Very nicely done!
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Monday, March 03, 2014
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Shame on Cinematic Strings
Cinematic Strings promises a student discount to a correspondent, but then reneges when they learn he lives in Israel, because they support BDS. The student's wife writes about it in "A Sour note."
For shame!
Update: Attempted walk back. Standing up to bullies works!
Another update:
This new comment by Alex from Cinematic Strings (on the link above) on that page sounds sincere.
For shame!
Update: Attempted walk back. Standing up to bullies works!
Another update:
This new comment by Alex from Cinematic Strings (on the link above) on that page sounds sincere.
Just an update. We realised that our own stance had been discriminatory, and that was not something we meant to do. We have given the discount to the artist concerned and in fact we have emailed him today and he is happy to work with us. We have agreed to provide the discount to every student regardless of their location, and after several discussions and further research, we have withdrawn our support of the BDS. We have done this because, while we still support open dialogue aimed at achieving peace and equality, we now consider the aims of the BDS movement to be extreme and counterproductive. Thanks for your time. Kind regards, Alex
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Gear Review: Gruv Gear Muver 6 Multi Mode Longbed Cart
So a few months back, I ordered a Gruv Gear Muver 6 Multi Mode Longbed Cart. I'd been using the Rock N Roller R10 Cart for the last many years, like most in this end of the business, however, I was never really happy with it. So, when mine was stolen, I decided to try the the Muver 6
instead.
There are very few options for folding carts that can haul serious gear, and also easily fit in a car. Since I couldn't find a local dealer who stocks these, after researching as best as possible on line, I took a chance and ordered one online. After using it for a few months, I can say that on the whole, I am very pleased with it. After a few weeks, of use I also ordered the optional table accessory, which allows me to turn it into a table, which has been quite handy on occasion.
A bit about my needs, cart-wise. I am often hauling either a keyboard setup (keyboard, amp, keyboard stand. mic stand, gear bag, book bag), a PA setup (speakers, mixer, stands, speaker poles), miscellaneous other musical instruments, or all of the above.
The Rock N Roller R10 Cart I'd had was less than ideal for many of these functions. I had difficulty fitting a keyboard on it comfortably. If I stood the keyboard case up on its end, I'd need to strap it to the handle, and the handle would be flush against the keyboard case, meaning I couldn't use that side to pull/push the cart. Lying the keyboard flat on the cart required leaving one of the handles folded down, and piling all of the gear on top of the keyboard case. However, the lack of a bed meant that the plastic SKB flight cases wouldn't stay on the cart, and would slide off easily at the slightest incline or bump.
As well, in this fully extended position, the cart was difficult to maneuver around sharp turns, a situation that arises frequently, like when wheeling a cart full of gear through a busy kitchen load-in at a venue.
In addition, the cart felt less than solid in the fully extended position. As a result, I found myself putting a lot more stress on my back, than I ought to have needed to maneuver the cart.
I also found that the inflatable tires lost air frequently, and even had to replace the back tires several times. (It goes without saying that the front wheels needed frequent replacement.)
The Muver 6 avoids all of these issues. Its multiple configurations allow me to use it in either flat-bad or half-sizes, without having any of these issues. The fully-extended flat-bed version is secure, allowing me to lay the keyboard(s)flat on the bottom and pile all of my gear on top, taking one trip, without worrying about spillage. The large wheels in the middle (meaning six wheels on the ground) both help to support the gear, and make cornering a breeze. You can see how this works on the demo video on Gruv Gear's site.
In its smaller, partially folded mode, the handles curve slightly out. so that even when standing the keyboard case up on its end, I can still push/pull the cart from that side.
Its solid tires can't lose air. Time will tell about their durability, but so far, they seem to be holding up nicely.
Some examples of recent scenarios where the Muver 6 made things much easier for me compared to the Rock N Roller Cart ...
