANSION" Pack - YouTube


Jello Biafra on Al Jazeera: Caught in the crossfire: Should musicians boycott Israel?


One has to wonder if anyone reads JM PR before publishing it. The most recent example here: New CD: Pesach in Yerushalayim with Chilik Frank

Over at the Arty Semite, it's Monday Music: Rap for Rabbis

Finally, E. emails a link to yet another story about non-profit JM producers Oorah: Children's Charity Loses Millions on Real Estate  What a chilul Hashem!

Purim Headlines 2012

Once again, it's time for some Purim news headlines you're not likely to see anywhere else this year.

The Groggers Hired To Perform At The Siyum HaShas

MBD Retires

Avraham Fried To Release Collection Of American Standards

Airmont Shul To Open Franchises Worldwide

Frum Dub-Step Artist Tops Electronica Charts

Rabbi Nosson Slifkin Appointed To Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah

Frum Child Molestor Reported To Police By Rabbi

Frum Song With Intelligent Non-Cheesy English Lyrics A Pop Sensation In Brooklyn

Maccabeats Tapped To Sing Backup On New Eminem Album

NYC HASC/Ohel Concerts Announced: Lineup Will Not Include Lipa, Shwekey, Avraham Fried, or Eighth Day

New Deborah Feldman Book "ReOrthodox" On NY Times Best-Seller List.

Rabbi Avremel Schorr Launches Chain Of Internet Cafés

Most Talented Contestant Wins "A Jewish Star" Competition

New Wedding Takanos Limit Chupa Processions To Choson and Kalla Only

Mormons Posthumously Convert Golem of Prague - Jewish Community Outraged

Breitbart.com Launches Three New Websites: Big Lakewood, Big Satmar, and Big Skver

Novominsker Rebbe Joins Facebook

Shmuley Boteach Apologizes; Withdraws "Kosher Jesus" Book

Lakewood Rabbis Ban Chavrusah Tumult; Urge Bochurim To "Just Grow Up Already"

Jewish Week Wins Communal Praise For Exposé On MO Abusive Rabbi

Rabbis Ban Boys Choirs On Tznius Grounds - Sounds Too Much Like Kol Isha

A Better Approach To Fighting Unauthorized Copying

TLJNNews. com reports on Yoely Liebowitz's latest effort in "Chasidic Comedian, Looking to Shed New Light in the World of Music and Entertainment CD’s."

Some Purim Music for Y'all

Courtesy of Bnai Jeshurun. Get in the zone! Purim is coming!

NAMM Oddities 2012

Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities 2012 is up! Love this stuff!

Bobover Wedding Videos

Over at the Forward Sisterhood blog... "Serenading the Bobov Bride."

A Nice Chassidish Wedding Clip

Oh my!

YouTube Copyright Issues

Here's an interesting piece at Consumerist... "Is YouTube's Content ID System Leading To False Copyright Claims?"

Not A Gibson Update!

It's been months... still no charges and no resolution.

Rapping about Seinfeld!

...over at My Jewish Learning.

Marc Shapiro on Kol Isha

Marc Shapiro on Artscroll misrepresentations and Kol Isha...

Here's a taste:

Eccl. 2:8 states: .עשיתי לי שרים ושרות

What does this mean? The simple explanation is that the author, traditionally Solomon, is telling us about all the wonderful things he amassed with which to enjoy himself, and among them are “men singers and women singers.” Artscroll translates the passage as “I provided myself with various musical instruments.” Now this might be an apologetic translation, but if so, it is not Artscroll that is to be too criticized, but the Talmud, Gittin 68a, since according to Rashi this is how the Talmud explains the words.[11] Artscroll is obviously within its rights to adopt this understanding, even if one assumes that this explanation is not in accord with the simple sense of the verse.

