More On The Story

A David Horovitz op-ed at the Times of Israel: The dance of death

More On Zochreini Na

Over at Daily Reyd - Torah Musings, Rabbi Gil Student disagrees with me.

He writes:

A Jewish musician suggests banning the song “Zochreini Na” because it has become an anthem of revenge killings in Israel. I disagree. In the US, it has no connotations of that nature whatsoever. It’s just a song. You can see on YouTube (I, II) plain yeshivish weddings where the song is played and no one is waving guns in the air or anything like that. I have never heard of the song meaning anything like that in the US.

Needless to say, I disagree with him. In my original piece, I traced the source of the melody, and how it became popular here in the US. Although he is correct, that -- so far -- people don't generally react to the song in that way here, that could easily change. More to the point, the glorification of aspects of far-right extremism, as occurred in popularizing the song in the first place, and in the fact that Dov Shurin is given any sort of forum in Jewish Media, is troubling. It's not like the song was an innocuous song, that was then adopted by the radicals. That is its source. Indulging this sort of radicalism is a very bad idea.

As Ha'aretz wrote, quoting Rav Sherlo in 2002: "However, Rabbi Sherlo insisted that vengeance should not be the subject of songs and dances: "We don't dance over the spilling of blood... We don't ignore the heavy price that vengeance brings in its wake, and the endless cycle of violence. We don't dance about vengeance because we are careful not to be spoiled by it, not to become enamored of it and of the evil it generates in the world."

Another Protest About Zochreini Na

Vos Iz Neias: Prominent Rabbi Protests Popular Song As Soundtrack To Violence

It's Past Time To Stop Singing About Revenge!

Sadly, it's time to revisit a subject I first wrote about in 2003 in this post, "Radical Jewish Music (Not by John Zorn)"

The following Times of Israel article, "Clip Shows Far-Right Wedding-Goers Celebrating Duma Killings", went viral today. I encourage all of you, difficult as it will be, to watch the clip embedded there.

Here's a glimpse:

Footage released on Wednesday showed dozens of young Israeli right-wing extremists, said to be linked to the suspected perpetrators of the Dawabsha family murder, celebrating the killing at a wedding last week. 

The images in the clip immediately sparked wide condemnation. The video, aired by Channel 10, shows revelers at the Jerusalem celebration waving knives, rifles, pistols and a Molotov cocktail during the wedding. Amid the festivities, a photo of baby Ali Dawabsha, who was burned to death in the July 31 firebombing in the West Bank village of Duma, is shown being repeatedly stabbed, according to the report. 

The crowd in the video chants the lyrics of a song which include a verse from Judges 16:28, quoting Samson, blinded in Gaza, saying “let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes” — but changing the word Philistines to Palestine. 

The couple whose wedding was being celebrated was said to be friends of Jewish extremists detained in connection with the firebombing attack.

The song they are referring to is Dov Shurin's "Zochreini Na", and it is very clear from the clip as to how it is taken by that community. And, no, that clip doesn't reflect on everyone from that community, but there is clearly a critical mass that is comfortable singing about killing babies, even when it's not an abstract concept. As you'll see, they're doing it while waving a pic of a one year old that was burned to death, and then stabbing the picture too.

This scene should trouble all moral people, no matter their political viewpoint with regard to settlements, land for peace, etc. And, I think it behooves the Jewish music community to stop playing that song. Previously, my policy has been that I won't call it on a job, but if it was a request, I'd do it. At this point, I feel like a stronger stance needs to be taken. We need to stop playing this song, and to actively speak out against this kind of thing. This is my protest! Where's yours?

From the mailbag...

Shua Hoexter writes:

I've followed & enjoyed your blog for a while. Would love to hear what you think of a new creative project based in Pittsburgh, blending Jewish music, contemporary sounds and improvisation.

Check out "Chillent" at: 

          https://www.facebook.com/chillentband

https://soundcloud.com/chillent

http://www.chillentband.com

Thanks for listening!"

Peeps Again!

"Bad News Bear"
This peep loves to be the bearer of bad news. She's the one who has to come over during a kumzits at the end of a wedding to inform the singer mid-song that Yosi Piamenta passed away. True story. Now, keep smiling and start another song!