1) A gig in Brooklyn. I had to park several blocks away from the venue, and navigate my cart with a keyboard setup down several cobblestone streets and broken sidewalks in an industrial area. The Muver 6 handled the trip easily, and using the table option instead of a separate keyboard stand made for a much simpler, balanced load. Had I had the Rock N Roller Cart, I would have had much more difficulty navigating the cobblestones, wouldn't have been able to easily push/pull from either side, which was necessary on several occasions, and in my experience, my gear would have fallen off the cart several times.
2) A gig at the Museum of Natural History. I parked in the museum lot, and entered the museum at the opposite end of the building from the "Whale Room" where the gig was. Using the cart, I was able to easily and smoothly pull it the entire length of the museum, (about one large city block), in no time, without the unpleasantness and exertion pulling the Rock N Roller Cart would have entailed. I know this because IIRC, the last time I played there, I used the Rock N Roller Cart. (Sometimes, I don't need to bring any gear to those sorts of gigs, as back line is rented.
In short, the Muver 6 stands out over the Rock N Roller Cart virtually every way. About the only points the Rock N Roller Cart has in its favor is weight (about half that of the Muver 6 ), and that it folds up more compactly that the Muver 6. I feel that this is a worthwhile trade-off. The Muver 6 is also more expensive, but the build quality is significantly better, and worth the premium.
I should note that Gruv Gear makes another cart, the V-Cart Solo - Multi-Position Personal Utility Cart, that may be a good option for some of you, instead of the Muver 6. That cart folds up smaller, and also has a unique angle that lets you push it as a tilted back dolly. It's also about half the weight of the Muver 6. I opted for the Muver 6 due to its ability to corner easily when fully extended. For those with less gear to haul, or for whom this isn't an issue -- and for bassists/guitarists, who want to be able to move an amp stack around the room/use the cart as an amp stand -- this looks to be a great option. That cart also has an extension option, the Gruv Gear XL Frame Extension for the V-Cart Solo
that seems like it would make it a good option for drummers and others with slightly more gear that the V-Cart Solo alone can hold. They also offer a Carpeted Deck option for it. And, there's a brace option, the Gruv Gear Stage Wedge for V-Cart Solo
, that let's you use it as an amp stand for your guitar/bass amp.
For people with even less gear to haul, they offer the Solo Lite Multi-Position Personal Utility Cart
.
Since no local retailers seem to carry these, I can't speak to the specifics of the other two Gruve Gear carts, but based on my experience with the Muver 6, I would not hesitate to buy either of these as needed.
In short, these are solid, practical carts for the gigging musician, that can hold your gear in a variety of configurations, and reliably get you and your gear to the gig. You can find more info here: GRUV GEAR website.
instead.There are very few options for folding carts that can haul serious gear, and also easily fit in a car. Since I couldn't find a local dealer who stocks these, after researching as best as possible on line, I took a chance and ordered one online. After using it for a few months, I can say that on the whole, I am very pleased with it. After a few weeks, of use I also ordered the optional table accessory, which allows me to turn it into a table, which has been quite handy on occasion.
A bit about my needs, cart-wise. I am often hauling either a keyboard setup (keyboard, amp, keyboard stand. mic stand, gear bag, book bag), a PA setup (speakers, mixer, stands, speaker poles), miscellaneous other musical instruments, or all of the above.
The Rock N Roller R10 Cart I'd had was less than ideal for many of these functions. I had difficulty fitting a keyboard on it comfortably. If I stood the keyboard case up on its end, I'd need to strap it to the handle, and the handle would be flush against the keyboard case, meaning I couldn't use that side to pull/push the cart. Lying the keyboard flat on the cart required leaving one of the handles folded down, and piling all of the gear on top of the keyboard case. However, the lack of a bed meant that the plastic SKB flight cases wouldn't stay on the cart, and would slide off easily at the slightest incline or bump.