The problem comes with the next passage in the Artscroll commentary which states: “Rav Yosef Kara, Alshich, Metzudas Zion and others translate ‘singers.’” I will get to Kara and Alshich shortly, but let’s begin with Metzudat Tziyon, since this is easiest for most people to access as it appears in the Mikraot Gedolot. He writes as follows:

שרים: משוררים זכרים. ושרות: משוררות נקבות

So now I ask my fair-minded readers: Is Artscroll’s statement that Metzudat Tziyon translates שרים ושרות as “singers” accurate? I think the answer is clearly “no”. Metzudat Tziyon translates the words in question as “male singers and female singers,” and yet—don’t tell me you are surprised—in Artscroll this morphs into “singers”. Why would Artscroll fudge the translation? The answer is obvious. They don’t want people to think that Solomon would have listened to women singing.

Read the whole thing! Fascinating stuff.

Diaspora Yeshiva Band video sale

Today's J-Deal is the "Diaspora Live on Mt. Zion" video plus Avraham Rosenblum's last album, "Kedem."

Avraham's son Mo sent me the video a while back, and it's been on my review pile for a while. The video documents the Diaspora Yeshiva Band at its peak. Well worth it for historical value, especially if you're interested in Jewish roots music with a folk/rock esthetic.

A Valentines Day Video from The Groggers

Oh dear!

Today's links

At Hirhurim:"Singing Soldiers."

At Gretsch Drums:Jazz vs Metal.

I Don't Mind Posting This Video

Kohane of Newark emails a link to their new video...

Did Miriam Sing?

Hirhurim presents some approaches.

Bad PR

If the PR about the production costs on this is true... this is is a huge waste of money.

Yiddish Disco

Teruah is back with a great post on the Jewrhyhtmics.

Watch this! (Klezmer clarinet content)

You need to see/hear this! Superb!

Amazing Grace Notes

Here's a Tablet podcast on Andy Statman's collaboration with Evangelical country star Ricky Skaggs.

1/25/12 Link Dump

Mastering explained in 44 Seconds.

I've written a bit about Oorah in the past. Well, there's not good news and more not good news. Raises some more questions about their CD "releases".

Finally, here's a helpful guide to rock drumming.

Time for More Peeps

"The Yekke"

Just got off the phone with a yekke (German-Jewish) client who hired me for an upcoming event. He booked me for three hours from precisely 6:20 to 9:20. I told him I don't mind giving an extra few minutes until the party ends at 9:30, but he insisted that a three hour booking mean exactly three hours.

"The Foodie Waiter"
Offers us soup. Comes back 10 minutes later with another bowl to say "I gave you the wrong one. Try the squash soup, it's much better!"

"The Fat Couple"

These overweight peeps stroll past the bandstand on the way out. The caterer has helpfully placed a shelf unit full of deserts right next to the band. As they pass it, and keep going, the wife looks longingly back at the display. "You don't need that!" says the husband. They continue on towards the door, until, in one swift maneuver, the wife does a 180, heads straight for the shelves and grabs an eclair. Whereupon, the husband looks at us, shrugs, heads over to the shelves, and downs an eclair whole. Sated (for the moment) the two exit stage left.

"The Color Commentator"

This guest stakes out a place against the wall near the band. Casually leaning, he provides color commentary to an imaginary audience, about all of the guests entering the room. Sample quote: "Hehey! Captain Homo is here! Oy!

"The Roach Observer"

This peep handles janitorial services. When the bandleader arrives to set up and notices a dead roach in the middle of the band's space, he points it out to this guy. "Yeah!" The peep laconically responds. "He's still moving a bit. I been watching him all afternoon!" Naturally, it doesn't occur to him to remove said roach until specifically asked to do so. For fun, here's a pic of said hypothetical roach.

"The Cheapskate"

This peep will come up to the band at an affair and inquire about a date in the immediate future, say within the week or so. The sole concern is price, and their budget is not realistic. Sample inquiry/offer: "I'm running a singles event next Sun. I'm expecting 100 or so people. Can you come play for the first half hour of socializing and then the last hour of desert. I don't need you to play for two and a half hours in between. I can offer $100 and you'll get exposure."

"Bathroom Phone Call Dude"
A word to the wise. If you're a waiter skipping out on the gig for a few minutes to make a romantic call to your girlfriend, a center stall in the bathroom is not the place to go. Even if you're not actively using the bathroom, the folks on either side of you sure will be. The constant bathroom noises -- urinals flushing etc. -- will not be conducive for romantic talk. Not to mention the fellow who just had too many tacos at the buffet, and who is now in the next stall...

