Ribono Shel Olam (Sefiras Haomer) • Yossele Rosenblatt via Meir Boruch Kohn

Not a bad effort for a sleeping Chazzan.



But in serious: It seems he is singing it to someone over the phone, hence, the lazy look. I recommend checking out on YouTube. Very pleasant, full voice.

Niggun R' Zalman Zatapolski • Various

"Rabbi Tuvia Bolton is a fascinating person; not your typical artist, by any means."

So begins the completely absorbing interview between JewishMusicReport.com writer "Hislahavus" and Rabbi Tuvia Bolton. In it, R' Tuvia delivers a raw peek into his soul-journey and the niggun that hooked him.

Album cover photo for "Gaaguim" by Miri Davidovitz 

Eventually, in 1971, I met up with a chassid named R’ Itche Meir Kagan. And he took me to the Rebbe. I lived in Detroit, and we drove 12 hours to New York. I went into the farbrengen, that Shabbos. I heard them sing a niggun when I went in, called the Niggun of R’ Zalman Zlatopolsky...

I heard this nigun, and it knocked me out. READ MUCH MORE

It truly is a knock-out niggun. And to think "they didn't used to sing this niggun at Farbregens." But a young Jew was itching to be knocked out.

With a humble request to R' CK to please share what you can about this story from the Detroit end.

Full niggun sung by R' Dovid Horowitz (two complete versions with Yiddish explanation before each). 

TTT :: Al Aileh • Amudei Shais

Great song, exceptional performance!

Monday Matchup :: Simple Isn't Easy • Lipa/Shloime Gertner

In the first, struggle-riddled song, Lipa describes how hard it is walk the walk. "I may not be the best...but I do try my best... The army's chef is still in the army... I'm not the greatest but I am trying hard; 'Tatty! Help me when I try!'"



In the second, reflective-mellow song, Shloime Gertner asserts that the Master of the world appreciates simple, honest steadfastness. "Oy, Riboin haoilomim, heint b'acharis hayumim... Oh G-d, today, the way we live, it's really hard to be wholesome...but I'll do what I can"

Plot twist: They're both by Lipa ;)

A Night of Peace and Joy • Benny Friedman

Here is where we thank Benny for his fun and freilach collection of classic Shabbos feelings. And the wonderful Sruly Meyer for pulling it together (thanks for the liner notes shout-out to SSY and its editors!) And Michoel Muchnik for drawing pictures of G-d.

Good Shabbos.

Won't you join us HERE?

Akiva • Yom Tov Ehrlich/Avraham Fried

What happened to the child born at 1:32? I don't think he showed up to the Great Parade at the end of the song.

If I would have the time,*
I'd sit and write a rhyme,
For the English words to Akiva!
Akiva, Akiva, Akiva.

*and talent.

Ohr Chodosh • Tzlil Vezemer with Avraham Fried

Israel, circa 1989.

TTT :: We Want Moshiach Now • Piamenta

Of course it hurts to put the title and performer up here. But alas, terrible is no good.

Working from memory, this recording was a low-budget non-Yosi production by Avi, some synthesizers, some flute interludes and some rock-and-roll samples. No good. Especially for Piamenta.

Monday Matchup :: Adon Olam • MBD/Zalman Levin MiNevel

From MBD & Friends, 1999

MBD with Friends, but not the ones singing.

From Zalman Levin & Friends, waaaaaay before 1999

Google says.

Yismechu Hashamayim • Eli Lipskier with child soloist Avraham Fried

Good Shabbos friends. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth itself dance in the knowledge of The King.
אלקות איז פלאם פייער!

Good Shabbos, Good Shabbos,
COME SING WITH US!

Ilan, Ilan • The Shabbaton Choir

Just, ya know, just ignore the drooping mic and drooping eyes and focus on the kid's voice. (He isn't trying to put you to sleep.)

Never Give Up • Safam

1993 - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

TTT :: Shehecheyonu • Amit Listvand

Now, we know about the dangers of blaming the victim. A delicate child cannot be expected to analyze, decide and act in the same way that a thoughtful adult can. Can young and vulnerable Amit be blamed for the hideous screeching he was forced to perform for his handlers? *shudder*

Monday Matchup :: Vha'arev Na • Berry Weber/MBD

"Generations", from SethKayeBlog.com

Berry Weber

MBD. I used to think this was the best song that MBD ever recorded. Now I just think it is spectacular. From The Double Album, Disc 2.

The Rebbe of Lublin • Journeys II

An income lesson,
From the soul of Moshe Yess,
Who understood things.

DISCLAIMER: This song is not about the Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz pictured, who is a mechanech from Monsey, New York. It is about his probable namesake, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, "The Chozeh", of Lublin, Poland.

NEW! Ker a Velt • 8th Day

Translated: Those crazy enough to think they can improve the world are the ones who do. So if you're crazy and you know it, just change the world.



This track was pre-released some months ago to benefit a good cause.

It is imperative to remind oneself of the source and implications of the phrase.  Ker a Velt heint!

One of the most famous and emotional moments remembered since the Rebbe became Rebbe on 10 Shvat in 1951.

Let's each do one extra "crazy" action by nightfall that shifts the world a tiny bit closer to the right spot. This Shabbos is the 53rd anniversary of Yud Shvat.

TTT :: Be a Mentch

Yerachmiel Begun 
and the miami boys choir

Two extra points if you can place the source of this picture. Use the commenting feature to comment.

Monday Matchup :: Der Rebbe Zol Gezunt Zein

HT: Yitz

Lecha Dodi • Yisroel Werdyger

If his smile (left) didn't convince you, be warmed by that of the great Sruly Meyer (center). Good shabbos!

This song and others are playing LIVE NOW on
the great Shir Shel Shabbos!

How great!

NEW! Never Afraid • 8th Day

We're well acquainted with the 8th Day song-mushing formula: Chassidishe Vort, check, good rhyme and rhythm, check, farbrengen explanation, nor vos?.

So, from their minutes-ago-released recording "Hooleh", here is my "let me hear that again" selection. Full review to maybe come.



ROSH CHODESH BONUS!
We're streaming a short collection of Hallel Hits right here.