As well, in this fully extended position, the cart was difficult to maneuver around sharp turns, a situation that arises frequently, like when wheeling a cart full of gear through a busy kitchen load-in at a venue.
In addition, the cart felt less than solid in the fully extended position. As a result, I found myself putting a lot more stress on my back, than I ought to have needed to maneuver the cart.
I also found that the inflatable tires lost air frequently, and even had to replace the back tires several times. (It goes without saying that the front wheels needed frequent replacement.)
The Muver 6 avoids all of these issues. Its multiple configurations allow me to use it in either flat-bad or half-sizes, without having any of these issues. The fully-extended flat-bed version is secure, allowing me to lay the keyboard(s)flat on the bottom and pile all of my gear on top, taking one trip, without worrying about spillage. The large wheels in the middle (meaning six wheels on the ground) both help to support the gear, and make cornering a breeze. You can see how this works on the demo video on Gruv Gear's site.
In its smaller, partially folded mode, the handles curve slightly out. so that even when standing the keyboard case up on its end, I can still push/pull the cart from that side.
Its solid tires can't lose air. Time will tell about their durability, but so far, they seem to be holding up nicely.
Some examples of recent scenarios where the Muver 6 made things much easier for me compared to the Rock N Roller Cart ...
1) A gig in Brooklyn. I had to park several blocks away from the venue, and navigate my cart with a keyboard setup down several cobblestone streets and broken sidewalks in an industrial area. The Muver 6 handled the trip easily, and using the table option instead of a separate keyboard stand made for a much simpler, balanced load. Had I had the Rock N Roller Cart, I would have had much more difficulty navigating the cobblestones, wouldn't have been able to easily push/pull from either side, which was necessary on several occasions, and in my experience, my gear would have fallen off the cart several times.
2) A gig at the Museum of Natural History. I parked in the museum lot, and entered the museum at the opposite end of the building from the "Whale Room" where the gig was. Using the cart, I was able to easily and smoothly pull it the entire length of the museum, (about one large city block), in no time, without the unpleasantness and exertion pulling the Rock N Roller Cart would have entailed. I know this because IIRC, the last time I played there, I used the Rock N Roller Cart. (Sometimes, I don't need to bring any gear to those sorts of gigs, as back line is rented.
In short, the Muver 6 stands out over the Rock N Roller Cart virtually every way. About the only points the Rock N Roller Cart has in its favor is weight (about half that of the Muver 6 ), and that it folds up more compactly that the Muver 6. I feel that this is a worthwhile trade-off. The Muver 6 is also more expensive, but the build quality is significantly better, and worth the premium.
I should note that Gruv Gear makes another cart, the V-Cart Solo - Multi-Position Personal Utility Cart, that may be a good option for some of you, instead of the Muver 6
. That cart folds up smaller, and also has a unique angle that lets you push it as a tilted back dolly. It's also about half the weight of the Muver 6. I opted for the Muver 6 due to its ability to corner easily when fully extended. For those with less gear to haul, or for whom this isn't an issue -- and for bassists/guitarists, who want to be able to move an amp stack around the room/use the cart as an amp stand -- this looks to be a great option. That cart also has an extension option, the Gruv Gear XL Frame Extension for the V-Cart Solo that seems like it would make it a good option for drummers and others with slightly more gear that the V-Cart Solo alone can hold. They also offer a Carpeted Deck option for it. And, there's a brace option, the Gruv Gear Stage Wedge for V-Cart Solo, that let's you use it as an amp stand for your guitar/bass amp.For people with even less gear to haul, they offer the Solo Lite Multi-Position Personal Utility Cart
.Since no local retailers seem to carry these, I can't speak to the specifics of the other two Gruve Gear carts, but based on my experience with the Muver 6, I would not hesitate to buy either of these as needed.
