A Heavenly Voice

Peter Himmelman on the antisemitism at Coachella.

It Don't Mean A Thing...

says Rabbi Greenspan. 

Rabbi Greenspan and Thank You Hashem

Rabbi Greenspan's first(?) collab with TYH Nation - Yum Yum 

Music Inspired/Composed/Performed by Hostages and Chayalim

I haven't seen anyone assemble the numerous inspirational songs/performances that have come out of the tragedy, so here's a list of songs that speak to me. I'm sure I've missed some. Please send in any you think I should add. 

Am Yisrael Chai - Eyal Golan - no explanation needed.

Gam Ki Elech - Composed by Yossi Hershkovitz HY'D Yossi was a soldier who composed this song in the field and was tragically killed. Avraham Fried has covered this song as well.

Acheinu by Lior Narkis - This deceptively complex melody resonates.

B'derech Emunah Bacharti - Moshe Peretz - A beautiful song inspired by freed hostage Agam Berger's message which she held up on a whiteboard as she was being flown back from Gaza.

Drishat Shalom MeChayim Acherim - Idan Reichel A retelling of the incredible connection hostage Sagi Dekel Chen and his wife Avital had while he was in captivity. They shared dreams. Here's a powerful video about the inspiration behind the song.

Beyachad Nenatzeach - Avraham Tal & Lior Narkis

Zeh B'seder - Beniah Berabi

And while this is not a "new" song, this  Concert Moledet remake of Yardena Arazi's Habaita is so, so powerful.

Mei'afeilah Le'orah!

Freed hostage Sagi Dekel Chen recorded a version of Keren Shemesh  weeks after being released.

BD'E - Shiri, Ariel & Kfir Bibas HY"D

The Jerusalem Post reports on the music Yarden Bibas chose to be played at the Bibas' funeral today.

BDE - Benzion Miller Z"L

Saddened to report that Chazzan Benzion Miller Z"L has died. 

Ishay Ribo Interviewed

Interesting Ishay Ribo profile.

Keeping the Faith in the IDF

 Mendel Roth, son of the Shomer Emunim Rebbe enlists in the IDF today and releases a song, "Ani Ratz Lakrav".
ראיתי עם עתיק שחידש את נעוריו נלחם כמו אריה ומשמיד את כל אויביו ראיתי איך בורא עולם שומר בניו אשרי העם הזה שאלו ילדיו שמעתי יש לי אח שלוחם למען אחיו משפחה גם עבודה שנה שלמה עזב ראיתי עם גיבור שיש לו לב זהב והרמתי דגל, אני רץ לקרב כמו דוד המלך כמו שמשון הגיבור כמו הפרטיזנים, שלחמו למען האור כמו המכבים, שניצחו את היוונים אני רץ ללחום להגן על יהודים אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ הנני אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ הנני ובין חורבות ובין סלעים רצים שם לוחמים ילדים של עם חזק הוא שמש העמים והם פותחים ת׳דרך בשירת גבורה אריה שואג בדרך ומי לא יירא ובין כותלי בית המדרש הבזיק בי אור חזק דם אחיי נשפך כמים שם ליבי צעק שמעתי כאבו ראיתי דמעותיו וליבי היכה בי, אני רץ לקרב כמו דוד המלך כמו שמשון הגיבור כמו הפרטיזנים, שלחמו למען האור כמו המכבים, שניצחו את היוונים אני רץ ללחום להגן על יהודים אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ הנני אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ אני רץ הנני ראיתי עם עתיק שחידש את נעוריו נלחם כמו אריה ומשמיד את כל אויביו ראיתי איך בורא עולם שומר בניו אשרי העם הזה שאלו ילדיו

Bageled

The general concept of "bageling" involves someone who isn't obviously Jewish looking identifying themselves to someone who is, not by saying "I'm Jewish too", but rather, by casually dropping a cultural signifier into their approach. For example, saying "boy, that bagel I ate for breakfast hit the spot", "do you know where I can find a good feli around here?" or "Shabbat Shalom" (on a Tuesday). I've noticed a similar musician-specific dynamic as well, particularly in the Yeshivish world..