"The Hapless Sound Tech"
We're setting up to play at a dinner, and there's a sound tech next to us setting up a wireless mic/speaker for speeches. "I can't get it working", he complains loudly. "It was working fine yesterday." After a couple of complaints, we take a look. He's got the wireless mic switched on, the portable powered speaker switched on, but no receiver and he had nothing connected to the speaker inputs. Um, think that might be the problem right there?

"The Demanding Client"
We need music now! We know you just played for over an hour straight and there's a long dance set coming up right after this short video presentation. But, our audio isn't working, so we need you to put down your dinner plate and come play background music for the video. No break for you! Oh, and we'll hit you at the end of the gig with the "Check Bearer"

"The Check Bearer"
This peep works for the organization hosting the event. He is not the contact person you've dealt with before/at the event. His sole job is to bring the check to the gig, and hold it all night (in case you don't play appropriate background music?). This peep inevitably leaves before the event is over, without handing over the check. It will take at least a week before you receive said check in the mail.

"Get On With It"
This peep, a parent guesting at the end-of-year senior dinner will not put up with the school administrator's bloviating. When said adminstrator, after a long and meaningless intro, announces that he will not proceed until there is absolute silence in the room (some students were whispering), this peep shouts out: "Get On With It!" It took the flustered admin 20 minutes to recover, and things moved quicker after that.

"Mrs. Dropped Skirt"
Ladies, a word to the wise. If you've lost weight or have an issue with the clasp on your skirt, you might not want to wear it for dancing at a wedding! Just saying!

"Can't We All Just Get Along?"
Played a wedding where there were four separated seating sections, each walled off by mechitzos. One for men, one for women, and two for mixed seating, separated by side, since there was a divorce in the family and apparently his & her relatives/family members could not be seated in view of each other. So sad.

"The Trailer Park Chupa"
Played a backyard chupa, where the host decided it would be a good idea to decorate the yard in trailer park style. Seriously. They brought in a Port-a-Potty, which was so not needed. Then, they "decorated" the potty by hanging old flowered bedsheets from clotheslines around it. The day-long rain didn't help, things. Neither, did the yellow and blue striped tent they had installed for the chupa. Or the handmade "exit" signs they felt compelled to add to the white tent the cocktails were in...

Post-Shabbes Nign

Check this!

A sneak peek at Michael Winograd's new klez album. Yes!

New Band Slogan....

....for one of the cheapie frummie bands that have been popping up lately... "Putting the 'Disco' in discount!"

From the mailbag...

Mordechai writes:

Thought you'd appreciate this:

Josef Skvorecky on the Nazis; Control-Freak Hatred of Jazz.

Forbade "Jewishly gloomy lyrics" and "mutes which turn the noble sound of wind and brass instruments into a Jewish-Freemasonic yowl"

The language is so similar to some Jewish bans (I have The Torah is Not Hefker in mind) that it's outright disturbing.

Indeed.

E writes: Heard the one about the "Jesuit football cantor?"

Your Music On Your Car Radio

Via Instapundit, here's a nice review of an FM transmitter that'll let you listen to your music on the car radio. Looks like a great tool for musicians. I often listen to new music for upcoming gigs, reviews, etc. in the car. This will avoid the time/expense of burning a CDR for the car. You can play tracks off of USB stick, SD card, or straight off of your iPod/iPhone etc. This one gets excellent reviews and it's cheap! Amazon has it here:

Name that Band!

Some neat band names we've come across recently.

Jews and Catholics. They could've just named the band "Guilt!"

Hasidic women's indie rock thang: Bulletproof Stockings.

If Simon and Garfunkel were young Chabadskers... Freedom Season.

What's Klezmer Spelled Backwards?

Over at the Arty Semite... "Talking With Ramzailech."

Shlock Rock Does Lady Gaga!

On Interpreting Lubavitch Nigunim

Herschel Tzig: Music Critic.

Eis L'daber v'eis...

MBD: Professor of Satmar theology!

And So It Begins... (another ban)

Craigslist Shakla V'Tarya

...at Jazz Mechanica.