"Knows His Key"
This peep knows what key he sings in. But, he doesn't know the name of the key. So, it's not F# minor, but rather, "one lower than G minor." An oddly endearing quirk.

"Doesn't Know the Words"
This peep with a good voice will always get up and sing at events he's at. For some reason, the guests always want him to. This even though he butcher's the words EVERY time, no matter the song. Whether it's Vezakeini or even Shir Hama'alos, he can be counted on to screw it up. And yet, they applaud and the next time, ask him to do it again.

"My Family Has Yichus"
This peep takes twenty minutes at the beginning of his Sheva Brachos speech to let the guests know EXACTLY who his family is. A full accounting of all rabbis, successful businessmen, etc. must be given. Seriously, twenty minutes. I timed him.

"7 & 3/4 Guy"
This peep leads the singing in between Sheva Brachos blessings. He will drop an eighth note at the end of every phrase. Consistently.

"Sheer Pantsuit Lady"
This feisty eighty year old will show up in an effectively sheer pantsuit. I say effectively because it wouldn't have been see-through if she'd worn something light underneath it. The black bra and undies though...

"The Seforim Holder"
This guy comes to the fundraising dinner for his Gap year yeshiva carrying a sefer ostentatiously. He never uses it that night (or possibly much ever).

"So, I Married A Hooker"
This guy brings his wife, dressed in loud flashy revealing clothing and stiletto heels to the same yeshiva dinner "Seforim Holder" is at. All of the other wives are dressed in modest attire, as expected.

"The Sheet Music Reader"
This peep will take advantage of the band's break to get up on stage and flip through the band's charts. Then, he'll come over and ask specific questions aimed at demonstrating his comprehension of the charts. Um, yes that polyrhythmic instruction at the top of the chart does mean exactly what it says, and we do play that tune in F#. And, thanks for going through our stuff!

Online Drum Machine

Online Roland TR-909

Shmuli, Drik Dem Kneppel!

SmuliX & mayez by SmuliX

Star Wars Acapella w/Cast of the New Film, The Roots, and Jimmy Fallon

Music Video - BELZ - Lipa feat. the Holocaust Survivor Band

Casio: Not Just For 1980's One Man Band Gigs.

How Casio accidentally started reggae's digital revolution.

Another Chanukah Video... Shulem Lemmer, Freilach & Shira - Yiddish Chanukah Medley

Another Chanukah Video... Tell Matisyahu That We Won

Another Chanukah video... "CHANUKAH" - Shloimy Bluth

Another Chanukah Video... Joe Buchanan - Shine ft. Lior Ben-Hur

Another Chanukah Video... "Light Em Up" - Beri Weber ft. The Zemiros Group

Another 

Still More Chanukah Videos... MC Flow - Pot in the Latkes

Oh dear!

On the Wings of Eagles of Death Metal

In the NY Post: "Band deserves applause for supporting Jews in face of terrorism."

Kol Isha On Cross-Currents. Really!

Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein posts Schiller, Fartaytsht un Farbesert, Binyumen Schaechter's Choral arrangement of Beethoven's Ode to Joy with Yiddish words by I.L. Peretz.



Nice that Rabbi A. posted it, because of the message it sends about listening to women singing in a chorus and halachik possibility.

Hanukkah Video #3 - Lift Yourself Up

 YouTube:

‫איל כהן -אסירי תקוה‬‎

You Didn't There'd Be Just One Chanukah Video, Right?

It's That Time of Year - Chanukah Videos!!!

‫מופע חג הגאולה י״ט כסלו בי״ז כסלו תשע״ו - בנייני האומה ירושלים‬‎

Why do we not have this sort of powerful exploration of Chasidic music here? It's always the same overblown, impersonal extravaganzas. How about inviting a handful of creative, unique musicians to collaboratively put their own spin on the music, instead of just playing charts?

A Soul-Ful Chanukah

From ‘Amy Winehouse sound’ creators, a funky Hanukkah anthem

This Chanukah Video Is So Bad Its Good

Hat tip, E.