A few recent examples:

1)

Me: <setting up to play a Bar Mitzvah breakfast at a Yeshiva>
Rebbi 1 to Rebbe 2 commenting loudly in front of me about my gear: RCF, pssshhh, they make the best speakers... etc.

2)

Guy in store who'd clearly been at the public concert I'd played down the road: "You have a 4X?"
Me: A 5X, actually.
Guy: "No one in Lakewood is using those yet."

3)

Guy: <places two-year-old on stage post-show while we are obviously breaking down the gear>
Me: Please take him off the stage, I don't want him to get hurt.
Guy: "It's ok. He knows how to behave around music and sound gear."

People, how about being normal and just saying "Hi! My name is x and I play x?"

Chanuka-pella!

From the Y-Studs... a Jackson 5 Chanukah! 

From Six13... a Wicked Chanukah!

From the Maccabeats... a Wicked anthem!

Happy Chanukah!

from Tower of Power!!! 

Od Yoter....

I suppose this was inevitable...

עוד יותר רע!

Pasken First, Assess The Case Afterwards

This keeps happening!  Rabbis need to stop taking positions based on either ignorance or impression without investigating who/what/why and talking to both sides of an issue before deciding. They don't even know what they don't know.

Additionally, this is a stupid excuse, because if the content is not objectionable, then it shouldn't matter whether or not he thought the songwriter was Chiloni. Sad.

Heartbreaking Superheroes

 No words.

And Even More Tov...

Apropo of yesterday's post... 

Divide and Conquer

Od Yoter Tov Ve....Od Yoter Tov!

Royz, Royz, Vi Vayt Bisti

Over at the Forward... Riki Rose, Yiddish rock star. 

Singer Mendel Roth Is Joining Tzahal.

 Chasidic singer, Mendel Roth, the son of the Shomer Emunim Rebbe is joining Tzahal.

Shirei Eretz Yisrael

Found where I want to live in Israel! 

BD'E - Rav Aviezer Wolfson

 Saddened to report the passing of Rav Aviezer Wolfson, the composer of the well-known Mah Ashiv many of us sing in shul.

BD'E. Yigal Calek Z"L

BD'E, Yigal Calek has died. 

No hedpeidim on Chol Hamoed.

Baruch Dayan Emes - Chatzi Katz Z"L

 Sad to hear of the sudden passing of singer Chatzi Katz Z"L on Rosh Hashana.

Baruch Dayan Emes.

Sheitel-Wearing To Save Her Life

 Eden Golan wore a sheitel in Malmo.

Like many frum women, she wore a blonde wig despite being a brunette.

Jill Biden Demanded Her Own Theme Song

 Ha ha ha!

She really did!

And it's terrible.

Jew With Horns - Tower of Power Edition

 

Hamas Does Kiruv

Seriously. 

When "Ki Mala'ah Ha'aretz Hamas" = " Ki Mala'ah Ha'aretz Dei'ah Es Hashem."

My Heart Is Crying

The Illustrated Hostage Diary of Moran Stella Yanai

"The Song"

One day I caught a bacterial infection in my intestines. It felt like I had a fever of 40 degrees Celsius. On the first day, I vomited and had diarrhea that drained my life away. I had 20 milliliters of water that they gave me for two days, and I vomited that, too, so my body became even more dehydrated. On the second day, imagine a corpse. My head was slumped on the mattress. I said, this is it, I'm going to die like this. This is hat's going to happen. In my mind, I was already saying goodbye. And we had this thing with their radio. Obviously, we didn't listen to the radio, but when the terrorists would scan through the stations, sometimes they would come across an Israeli station. The door was open. On of them came in with his radio, and he saw me with my head slumped, and as he entered, I heard :Hear Israel, you are the omnipotent..." [From the song "When the Heart Cried" by Sarit Hadad].