Booking A Ban

Here's an interesting one... Check this post at FM out! Mishpacha Mag Ban A "Forgery," Part Of "Ongoing Business War" With Yated Ne'eman, Mishpacha Magazine Honchos Say.

I've been following the ban trend on this blog for quite a bit, and here's an interesting attempt by Mishpacha to counter a ban. Very Alinsky.

The same logic would apply to the Lipa ban, the ban on Rabbi Slifkin's books, etc.

Of course, since we're not dealing with logic... In any event, the fact that Mishpacha's people will make this argument publicly is quite relevant. Attitudes in the community have been shifting and the end result is a decrease in Kavod Hatorah (a bad thing), as well as a reduction in the effective authority of the gatekeepers and those rabbis who rule on matters they don't understand (a very good thing).

Incidentally, there's still time for you to win an exclusive T-shirt with my commentary on bans here.

Here's the shirt:

Adrienne Cooper's Musical Life

Here's Jon Kalish's Forward podcast on Sunday's memorial service for Adrienne Cooper Z"L.

Remembering Adrienne Cooper Z"L

WNYC - "Beloved Yiddish Singer Adrienne Cooper Mourned by Colleagues."

NY Times - "Adrienne Cooper, Expert on Yiddish Music, Is Dead." Money quote from her daughter, Sarah:

“She was interested in people expressing their Judaism through their language and their culture,” Ms. Gordon said. “She taught people how to do that.”

Indeed.

Forward - "Adrienne Cooper Embodied Progressive Spirit."

The Jewish Week "Adrienne Cooper, Mother Of Yiddish Revival Movement."

From the mailbag...

Jordan Penkower writes:

I recently found the following on your archive (March 27, 2008)

Shalom writes:

...

On another topic, and you can edit this for length if you want: I was recently listening to the first Mark 3 album, "The New Jewish Sound", with an ear toward dubbing it to CD so I can listen in the car. [1] This was one of my favourite albums back when I was a kid, playing it on my parents' Voice of Music stereo hi-fi set (ceramic cartridge, three tubes). Even on modern equipment it sounds perhaps a bit primitive by today's standards, but remember this was cut 42 years ago, and it was literally the first of its type: modern JM, as we know it, started here. [2]

I was wondering, though, who exactly played on this record. The only musicians credited are Sy Kushner (accordion), who is or was until recently still in the business; Jordan Penkower (alto), now a professor in Israel; and Benjamin Hulkower (drums), who's now a well-known psychologist in California. There are, however, five other instruments audible on the record: trombone, clarinet, trumpet (or other horn in that approximate range), bass, and electric guitar. None of these are credited. (There is a note that says "Special thanks to Mike Chernick and Jackie Gross", but no indication of what they did, or even if they were musicians in the first place.) I'd guess that there weren't any overdubs, given that all eleven tracks were cut in one day (6/13/66), so they were probably all separate musicians.

Do you, or any of your readers, have any idea of who these sidemen were?

footnotes: [1] Not successful. Of the three copies I was able to lay my hands on, only one was stereo, and all three were worn to some extent. I do have noise reduction software, but it made things worse, given that a trombone's waveform looks like noise to a noise-filter plugin. It would be nice to see this remastered, if anyone can find the master.

[2] Yah, there were folk-type albums like Shlomo Carlebach's first two, chassidish stuff like Nichoach (and the first two Pirchei albums, which were in the same style and probably had the same personnel, if I'm not mistaken), Modzitz, maybe Chazan Dovid Werdyger's Gerer stuff, and maybe a couple of Rudy Tepel wedding albums, but the pop-style, wedding-band-style albums that are so ubiquitous today weren't around yet, at least I'm not familiar with any older ones that have survived. Even the Rabbis' Sons were still a year away from making their first LP, and Neginah's first release wasn't until '71.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can now answer the above question (and request). In 2009 the original Mark 3 LP (after being re-mastered digitally) was released as a CD, with the original front cover. the back cover was also reproduced - but in a lighter gray, and superimposed on that was a text, AND ALSO A LISTING OF THE ORIGINAL MUSICIANS.