It's Time for Chanukah

Here’s a Hanukkah Parody of Walk the Moon’s ‘Shut Up and Dance’

Isaac Bitton Is Back!

Isaac Bitton Back With A New Single – Vataomer Dai

Want To Buy R' Shlomo's Guitar?

Rare Carlebach Guitar On Auction Block Tomorrow

Glass Harmonica

All They're Singing Is "Give Peace A Chance"....

.... wait, no, that's not what they're singing.

Ick!

In a follow up to a conspiracy theory laden post from last week, Shlager references Jewish Community Watch's perspective and than washes their hands of the subject.



Conspiracy theories that make an industry look bad, sure, no problem. Protecting children, well, we don't know about that....



סערת המפיק החשוד במעשים חמורים ממשיכה להכות גלים

Off the Review Stack...

Mesivta of Waterbury - Stay With Me

This new release, featuring songs composed and performed by students and alumni of the Mesivta of Waterbury (with some guest musicians), is quite a pleasant surprise, with nice vocals and understated production. I really like the approach the guys took on this one.

The album captures a nice folk-rock blend that sounds like the Rabbis' Sons meets Yosef Karduner. These are nice contemporary settings of mainly the usual types of liturgical texts like Ani Ma'amin, Gam Ki Elech, Oseh Shalom, Hashem Melech, etc. with two (and a half) original English songs.

The arrangements are largely guitar based, although there are some nice guest turns on percussion, violin, and clarinet on some tracks. There's also a nice vibraphone solo on "Hold On." All in all, a very tastefully done project. And, you can tell that at least some of the people involved have an appreciation/love for older Jewish music.

Fave tracks include "Hashem Melech" with a great acoustic guitar intro, and "Mishoich", which really captures a Karduner vibe with strong rhythmic acoustic guitar, and percussion, but no drum set.

Amazon has the album here: http://amzn.to/1GWga6m

SoCalled - Peoplewatching

Josh Dolgin aka SoCalled first came to my attention with his "SoCalled Seder" project. He followed that up with "Ghettoblaster", a nice album including a homage to Jewish Cowboys as well as a slammin’ version of that Yiddish classic "Belz", which you can hear over the closing credits to "Midlife Crisis", a Yiddish Seinfeldesque mini-series on YouTube. He was a also a key member of "Abraham Inc." A klez-funk collab he did with clarinetist David Krakauer and trombonist Fred Wesley. SoCalled has been on the faculty of various Klezmer programs as well as performed for numerous Jewish music festivals. 

His recent recordings are more pop-oriented dance music, rather than specifically Jewish, albeit with diverse influences including klezmer in the mix. That said, you can’t take the Jewish out of SoCalled’s music, no matter how upbeat and danceable it might be.

On "Peoplewatching", Socalled takes a look at the Good Book and learns from the stories that “It’s not enough that I succeed; everyone else must fail.” Another good lyric: An eye for an iPad/slaves of the phone/land of the imprisoned/ and home of the drones

"Peoplewatching": Nice funky horns on this track! "So many greedy ones/causing all the needy ones."

"Never See You Again" has some profanity as well as a nice trombone solo

In "Extra Ordinary", Socalled confesses that “It’s not kosher, but sometimes I’m a pig.” He also claims to be a door-to-door Wikipedia salesman, among other things.

"Fire on Hutchison Street" is a song about how Shabbos candles caught a curtain on fire at an apartment across the street from Socalled’s place…

“An audience assembles across Hudson Street to watch/Hasids there to see the fire blazing/movies and TV forbidden/ so this is the show to watch/ police cars, smoke, and fireman quite amazing"

Fave tracks include “Everyone Must Fail”, “Peoplewatching”, “Extra Ordinary” and “Fire on Hutchinson Street”.

Lots of fun wordplay! Forget the Grammy, Socalled's "gonna wait for the whole Ounce-y."

Amazon has the album here: http://amzn.to/1NJcHcz

Mames Babegenush: Mames Babegenush

This a gorgeous klezmer project from Denmark. It's a nice pop/klez hybrid with Balkan overtones and an experimental bent. The band also cites influences from Michael Jackson, Brian Eno, and Phillip Glass.

I liked this one. The musicianship and arrangements are superb! 