In short, these are solid, practical carts for the gigging musician, that can hold your gear in a variety of configurations, and reliably get you and your gear to the gig. You can find more info here: GRUV GEAR website.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Dancing Under Fire
המשטרה התיזה מים, המפגינים החרדים פרצו בריקוד
The Israeli police started s[raying water cannons to disperse rioting chassidim. They responded by dancing. The tune played, naturally, was Vechol Karnei Reshaim. Only in Israel!
Shreimel tip: Life in Israel.
The Israeli police started s[raying water cannons to disperse rioting chassidim. They responded by dancing. The tune played, naturally, was Vechol Karnei Reshaim. Only in Israel!
Shreimel tip: Life in Israel.
Friday, February 07, 2014
Thursday, February 06, 2014
CRAAPP!
New organization: CRAAP: Chassidish Rebbes Against Apps!
Let's ban some more stuff! Bans work!
WhatsApp Spreads Fast Among Ultra-Orthodox — and Rabbis Cry Foul
Let's ban some more stuff! Bans work!
WhatsApp Spreads Fast Among Ultra-Orthodox — and Rabbis Cry Foul
From the mailbag...
Jason Pietruszka emails a link to a new music video with his band "3 Steps Closer. He describes his music as "undertones of religion, faith, and tradition."
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Klezmatics Schnorring Again
The Klezmatics are looking to crowd fun their next album. Last time, they used Kickstarter. This time, they're doing it themselves through the band website.
Interesting approach.
Interesting approach.
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Pass ACUM
The J-Post covers the big blowup over ACUM's honoring Ariel Zilber this year in "Pro-rightist singer Zilber gets downgraded award, touching off firestorm in Israel."
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
So Someone Filmed A Music Video In Auschwitz.
Nice enough song, I suppose, for the genre, but really... Auschwitz? Color me appalled!
Reb Lipa On Hsahkafa
In the Forward... "Lipa Schmeltzer Reaches For Broadway and Beyond".
So, you banned his big show a number of years ago. How's that working out?
So, you banned his big show a number of years ago. How's that working out?
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Take That!
"Religious Singers Take Israeli Music Awards"
The Razel song, which I'm pretty sure I posted a while back, is gorgeous! There a clip at the link. Check it!
The Razel song, which I'm pretty sure I posted a while back, is gorgeous! There a clip at the link. Check it!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Take Note!
Over at deBreved, Tim Davies has an excellent presentation "Jazz Notation - The Default", that talks about the default assumptions jazz musicians will make when looking at sheet music. I've talked about some of this in the past, but Tim really nails it here, in an extensively developed presentation that --if you follow his links and examples -- is guaranteed to help you write clearer charts. Go and learn!
Monday, January 06, 2014
Neshama Carlebach Obfuscates About Her Embrace of Reform
JTA mis-titles an article: "Neshama Carlebach sets record straight about her embrace of Reform"
Personally, I think she should just proudly own it.
Personally, I think she should just proudly own it.
Thursday, January 02, 2014
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Monday, December 02, 2013
Now I understand...
...why he was asked to speak at the Agudah convention.
"Zumba will become pole [dancing] and pole will become prostitution."
Over at FrumSatire: "Nothing like a good racist video about being tznius."
"Zumba will become pole [dancing] and pole will become prostitution."
Over at FrumSatire: "Nothing like a good racist video about being tznius."
From the mailbag... "The Lachatz Song"
From the mailbag...
DJ Kornerstone writes:
DJ Kornerstone writes:
I recently made a new song called Lachatz. It was put on YouTube a few days ago. I would appreciate it tremendously if you guys would post it on your website. Enclosed is a link to the video. Thank you for your consideration.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Eyal Golan Under House Arrest
Over at the Forward... Fall of Mizrachi Singing Sensation Eyal Golan.
UPDATE:
According to the Jerusalem Post's sources, he may not be charged, but his father and manager will be... see here.
UPDATE:
According to the Jerusalem Post's sources, he may not be charged, but his father and manager will be... see here.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Monday, November 04, 2013
Pre Black Friday Music Deals at Amazon
Amazon has started their holiday sales already.
