Mikol Milamday • Avraham Rosenblum & the Diaspora Yeshiva Band

The original Yid Rocker.

Ashamnu • Shlomo Carlebach

First 2 minutes: awesome intro, awesome nussach. At 2 minutes: Nafshenu chiksa. At 6:35: Niggun Nachamu. At 10:01, cut-off. I think these are two different recordings: 1) Ashamnu and 2) Nafshenu/Nachamu.

B'chol Leebi - Mendy Werdyger

Yay, it's Terrible Tune Tuesday!

At War • Yitzchak Simcha

There are worse recordings out there, I'm sure. Well, I'm not positive. The sick thing is that there are some really promising lyrics in here. Find 'em.

Ani Lo Misugal • Yehuda Glantz

It's taken me all day because there are very many tracks on this recording that are worth sharing. The main point, though, is that the songs on this album are all re-worked (translated, formatted, melodized) teachings of R' Shlomo Carlebach. Which are, in turn, teachings of Judaism with the particular influence of Chassidus.


Exhibit A: One who tells Hashem "Leave me alone. You don't have to watch me constantly." Hashem says: "Biseder gamur, have a nice day!" [As for me:] oy, Aibishter, I can't do this without you.

May You Blessed • 8th Day

aka, Eishes Chayil.



What eventually excited me was the time taken to think about, translate and explain the meaning of "Vatakam b'od layla," in terms of what the actual devotion of a Jewish mother is and how impressive it is.

So, thank you to my Jewish wife, mother of our Jewish daughter, for staying up at night, so I can sing this song to you in the morning. (Do you see what I did there?)

Kichitzim Biyad Gibor • Aaron Razel

One more to drive Peretz off the cliff in search of a little solid rhythm. You'll find it at 3:12.

Niggun Simcha • Akiva ben Horin

The name I have seen countless times... scrolling through my music drive, quickly past the Aidan & Dotan and past Aleichem V'aleinu (Oif Simchos). And this has been sandwiched between those two all these years. Listen to him breathe between fluting. A keyboard cannot well replicate that sound.



And see/hear him in a 1991 recital.

Lihiyot biSIMCHA!!! • Aaron Razel

Mo Oshiv • Avshalom Speed (Harei Yehuda)

We met Harei Yehuda in this post. In short, Abie Rotenberg and friends sang to benefit a mutual friend who was stricken with Parkison's. This is Archibald Heed singing his participation.

R' Michel Zlotchover's Niggun • Israel Edelson

For Yammo, wherever it may be. Good Shabbos!
a

Kol Nidre - Perlman and Helfgott

Can I be the next one to add the HH tag?
The CD is being released by SONY on Sept 4th HaShata.

HT: YA

Nafshenu Katzipor • Aaron Razel

Peretz commented on the non-flow of yesterday's post. It is a family thing.

As I recall, Aaron Razel used to jam on Motza'ei Shabbos in random homes and shuls in Tzfas, 1999. He released a recording that year called "Hasneh bo'er"—the Bush is Burning. It was musically original as an acoustic, Jewish, solo-artist, non-Aderet-distributed act. I think it was also lyrically and conceptually original for its reliance on  story/message scripture in addition to the prayer/praise scripture. Examples are "Tzei min hateiva" "Ha'sneh bo'er" "Hayinu kicholmim."

More recently, Aaron composed "Lev Echad" for Yeedle and "B'inyan hasimcha" for MBD, both "alternative" in music and concept relative to "typical" Super Star Singer Stuff, but always eidel, Jewish and good.

Katonti • Yonatan Razel

Sruly M. emailed this new mellow and melodic track last night.

My first thoughts: Excellent background listen. Potentially excellent period.

As both Razel brothers have separately proven to be thoughtful composers—inspired by and inspiring to the Chassidic soul of life—I am fine with "reading into" this whole thing like a three-part niggun.

The low part is simple and structured, almost simple enough to be any low part on any slow song of any "Smashing New Superstar Singer", but with a few note-twists that remind me of JEP (hear 1:05).

Often, a slow start from a proven musician is a sign of a great punchline to come. Indeed, besides for the fact that the composer called this song "Katonti", I think it is about "Hatzileni Na." These words are where the emotion and prayer come in. As if to say "it's true that I feel meritless; and it's true that I may be meritful; but Save me on Your terms, G-d!"

Following the prayer is the self-assurance, "Ki chasdecha gadol"—You have saved me before and You will hold me again. Orchestra, gospel, understated but very full.

Hear here.

Your thoughts?

Ki Anu Amecha • Israel Edelson

And we blessed Chodesh Elul. Here is the first HH tag of the season :)

A gutten EREV Erev Shabbos!

In the final minutes of 1442, I say: thank you for your love, your warmth, and all your music. See you on Monday, bez"h! Meshane makom, meshaneh mazal litova vilivrocha!

a

Jo Amar: Yismach Moshe

Yevarechecha Medley • Avraham Fried Live in Israel

Great songs. Great singing. Ah, the good old Fried!

Adon Olam • Yehuda Glantz (Traditional)

Which reminds me...

Adon Olam - Sruli Ginsburg

Perfectly Pleasant. Well done Guy I Never Heard Of!

Yehuda Green • Holy Brothers (Tayre Brider)

Three-of-three. PUMP IT, BROTHA!


Also, I found an actively publishing blog with fewer clicks than ours! (Checked their Sitemeter for fun.) Check our Shmeeze.com for cool yellow, cooler yellow on highlight, and several excellent posts.

Good Shabbos!

The Return • Avraham Fried

The second of the First-Rate songs that I referenced yesterday. After davening, I was apparently humming the intro to this song. "Dijon" commented that "this intro is one of the best intros in Jewish music period. It is it's own song!" And I thought, Yeaah. It kinda is and it kinda is.

But it wasn't yesterday's Shir Shel Yom.

Binu Bo'arim • Yitzchak Fuchs

This is the first of three #1 blockbusting songs that came to mind this morning. But it's the only one that is from today's Shir Shel Yom.



Now let's hope I both remember and still love the other two when it comes down to it...