In addition to Ben Hulkower (drums), Sy Kushner (accordian), and Jordan Penkower (alto saxophone), the musicians were: Chizik Epstein (clarinet), Harvey Goldin (tenor sax, clarinet - solo on Mizmor L'Dovid, flute - solo on Dabeir Eilai Bifrachim, piccolo - solo on Omdos), Rick Heckendorn (Bass), Jack Leone (guitar), Hy Simon (trombone).

The singers were: Mike Chernik, Jackie Gross, Monty Penkower.

This CD is available at Nulite Music, Inc. - The New Jewish Sound- The Mark 3 Orchestra and Singers (CD)

In addition, i take this opportunity to inform you that just recently in 2011, the two LPs by Jordan Penkower and The Sterling Sound: (1) The Return to Jerusalem; (2) Jubilation, were remastered digitally, and released as CDs, together with the original front and back covers.

These CDS are available at:

Jordan Penkower And The Sterling Sound | Jubilation | CD Baby

Jordan Penkower and The Sterling Sound | The Return to Jerusalem | CD Baby

BD'E: Adrienne Cooper Z"L

Legendary Yiddish singer Adrienne Cooper has died. Adrienne was an incredible spirit and singer. I was fortunate to know her. Words fail.



Adrienne leaves some incredible recordings...

Her most recent recording is "Enchanted", wit music arranged by Michael Winograd.. Amazon has it here:



Wo can forget her collab. w/socalled on on Balebuste?

Amazon has it here:


Adrienne sang with many groups including the all-female klezmer supergroup named Mikveh.

Amazon has it here:


There are other great recordings as well. It's worth the time to search them out on Amazon.

Blog in Dm T-Shirt Giveaway

A little while back, Sam at ooshirts.com contacted me to offer some free custom T-shirts in exchange for a review on the blog.

After some thought, I decided to accept his offer. I also decided to use the opportunity to create a shirt that otherwise wouldn't exist (ruling out a band shirt, commercial concept, etc.) Looking back, one of the major topics I've covered on the blog has been bans. So, I created a shirt that comments on the topic.

As part of "reviewing" the process, I decided to limit myself to using their online shirt designer, instead of uploading artwork, etc. So, the shirt was completely "designed" on the ooshirts website.

Doing so was quite simple. I created the text, placed it on the shirt, and then created a 2nd layer of text (the strike-through lines) and placed that over the first layer. I'd estimate the entire thing from selecting a shirt style to completing the final text took me under 5 minutes. (I did spend some time fooling around with different design options/texts first.)

After an in-house designer reviewed the design, the order was submitted. I received a proof, and then about 10 days later, I received the order.

The brand/style shirt I chose was "Anvil organic" T-shirt in black with white printing. The shirt feels great and the printing looks good. About the only criticism I have, is that I'd have preferred a different "question mark", but that is a limitation that can easily be worked around by designing the text in your own program and uploading it, instead of limiting yourself to the somewhat limited collection of fonts available in the online designer.

You can see the shirt here (click on the pictures to see a clearer resolution. The text is sharp and crisp on the shirt.):

And now, I'm going to give one of these shirts to a reader. But, you'll have to earn it. I'm opening my inbox for guest-posts on any music related topic. Best one wins one of these very limited-edition shirts in size L. Send 'em in by Jan 15th and I'll pick a winner shortly thereafter. I reserve the right to reject posts I deem unacceptable/unfair. (I'll ship this in the continental US. If you're outside the US, you'll need to cover the shipping if you want the shirt.)

G'luck! May the best man/women win!

Chop 'em Down!

Here's an odd news report. The title says it all. Matisyahu snaps, kicks a female journalist in the face. Guess he meant that "no more Hasidic reggae star" stuff.

Methinks he misunderstood the teachings about Matisyahu fighting on Chanukah.

UPDATE: Rolling Stone has more. Hat tip, E.

Jon Zorn Does Christmas

John Zorn released a Christmas album this season. Jake Marmer penned (pixeled?) some musings about it here.

Amazon has it here.

For the record...

I had no idea this was in the works when I wrote that last post.

The State of Reform Music

... according to Teruah.

From the mailbag...

Dov emails:

This year, The Avoda put out the most energetic, catchy and dancy song of the season! "Spread the Light" will make you get up off your seat, while telling the story of how it really was. No gimmicks. No Cover. All original! Check it out! And please post it!