Music gear deals can be found here:
Shop Amazon - Countdown to Black Friday Deals in Musical Instruments
This one caught my eye. It's a good deal on the M-Audio SP-2 sustain pedal. I'm not a big fan of M-Audio gear, in general, but these pedals are solid, and have polarity switches so they are compatible with all keyboards. I have a couple of them. They are a great choice if you like a substantial feeling sustain pedal. And, unlike the Roland DP pedals, these seem to last. At $12.96, that's a good deal.
M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal with Piano Style Action for Keyboards
This one caught my eye. It's a good deal on the M-Audio SP-2 sustain pedal. I'm not a big fan of M-Audio gear, in general, but these pedals are solid, and have polarity switches so they are compatible with all keyboards. I have a couple of them. They are a great choice if you like a substantial feeling sustain pedal. And, unlike the Roland DP pedals, these seem to last. At $12.96, that's a good deal.
M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal with Piano Style Action for Keyboards
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Top ways a Kumzits is like sitting Shiva
1) The sitting on the floor
2) Both are emotional
3) Both are painful
4) Both are inevitable
Don't believe me... this clip makes pretty much confirms it.
2) Both are emotional
3) Both are painful
4) Both are inevitable
Don't believe me... this clip makes pretty much confirms it.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Dveykus Wants To Be Banned!
No, not the Abie Rotenberg group, the Hasidic Doom Metal band.
From their Noisey interview:
From their Noisey interview:
What are Deveykus’ plans for the rest of 2013?Nice!
I'd love to figure out a way to play in New York on some kind of show inside the religious community. I think the greatest thing we could ever achieve would be for a Hasidic rabbi to ban us and forbid people to listen to our music for fear of being seduced by the outside world.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Is Matisyahu Burning More Bridges?
Frum Satire posted a satire piece titled "Is Matisyahu’s music kosher?"
Check out the last comment in the thread. It allegedly quotes from a BBYO statement after he performed for them.
Check out the last comment in the thread. It allegedly quotes from a BBYO statement after he performed for them.
This past weekend at Fall Kickoff 2013, BBYO ONR brought in guest speaker and Jewish musician Matisyahu. Matisyahu’s music has inspired many Jews and non-Jews alike with his powerful lyrics that reflect Jewish and spiritual themes. Recently, Matisyahu has undergone a transformation in his Jewish identity, and with Kickoff 2013 coinciding with his visit to Cleveland to play at the House of Blues, ONR was presented with the opportunity to provide our teens with a unique experience. By bringing Matisyahu into our community for a speaking engagement, we hoped to explore the theme of the individual Jewish journeys that make up our Jewish identities, as well as the concept of transformative Jewish experiences. The goal was to illustrate to our teens that no matter what you look like on the outside, exploring your personal Jewish journey is a critical piece of understanding your own Jewish identity. Furthermore, the expression of your Jewish identity can come in many forms, including creative expression and popular music.
Unfortunately, however, our guest speaker’s behavior and responses during our program did not reflect our original intent. We were disappointed by the way Matisyahu chose to conduct himself while visiting our community. His references to drugs and his blatant disrespect for the questions presented to him by our teens and staff do not reflect the values of our organization. We were impressed by the maturity of our teens and volunteers who persistently attempted to redirect the conversation in order to gain value from the experience.
Immediately after the speaking engagement with Matisyahu, we provided the participants with the opportunity to hear about the Jewish journeys of others in our community and teens were given the opportunity to share their transformative Jewish experiences. They were also given a forum to reflect and provide feedback about the experience. There was certainly a learning opportunity that presented itself in this situation and again, we were impressed by the maturity and insight of our teens. We hope that through this experience our teens came away with new lessons on integrity, leadership and managing expectations.Just wow!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Ani Chozer Habayta
Oh wait, that's a different song by Ron Eliran. Here's his "Crazy Country America."