Do you know what kind of smile that gave me? And then we remembered the song's end is : "Make it end, for no more strength is left within me." I didn't agree to say that, so I changed the lyrics to: "For I have plenty of Strength! For I have plenty of strength!" and I recovered."

 

Rimon's Song

Via the Jerusalem Post.

מונח עד שיבא אליהו

 

Vehi She'amdah

 

Bimei Matisyahu

 

Ein Lanu Al Mi Lismoch

 

Modzits, er, Skver, er, Belz... er...

This song is credited to Modzits/Skver, but it should really be Belz, er,  Belf.

 

Stand Up To Hate - Etz Chayim

 

Jingle Belz!

Tis the season. Election season, that is!

 

Ta'am Gan Eden

 

The worst ever remake of Guns & Roses' " Paradise City"... Here's "Bnei Brak City".

BD'E - Rebbe Alter

Sad to share that Rebbe Alter has died. His music was catchy, educational, and he was one of a small handful of artists (Uncle Moishy and Marvelous Middos Machine being two others) whose work has had consistent staying power and resonance over the years.

His hits include "Pharoah in Pajamas", "Aish Is Fire", and the "Afikoman Song" (setting it to the melody of Shomrim Hafked was an ironic touch that I assume was intentional).

He educated generations of Jewish children and his songs will continue his legacy. Yehei zichro baruch.

Goings On in The Shtetl

1) Hasidic musicians face controversy over pro-Israel messages and appearances 

2) Hasidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer responds to controversy around his performances for IDF soldiers

Ashreichem

Over at the Seforim Blog... Ashreichem

 

Lipa Gets Cancelled

 Been a while since Lipa was cancelled.

I'm not impressed with much of what he's done since A Poshiter Yid, which was brilliant, and consider him to be a largely irrelevant figure on the Jewish music stage these days. 

That said, this reflects his better side. Shame on Satmar! Their rebbes (both of them) had the sense to condemn Neturei Karta publicly these past weeks. This is an embarrassment for them.

Oyfn Veg

About Yiddish Music 

Yehoram Gaon - Tefilat Haderech

 

Black-listed!

 

Bibi Sings!

Mi Shebeirach 

Reporting A Rapist!

Singer Baryo Chakshur has released a song that accuses Chasidic pop music producer Sruly Broncher of raping a friend of his. He is also helping his friend press charges.







More here (in Hebrew):

 

Rappin' Rebbe

 

Lecha Noa Lidrosh

Noa Kirel teaches about tolerance. 

Esa Einai?

 

Beautiful Tribute to R' Michoel Schnitzler Z"L

 

Aviv Higiya

Fascinating Psak re: Aveilus on Yom Ha'atz,aut for an Israeli Rock star. 

Aviv Gefen's mid-life change of direction over the past few years has been inspiring.

BD"E - R' Michoel Schnitzler

 I'm sad to share the news of the untimely passing of R' Michoel Schnitzler, Z"L.

Michoel Shnitzler, Musician And Singer, Passes Away Suddenly At 62

Special Delivery for Pesach!

 

Ani Ma'amin

 

Not Beri, Weber

Over at Tablet... Torah Changes Everything 

Your Mama!!!

 

Cancel Culture I Approve Of

https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-732677 

A Nice Secret

 

Veeeehaones.....

Ok, everyone, lets sing all together now! 


Seriously, though, this is lovely!

Mikvah Anxiety Is Real!

 

If You Ban It, They Will Come!

Nice turnout at banned London concert! 

Rav Rap Battle

Adam vs. Adam Rap Battle 

Zos Ve'od

More on the UK concert ban. 

Reshuim Arurim

 Now they're making Yiddish Black Metal!

Bracha Levatalah

 

Banned in the UK

FoF (Fear of Female) Singers) 

It's A Banner Day!

This is why we can't have nice things! 

Crystal Clear

Fascinating interview w/Billy Crystal. 

From the mailbag...