Matisyahu's Beard...

...would make a good band name. Especially for a reggae Chanukah project. Just saying! Groggers song coming in 3, 2,....?

The Groggers Rock!

Here's a quick commentary the YU Beacon controversy... Awesome!

Mo' Jewish Music Videos....

...for Amy Klein to hate on. From her fave Maccabeats: and from 613:

No Love for the Maccabeats!

Amy Klein doesn't heart the Jewish music video trend typified by the Maccabeats. I'm guessing she's not gonna like this new Aish Chanukah video either.

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

There's only one place where a sign for "Garden Paradise Hall Ladies" in front of a neon "The Lingerie Shop" sign means... you've found the local simcha hall.

From the mailbag...

Catching up on some older emails... Itsi is looking for a musical collaborator in Brooklyn. If this is you, let me know and I'll pass on your info. He writes:

I live in Flatbush, Brooklyn NY For many years I worked closely with a professional pianist (not far from where I currently live,) at a rate of $35/hour to record demos of my compositions. Using Sonar/Cubase we recorded all tracks in MIDI form, and worked together on music-arrangements, etc. Unfortunately, the musician with whom I was frequently working developed a wrist condition, and was warned by his physician that continued overuse of his wrist may result in the loss of mobility of his hand. He and I continue to work together, however, with the health of his wrist a major concern, we do so far less frequently – greatly slowing the progress as a result. I was wondering if you know anyone in the Brooklyn, NY area, (preferably in Midwood/Flatbush,) that may be willing to work with me based on a similar ability/arrangement I mentioned above (and enjoyed until recently)? I thank you in advance for your time and consideration, and hope to hear back from you soon.

Daniel Ori writes:

Dear Hasidic Musician, I love your blog and find it very resourceful. I'm actually a jazz bassist in NYC (www.danielori.com) It would be amazing if you could mention/review our new music app, Classical Melody Book. Here's the press release: For Immediate Release: The Melody Book releases its first app Classical Melody Book for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch Classical sheet music library Now Available in Apple’s App Store New York City – July 2011 – The Melody Book software has announced the worldwide release of its first iPhone/iPad touch app, which is currently gaining a lot of attention from the Apple iTunes store. Classical Melody Book provides hundreds of music scores for popular classical music along with an interactive melody based search, file transfer, and exclusive Call-A-Tune features. For those who have ever heard a melody, only to later have trouble recalling the name of the tune, the Classical Melody Book offers an innovative Melody Search that allows amateur and professional musicians to find the sheet music for hundreds of popular classical music pieces arranged for piano, guitar, violin, clarinet, orchestra, and more. In addition to the extensive sheet music archive, the app introduces “My Music”, a file transfer folder where users can import and share sheet music with a quick and easy interface. Whether it is being applied to the instruction, performance, or study of sheet music, Classical Melody Book is a useful and fun tool for musicians of all levels. Classical Melody Book is available in the United States at the Apple iTunes app store for $4.99, and is priced accordingly in other regions. Please visit www.themelodybook.com for more information on this app and upcoming releases.

Michael writes:

A friend of mine who heard a shmooze from Harav Matisyahu Solomon of BMG told me that he said music is music. (except for rap) It doesnt matter who composed it. A melody has the ability (but not always) to uplift ones soul. That was the intent of it being created. Therefore there is no 'innapropriate' use of a melody in parts of our davening just because it was composed by non jews.

I wrote about Rabbi Solomon's approach here a while back.

Brett writes:

This is Bret from SkyeLab Music Group in New York City. Our producer/engineer Arthur Shweky has 14 Gold/Platinum records, 2 Grammy nominations and has worked with some major stars such as Madonna, Will Smith, Alicia Keys, Santana, Queen Latifah and many more, along with being involved in 6 #1 Billboard hits. We have a new artist, Saul Hassoun, that we are producing and feel may be of interest to you. His music would likely appeal to readers of your blog. For your consideration, you can check out the video for Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim at the link below. Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the music!

Yonatan writes:

You have some interesting articles, but...because the "search" feature of your blog doesn't appear to work, at least not for me, I can't find what older material you have on some topics of interest. Otherwise, not bad.