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Monday, October 07, 2013
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Friday, October 04, 2013
From the mailbag...
Shmueli Schwartz emails a link to his website. He's recently released an album titled "Believe." There are audio clips up at his site.
YOu can read some more about it here.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
"You Need A Good Shul!"
SWFS Cantor Dan Singer forwards a link to a promo clip for Friday night services at Steven Wise Free Synagogue in NYC.
If you're looking for a Reform Shabbat service/venue to meet Jewish singles, check it out!
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
What He Said!
BJMF's Joey Baron on the need to support Jewish artists: "Would the Last Jewish Artist Please Shut Out The Lights?"
Monday, September 09, 2013
‘I’m Sorry, It’s Yom Kippur’
Shmekel is atoning! [An inapropriate language warning seems kinda redundant, given the band name, but here it is anyway.]
Monday, September 02, 2013
Odeleya Berlin Releases "אחלה-פניו"
In time for the season, klezmer revivalist clarinetist Moussa Berlin's daughter, Odeleya Berlin has released an album, "אחלה-פניו" on Bandcamp.
This is a very worthwhile collection of what sounds like a live performance of a variety of traditional and newer songs, mainly from the Yomim Noraim liturgy. Berlin's strong connection to this music, no surprise given her background, is palpable. Mousa appears here too.
I'd love to see more presentations of this sort of concert. Moving, touching, informative, and experiential, as opposed to the crass commercial presentation one sees too often at concerts presented for the frum community.
Go listen. Then buy it.
This is a very worthwhile collection of what sounds like a live performance of a variety of traditional and newer songs, mainly from the Yomim Noraim liturgy. Berlin's strong connection to this music, no surprise given her background, is palpable. Mousa appears here too.
I'd love to see more presentations of this sort of concert. Moving, touching, informative, and experiential, as opposed to the crass commercial presentation one sees too often at concerts presented for the frum community.
Go listen. Then buy it.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
In Hot Waters
More Algemeiner... Roger Waters and BDS Movement are an Embarrassment
Nice contrast with Johnny Rotten.
Nice contrast with Johnny Rotten.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Kumzits Mad-Libs
The past number of years, there's been a trend among many frum simcha singers on the NY circuit, in which they sing the choruses of various slow songs over a rock beat at tempo, when ending the last dance set with a Yerusholayim song. So, you might hear the singer segue from "Yerusholayim" into the chorus of "Anovim" or "V'zakeini" or Shwekey's "Im Eshkocheich" or all of those and more, before going back into the tune. There needs to be a name for this. A listener described it to me at one recent event as sounding like "Kumzits Mad-Libs", and I think that's the perfect name.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
In Review: Siach Hasadeh
Off the (virtual) review stack...
Yoni Kaston and Joel Kerr's new album, Siach Hasadeh -- Song of the Grasses, features their moving arrangements of old Chasidic nigunim which they perform on clarinet and bass, often in conjunction with oud, harmonica, or string quartet.
A friend, thinking I'd enjoy this project, had sent me a link to the band's music page, just before Yoni emailed a review link. He was right. I found this recording interesting both in terms of song selection as well as musical approach.
This is rich, introspective music, beautifully arranged and performed. The melodies are largely Breslover nigunim, including both well-known and lesser-known melodies. There is one nigun each from Karlin, Lubavitch, Modzitz, Radishitz, and Tolne, as well as one Sephardic tune, "Agadelcha."
The liner notes include a little bit of background information about the source for each song, which is always nice.
Kaston's sensitive clarinet playing is soulful and tasteful, and the musicianship on the album is excellent. The musicians all communicate nicely throughout,maintaining the spiritual focus of the melodies while at the same time adding their own personal expression. The tracks feature various configurations of the musicians, which makes for nice timbral shifts from track to track.