Fave tracks include"Isortok Nights", "La Loteria en Babylonia","Hanganu", and "Gathering Nigun", but the whole thing is excellent!

Sergio Mendes - Magic

This Grammy nominated album has no Jewish content whatsoever, but is nevertheless a fun album. Nice Latin piano/keys from Sergio Mendes, mainly on upbeat dance collaborations with various guest vocalists. Bossa/Samba/jazz/dance pop.Not the sort of album I typically get here for review, but fun nonetheless.

Fave tracks include "Simbora", "Don't Say Goodbye" (featuring John Legend), and "Samba de Roda".

Amazon has the album here: http://amzn.to/1HGNMQm

Learning Mishna Rocks!

A Message from Israeli Border Patrol to Terrorists

Who Needs Waze?

Henry Rollins Driving App Tells You How Hard It Would Have Been To Get There In The 80’s

This Oughtta Convince 'Em!

Although, the idea of using songs rather than teshuvot does intrigue. Hmm....

Listen Up?

Over at Jew in the City: Can Orthodox Jews Listen To Secular Music?



Via Torah Musings

Breaking Kenny G. News!!!

Kenny G Plans To Hold One Note On The Sax For An Entire Flight

Support for Israel or Shameless Self-Plugging

I played a gig at a venue which had a stand of Five Towns Jewish Times newspapers. Here is the ENTIRE text/coverage of the rally in Times Square last week in support of Israel that supposedly drew 7000 people according to its organizers as published in the recent edition. Support for Israel or Shameless Self-Plugging by/for musicians? We report, you decide!

Believe It!

Check out what happens at 17:20, that is all! GINDI TLV FASHION WEEK Tovale SHOW 2015



Via Tablet Magazine

Not Hip To Be Skver

חגיגות בסקווירא: ריקודים ושתיית לחיים - בחצרות קודש - בחצרות חסידים - בחדרי חרדים



Public dancing and celebrating in Skver as the arsonist/attempted murderer of a Skver dissident family gets re-classified as a youthful offender -- he was 18 at the time -- and has his seven year sentence reduced to time served.



The singing of this tune in particular "וכל קרני רשעים אגדע תרוממנה קרנות צדיק", "אויביו אלביש בושת ועליו יציץ נזרו", (it's the first one in this clip) is just offensive!

Hatikvah In Depth

Hatikvah: Conceptions, Receptions and Reflections

Wolf Krakowski: Di Nekht Fun Amol (Those Nights)

A Commentary on Palestinian Snuff Songs

A Pop Culture That Fuels Jew Hatred

Can U Hear It?

Via Life in Israel

PSA: J-Walking

Don't confuse this J-Walking with this J-Walking, despite the similar album art. They are VERY different!

Jerusalem Is Bleeding

In the NY Times... Palestinian Anger in Jerusalem and West Bank Gets a Violent Soundtrack

Nice Tablet Piece on Ha'Paytan

Israel’s New Reality TV Sensation Is Good for Your Soul.

Simply Beautiful

Check out this Chabad nigunim project!



תרבות - כשהכפפה מתאימה ליד פעמיים ברצף - ביקורת אלבום

"3 Day Yuntif" Makes Some Noise

Yitzchok Meir Malek

Here's an odd one...



Yitzchak Meir Malek posted this video of him singing Shema Yisrael as a call to prayer on his Facebook page, where it has received over 10,000 shares, 9,900+likes and 1,400 comments thus far.











He's also posted a news article about his singing: WATCH What This American Israeli Singer Did To Teach Muslims A Lesson About God And Jerusalem.



Setting apart the question of whether this is an appropriate response or not, here is a larger issue here. Nowhere in the post or article does it indicate that it's not his voice. An awful lot of people have commented complimenting him on his voice and he hasn't acknowledged it there either, as far as I can tell. It's pretty dishonest for a singer to put something out, representing or implying that its his singing, and not clarifying that it isn't him, when so many obviously are taken in. It is insulting to his listeners, to all of those vocalists who work hard at their craft, and, of course, to the singer whose work he lifted without attribution.



Here's the clip he used, which was posted to YouTube in 2007. The singer in the track is unidentified.