Um, thanks. I think. The Google toolbar has never worked properly on the blog. Unfortunately, Google doesn't let me hide it. You can search the site in Google, either from the Google homepage, or using your browser's search feature and you'll get much better results.

Finally, Monique writes:

INSTRUMENTAL JEWISH HIP HOP ACT, THE ASTHMATIX RELEASE DEBUT EP IN TIME FOR HANNUKAH The Jewish culture is as much steeped in its dark and beautiful history as it is in stereotypes such as Jewish guilt and kosher brisket. Sydney-based quartet, The Asthmatix respond to this with an irreverent, off-the-wall-anything-goes brand of hip hop that is equal measures Marx Brothers and Scott Storch, Monty Python and John Zorn. The Asthmatix is comprised of two diagnosed ventolin-puffers and two members who have used asthma as an excuse on more than one occasion to get out of sports class. Band members include Morphingaz on beats and cuts (Chilly Gonzales / Mocky), Daniel Weltlinger on violin (Lulo Reinhardt / Monsieur Camembert), Damn P on keys and melodica (The Strides / Dereb The Ambassador) and Asparagus Mlynsky on decks (Radio Alice). The Asthmatix have been blending the art of klezmer, hip hop, middle eastern melodies and traditional turntablism since 2007. Their live performance sees the four-piece cleverly combine Jewish humour with traditional Jewish melody, soaring violins and old school hip hop beats. Whilst New York-based hassidic homeboy, Matisyahu may be helpful as a reference point for the falafel-munching foursome, The Asthmatix are more likely to be compared to the likes of instrumental hip hop pioneers, Hermitude than their fellow Jewish counterpart. Their debut single, Latke was released in December 2010 to coincide with the festival of lights, Hannukah. Exactly one year later, just in time for the very same festival, The Asthmatix release their highly anticipated debut EP, 'Go Team Go' Listen here. ‘Go Team Go’ will be released through Futureskool of Music on 20 December 2011 For more information: facebook.com/asthmatix

This Week's Parsha Rocks!

NY Times Hearts Jewish Music

Finally, a Jewish band the NY Times can unreservedly love.

Der Yiddisher Hendrix

On The Main Line posts about Mikhl Yosef Gusikow, who he calls the "Jewish Jimi Hendrix of the 1830's".

New Miami Boys Choir Video

Appropriation goes both ways. I found this video linked in a piece on Chassidim playing er, distinctly non-Hasidic (even anti-Semitic) music. Hat tip, Dov Bear.

Paul - The Jewish Beatle

Time for Adam Sandler to update his Hannukah Song.... Welcome, Paul!

Dissing Lipa

Tzig doesn't like Hoshana Raba by the Airmonter. Personally, ich hub hanueh gehat at a recent wedding I attended, where Lipa was called up for a kibud as Rav of the Airmont Shul. He's walking a challenging line, methinks, but largely succeeding, and there are sure to be some growing pains. I, for one, am pulling for him to pull it off. Of course, wrt the guy plugging his own forthcoming release, by wrapping his esrog in a promotional sticker... oy!

Three Keyboards = 35 Piece Orchestra

More union doings... this time in Kentucky. The interesting part of the article to me is this:

For September’s production of “Carmen,” the opera hired the musicians directly through their union at the rates called for in the musicians’ old agreement with the orchestra.

But in news release Sunday, opera officials said that arrangement was too expensive and cannot be repeated for “Figaro.”

Opera officials have said it cost $91,895 to hire the musicians for “Carmen,” when it would have cost $58,340 under the opera’s normal arrangement with the orchestra.

Make Some Noise!

The Groggers new video...

Post Chag Link Dump

Alexander Gelfand writes "Jews Try To Ban Offensive Music" for the Forward. He links to my series on Rabbi Ephraim Luft's book.

A bit late, here's Matthue Roth's "She-mix-ni Atzeret." Still worth noting, if only for Drake's beverage.

Occupy Wall Street Kol Nidre chazzan Avi Fox-Rosen on "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Chazzanus."