 E. emails a link to this article about Ofra Haza being named one of the top 200 singers of all time by Rolling Stone.

Been A While Since I Posted A Ban...

Lakewood Rabbis set to ban 24/6 Jewish Music App 


Yeah, Spotify and YouTube algorithms are much better... SMH.

Kol B'Isha Raza

Over at Tablet... A Woman's Voice 

Winston Marshall Is

Winston Marshall has no regrets leaving Mumford & Sons after getting 'canceled': 'I'm liberated' | Fox News

Rav Mo Takes On University

 

MBC Fad

Fabulous article about the MBC on TikTok. 

X-Factor to Chief Chazzan

In the Jerusalem Post... X-Factor to Chief Chazzan 

B'siyata Dishmaya

A thoughtful perspective by Jonathan Paley on the MBC TikTok phenomenon.

Why Weren't YOU Zusha?

 

Finally Relevant Again

MBC on TikTok! 

From the mailbag... (Shana Tova edition)

 Hi,

There is a new Jewish song. 

Avraham Gottlieb - Birosh Hashana 

https://youtu.be/K3-t-nhwpnk

I would love it if you could post it. 

Thanks,

Yoey

Vesolachta La'avonam Ki Rabbonim Heim

Rabbis Against Musical Selichos

Horsing Around!

Tradition? Tradition!

Vulpeck in Tradition!

Why Weren't You Zusha?

Aleh mentshen tantz yetst!

Teshuvah!

Via Life in Israel 

Techias Hameysim

Over at NPR...      Musician Jeremiah Lockwood revives cantorial music with a new album

Shenirea Kol Echod Ma'alas Country Yossi...

Adderabbi:  Parody and Pathos: The Art of Country Yossi (draft version) | Elli Fischer - Academia.edu

Gotta Hand It To Her

Over at Kikar Shabbat... U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides' comments on Yuval Dayan's Performance

This is super important and puts paid to those arguing she was disrespectful to President Biden. It's clear that the President and administration did not view it that way at all. In fact, I consider this rare video response to be an attempt by Ambassador to encourage religious tolerance, and I think the administration should be commended for it.

Putting The Fun In Funeral

Give Her A Hand!

Over at VIN... Amazing Background Story Of Newly Religious Singer Who Refused To Shake Biden's Hand

Lipa Schmeltzer in Black and White

Lawsuit Incoming...

Lawsuit against late singer and musician('s estate).

Classic (Rock)

Shwekey Tribute to Piamenta

It's lovely that Shwekey tributed Yossi Piamenta Z"L. However, it's a shame that he didn't include more of Yossie and Avi's original music in this medley, like any of the songs off of "Mitzvah" for example. Instead, it's mainly focused on the (mostly) secular songs they adapted.

It's also a shame that the original artists for (most of) those songs aren't acknowledged. Kol Hamesameach is "Turkish Kiss" by Tarkan and Asher Bara is "Land Down Under" by Men at Work. Siman Tov is partially credited. The original track title is "Jungle" by Kongas feat. Cerrone. I don't know the original title for Yaala Mashiach, but I believe that's an adaptation as well.

He's Gonna Ask To Sit In At Every Wedding Too!

Pearl Jam gig saved by teen as band's drummer gets COVID-19

Tabled!

B"H. 

Chasan Who Fell Off Table And Was Seriously Injured Recovers Consciousness, Starts Walking And Talking 

Leonard Cohen's Songs of the Yom Kippur War - Tablet Magazine

Over at Tablet... Leonard Cohen's Songs of the Yom Kippur War.

Mendel Roth Is Looking For Love With A Yiddishe Maidel

Yom Ha'atzmaut Songs For Everybody

Finally  found Yom Ha'atzmaut rep that Chareidim will go for too... Kinos for Herzl

Israeli musician, David Broza's new 'tefila' album - Israel Culture - The Jerusalem Post

Israeli musician, David Broza's new 'tefila' album

The Maccabeats Up Their Game!