Cool Israeli Piyut Show

Check it out! A Piyut-based American Idol  style TV show in Israel just finished its first season.

Zeyer Sheyn, Lipa!

Now that's what I'm talking about!

P.J. O'Rourke Schools Ann Coulter

She Said What?



Money quote is the closer.... "But at least Louie and Steve tried to be smart. And thank God—specifically YHWH—for the few, the very few, the chosen if you will, people in Toledo who tried. Who tried to cheer the Freedom Riders, tried to debate the ideas of Herman Kahn, tried to get to Chicago to see Lenny Bruce at the Gate of Horn, tried to read Herbert Marcuse and Eric Hoffer, and tried to dig Thelonious Monk.

Ann, I understand you’re a fan of Phish."

Ya'aleh Tachanunaynu - Schizophonia

Dr. Dreizich is Back!

He only had one song, but it's a good one...



"Last week in yeshiva I gave a chaburah.... to anyone who didn't come to my chaburah."

Selichos With Lipa Blogged

"Selichos With Lipa" at The Book of Doctrines and Opinions:

‫חנן בן ארי & איזי - אדון הסליחות

Awesome!

‫



Full version here: https://youtu.be/XuMjCRlAmjc

The Bayit Selichot Concert with Dr. Elli Kranzler

A Killing Version of Hora Mamtera by Danny Zamir and Yoni Rechter.

Amazing Footage of Yosi Piamenta Z"L

Lipa On Women Shaving Their Heads.

Ladies, Don't Shave Your Heads!

A Logical Improvement

Alchemy synth is now a part of Logic Pro X



And it's a free upgrade!!!!

Yosi Piamenta Z"L

Jewish rock guitarist Yosi Piamenta passed away this week.



Here's the first of a series of videos of a great show he played at Wetlands in the mid 90's



Yosi Piamenta live at "Rock for Shabbos" at the Wetlands 10 24 94 part 1



Here's some writing about him at Tablet and the Forward...



Rocker Yosi Piamenta, Who Wowed Crowds with His Soulful Electric Licks for Four Decades, Dies at 64



Yosi Piamenta, a Virtuoso Guitarist Who Reshaped Jewish Music

Hankus Netsky Profiled

Hankus Netsky in Hadassah Magazine.

Aaron Alexander's Klez Messengers

Check it out! Nicely done, boys!



Aaron Alexander, Michael Winograd & Patrick Farrell | Aaron Alexander & the Klez Messengers

The Title Says It All

Streaming Music is Ripping You Off — Cuepoint — Medium

Oy, Jewschool!

Meanwhile, over at Jewschool, Daniel Sieradski posts an anti-Matisyahu screed, "Thoughts on Matisyahu and BDS." Personally, I think Sieradski ought to have mentioned that he had a close relationship with Matisyahu, including designing websites for him when Matisyahu was starting out. That would also be the time that Matisyahu was performing in "Unity sessions" with anti-Israel Palestinian rappers.



At the very least, it'd have been intellectually honest for Sieradski disclose this in his piece. Update: Check the comments too. Even Jewschoolers ain't buying Sieradski's nonsense.

Vox-Splains Matisyahu

The Matisyahu Israel boycott controversy, explained 

Time for Matisyahu

The Problem With Disinviting Jewish Rapper Matisyahu From a Concert in Spain

What A Twisted Geveb We Weave

Ironic Inversions: Rare Soviet Yiddish Songs of WWII | In geveb

Spain Still Hates Jews

Spanish fest cancels Matisyahu gig over refusal to endorse Palestinian state

That's My Jam!

‫שירת העשבים השוטים- רינת גוטמן מארחת את המסיח‬‎

Ortho-rapper Rinat Gutman is back and she's mad!

More on Lipa

Vos Iz Neias: Israeli Radio Station Bans Lipa New Song “Bueh, Bueh”



This quote could easily be applied to this project. "Schmeltzer noted that while Jews tend to be trailblazers in many fields, they tend to settle for second best when it comes to the arts."

More Lipa Controversy

Life in Israel: Lipa pushes the envelope, possibly scoffing at Rav Chaim Kanievsky.