Fave tracks include "Niggun Firn Di Tsadikkim In Gan Eyden", which features Jason Rosenblatt's soulful harmonica upfront and some tasteful improvisation mid-way through, Kaston and Kerr's duo version of "Tfilas Tal", and "Tolner Niggun" on which Ismael Fencioglu's oud joins the duo. I transcribed that one to play with the band at the wedding of a member of the Tolner Rebbe's family last week.
"Siach Hasadeh - Song of the Grasses" is a very worthwhile album. Definitely check this one out.
The band's website is here.
Amazon has the album here:
Yoni Kaston and Joel Kerr's new album, Siach Hasadeh -- Song of the Grasses, features their moving arrangements of old Chasidic nigunim which they perform on clarinet and bass, often in conjunction with oud, harmonica, or string quartet.
A friend, thinking I'd enjoy this project, had sent me a link to the band's music page, just before Yoni emailed a review link. He was right. I found this recording interesting both in terms of song selection as well as musical approach.
This is rich, introspective music, beautifully arranged and performed. The melodies are largely Breslover nigunim, including both well-known and lesser-known melodies. There is one nigun each from Karlin, Lubavitch, Modzitz, Radishitz, and Tolne, as well as one Sephardic tune, "Agadelcha."
The liner notes include a little bit of background information about the source for each song, which is always nice.
Kaston's sensitive clarinet playing is soulful and tasteful, and the musicianship on the album is excellent. The musicians all communicate nicely throughout,maintaining the spiritual focus of the melodies while at the same time adding their own personal expression. The tracks feature various configurations of the musicians, which makes for nice timbral shifts from track to track.
Fave tracks include "Niggun Firn Di Tsadikkim In Gan Eyden", which features Jason Rosenblatt's soulful harmonica upfront and some tasteful improvisation mid-way through, Kaston and Kerr's duo version of "Tfilas Tal", and "Tolner Niggun" on which Ismael Fencioglu's oud joins the duo. I transcribed that one to play with the band at the wedding of a member of the Tolner Rebbe's family last week.
"Siach Hasadeh - Song of the Grasses" is a very worthwhile album. Definitely check this one out.
The band's website is here.
Amazon has the album here:
Rabbi Yitzchak Adlerstein: Concert Reviewer
Over at Cross-Currents, Rabbi Yitzchak Adlerstein (who happens to also be pretty much the only consistently worthwhile read there, reviews the Helfgott-Perlman Hollywood Bowl concert in "Angels At The Hollywood Bowl."
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Recent Peeps
"I'm The Ba(n)dleader"
This peep will hire you t play a family event. He will spend the entire evening micro-managing the music, telling you exactly what songs to play, and when.
He's not concerned with the niceties/conventions of finishing a song before tarting the next one, which songs will work well for dancing, etc. He won't let that stop him. You'll do what he says, when he says it. Now. Not in three more measures at the end of the tune.
"Sneak Photographer"
This peep will stand near you and snap pictures, but only when she thinks you're not looking. Whenever you look at her, she'll avoid eye contact, and pretend to be checking her phone as she lurks.
"Sheet Music Thief"
This peep wants some sheet music. What better way to get it than to remove an entire dance section from one of the band's binders while the band is on break? Stay classy Mr/Ms thief.
This peep will hire you t play a family event. He will spend the entire evening micro-managing the music, telling you exactly what songs to play, and when.
He's not concerned with the niceties/conventions of finishing a song before tarting the next one, which songs will work well for dancing, etc. He won't let that stop him. You'll do what he says, when he says it. Now. Not in three more measures at the end of the tune.
"Sneak Photographer"
This peep will stand near you and snap pictures, but only when she thinks you're not looking. Whenever you look at her, she'll avoid eye contact, and pretend to be checking her phone as she lurks.
"Sheet Music Thief"
This peep wants some sheet music. What better way to get it than to remove an entire dance section from one of the band's binders while the band is on break? Stay classy Mr/Ms thief.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Thursday, August 01, 2013
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