Finally, given the popularity of the "shreds" videos. I suppose it was inevitable that someone would make a "Singolda shreds" clip.

Alte Heim Old Brooklyn

Andy Statman's got a new album out. Check this!

Carmine D'Amico RIP

Psachya writes:

I just found out that Carmine D'Amico passed away this past Sunday Oct. 2nd, from cancer. Carmine has been out of the JM scene for a while, but he was a formidable presence on the scene during the '90's and early 2000's. He appeared on countless Jewish recordings, and performed at hundreds of Jewish weddings. He was incredibly talented, and didn't have to "put on a show" to showcase his talents. I spent a bit of time with him, both at weddings and in the Homowack Hotel's show band. I learned a lot from him simply by "trying to keep up," and he had some great stories from a lifetime of being a very active musician. He left a definite mark on our music, and his presence will be missed. My prayers are with his family.

5/5/11 Link Dump

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of Shlock Rock this year, Lenny Solomon has written 25 new song parodies which you can pre-order here.

Lipa Schmeltzer has released a video urging people to sign a petition in support of Sholom Rubashkin.

An Omaha-based rabbi blogs about "Scarborough Fair" the melody his chazzan uses on Yom Kippur for "B'yom Din." The notion that it might originally be a Jewish melody is simply wrong.

MBD releases his "final" album. Again.

At the J-Post, a writeup of Eli Dali's Jewish heavy metal project "Metal Prayer".

‫אוי גוועלד‬‎

I'm belatedly posting Metal Jew: "A few belated thoughts on the death of JDub"

Here it is... "The Truth About the Groggers."

Exhibit A...

... for why the folks doing job prep need to be able to read sheet music.(Also, why people producing lead sheets for wedding bands should learn about music notation conventions.)

I was given this chart for a wedding I led for one of the "offices". It was to be played at the chupa as the little kids walked down. The Russian conservatory trained trumpet player as well as the the sax player were both unable to read it in real time. So, I had to carry the melody for 'em. #justbecauseitplaysbackrightonyourcomputerdoesn'tmeanit'swrittenoutproperly.

Shana Tova!

And the winner (by a landslide) of this holiday's Maccabeats/Fountainheads holiday video competition is.... Shana Tova!

Off the Cuff...

Confidential to the well-meaning friends of the new couple... Bringing handcuffs out on the dance floor to chain the couple together might seem like a good idea. However, if you're going to do this, you might want to get real cuffs, not the cheap ones from the dodgy store downtown. That is, unless you want to take the groom out of the first dance for five minutes while you desperately try to unlock the cuffs, which have closed too tightly, and are cutting off circulation. Just saying...

Union Do's

There's a nice little exchange in the current Local 802 union newsletter "Allegro". It really speaks for itself about union values and respect for members hard-earned $.

An investment in chairs? My eyes nearly popped out when I just read in the July/August Allegro that the Executive Board has voted, nearly unanimously, to spend $1,169 each for 20 new chairs for the board room. Am I reading this right? Are we really about to spend more than twenty-three thousand dollars for new chairs for the board? Please tell me there is a decimal point missing somewhere. Scott Robinson

Recording Vice President John O’Connor replies: I am sympathetic to Scott’s point of view. If I were looking at this without background, I would probably have the same first reaction. However, there was a consensus among the board that it was time to get new chairs. Our old chairs had lasted more than 20 years but were at the end of their lives. When we began pricing well-crafted, American-made chairs, we quickly got a lesson in the retail market value of such an item – and it was eye-opening. In the end, a majority of my fellow officers and I did indeed vote to purchase 20 new chairs at $1,169 each. And this price, believe it or not, was a bargain. We consider the chairs to be a capital investment, one that will last for decades. In fact, the new chairs have improved the Executive Board room so much that it was like redecorating the entire room. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that this room is where many of our most important negotiations and meetings take place.

The attempt to claim it as a bargain is hysterical.

New Pitom Single - Ki Anu Amecha

Aish Gets Burned!

So Aish Hatorah released a viral Rosh Hashana video. Quite a few bloggers are not fans. See Tzig's "Rushishono's In the House", Dov Bear's "Another Aish video insults our intelligence", and Chakira's "hear deep in with your mouth".