Seems manufactured to me. At any rate, now having heard several tracks off the new album, I'm definitely not a fan of this stuff. I can appreciate good EDM, but this isn't it. It's formulaic, no interesting timbres, solos, or arrangements. A shame, because if Lipa wanted to do the EDM thing right, he could've hired top EDM producers easily enough.

This Song Will Give you A Lift!

Life in Israel has the details

We Love Lipa, But...

... his current musical direction is not compelling. See for yourself here: Lipa’s New CD Set For Release – New Single

Sean Altman is Mourning John Stewart

Avraham Fried Greit Zich! אברהם פריד גרייט זיך – Single

Avraham Fried Greit Zich! אברהם פריד גרייט זיך – Single

Levy Falkowitz Debut Album Sampler

A lot of new Chasidic albums being released this season. This one sounds like it might be a nice hybrid of trad. and contemporary stylings. Falkowitz is a very good singer.

When Dumb and Dumber Taught Seminary

How a Student Schooled the Principal on Hilchos Shabbos: Part 1 | Tales Out of Bais Yaakov

 

How a Student Schooled the Principal on Hilchos Shabbos: Part 2 | Tales Out of Bais Yaakov

Ouch! Sending The Band Home!

Watch a club owner kick Finley Quaye off stage during a sucky performance.

Rav Henkin on Carlebach Minyanin - Torah Musings

Over at Torah Musings... Rav Henkin on Carlebach Minyanim and other musical davening thoughts.

The OU Likes Tablet K

Lipa Schmeltzer Can't Stop. Won't Stop.

A Day in the Life...

...of Lipa Schmeltzer, Ex-Ultra-Orthodox Celebrity.

Squeezed!

Take her to the bridge, throw her overboard... How Squeeze seized the keys to their back catalogue.

Notation Notions

Interesting... To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade? A Notation Software Update

Senior Set List

Played a dinner for a shul with a largely senior population.



They requested line dancing.



Here's the request list.

Shalom Aleichem - Regesh

Turkish Kiss

Hinei Ma Tov - MBC

Hafachta - Avraham Fried

Chiribim - Oif Simchas

Adan Doeg - Avraham Fried

Revach - MBC

Numa Numa

Electric Slide

Rashi's Nigun - MBD

Hadegel Sheli

Adone Olam - MBC

Cotton-eyed Joe

Am Echad - Ari Goldwag

Fulfill Your Tefilah - Benny Friedman (Never had a request for this one before)



Felt like a Bat Mitzvah. One of the younger (20's) guests came over and requested that we play a game of Coke/Pepsi.

From the mailbag...

Reuven A. Stone writes:

In memory of the Three Boys who were murdered last year in Israel, Shloimy Bluth and I wrote,
recorded and produced a video tribute called "Can You Hear Us," which is now on Youtube.

We humbly submit to you this link in hopes you will post it and keep the memory of these
boys alive.

Thank you!

Finn

An interview with Ben Finn, co-founder of Sibelius [Part 2 of 2]

Why Do I Think There's More To This Story?

Anonymous Ultra Orthodox Contestant Shines on Israel's 'X Factor'

Lack of Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Lipa Schmeltzer:  Now I Know How I’d Answer The New York Times

Holy Rock!

Over at the Wall Street Journal... Israeli Rock Music’s Spiritual New Sound

An Interesting Approach!

A producer started a GoFundMe page so people who pirated the album can pay for it.



Pay for the music you like! by Naftali Schnitzler - GoFundMe

Maybe The Etz Hada'as Was An Apple Tree

Apple Shines Spotlight On Unsigned Artist... Who Doesn't Exist

Bass Kol!

‫"הסנה הבוער מצפת" - שולי רנד מארח את אהרן רזאל‬‎

This Does Not Look Good!

תחקיר: כך ניסה איש עסקים להפיל את הרב ריסקין



Several familiar names show up here. And to think I thought the minor lack of honesty/payment issues I've had to deal with recently from one office were troubling. Ouch!

UPDATE: Some details are at FM, "Top Modern Orthodox Rabbi Files Countersuit Against Enemy," but the entire story is laid out in the Hebrew Makor Rishon investigative article posted above.