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Eight CDs for Eight Nights
The 2001 Chanukah Gift Guide
http://www.jewishworldreview.com --
They are round, shiny, and popular. But CDs don't melt like chocolate coins
--- and they have fewer calories. To give the gelt without the guilt, try the
gift of music!
RICK RECHT: SHABBAT ALIVE!
ACHINOAM "NOA" NINI/GIL DOR: FIRST COLLECTION
DIASPORA: THE DIASPORA COLLECTION
SAM GLASER: THE SONGS WE SING
PHILIP DON/RUBY HARRIS: TZALEL NAFSHI
Harris is
a one-man string section, playing up to four instruments on one track. And
on other tracks, he plays the harmonica and even does a dramatic reading.
This is a tough but ultimately rewarding album, made with acoustic
instruments and a lot of loving care.
PAUL ZIM: SHABBAT IS HERE
SHIRONA: JUDAIC LOVE SONGS (LOVE SONGS TO THE CREATOR)
RUTH WIEDER MAGAN: SONGS TO THE INVISIBLE G-D
Ruth Wieder Magan (no relation) sings cantorial works composed by the great
classical Jewish arrangers. The only sound on the entire album is Magan's
haunting voice. The works are beautiful, but can be challenging, even
frightening at times (both her parents survived the Holocaust). But all are
enshrouded in the embrace of the Schina, the very Presence of G-d. Songs to
the Invisible G-d is the more difficult of the two, but also the more
profound.
By Paul Wieder
You don't want to miss Recht. With his
voice, guitar, and charisma, he's held his own with every oxymoron from
Vertical Horizon to Supertramp. Rick Recht transmits spirituality, social
conscience, and a sheer love of Judaism... all in an irresistible
rock-n-roll package. His is the sound of America's Jewish youth - happy,
strong, and blessed with boundless potential. Shabbat Alive! is his second
Jewish release, and another can't-ignore-it work.
Israel's most brilliant musical jewel today is Noa. Born in Israel to
Yemenite parents and raised in New York, Noa's music is anchored, as she
says, on "both sides of the sea." Her first all-Hebrew anthology, First
Collection, arrived this year. The album chronicles a decade of her music -
from a single guitar to the Israeli Philharmonic. But the centerpiece is
that voice, sparkling as silver and warm as gold. If you've ever enjoyed
Noa's concerts, all her best stuff is right here.
Founded at the Diaspora Yeshiva by rock-loving students in the late '70s,
Diaspora created the Jewish rock genre, now reaching a new plateau. The
Diaspora Collection is a two-CD set that captures the history of the band.
It proves Diaspora's claim as the seminal Jewish rock band... and also the
greatest Jewish country band ever, thanks to Avraham Rosenblum's rangy
guitar and Ruby Harris's down-home fiddle and mandolin. Come discover the
favorite band you never knew.
We've always sung Adon Olam, Tumbalalaika, and Erev Shel Shoshanim. But
we've never heard them the Sam Glaser way. A tireless, gifted producer,
Glaser established the annual Jewish Song Festival that helped launch many
careers. An engaging performer, Glaser combines old-fashioned haymishness
with state-of-the-art technology. Here, he re-imagines Jewish favorites as
rock, blues, and reggae numbers. In The Songs We Sing, Glaser explains why
this music has endured: it always sings to the current generation.
The title song won an international Jewish music competition, and is
featured in the Oscar-winning documentary The Long Way Home. Encompassing
American, European, and Israeli music, Tzalel Nafshi features the words and
voice of Philip Don and the compositions and music of Ruby Harris.
Zim's latest, Shabbat is Here, is a Chanukah present you can open every
Friday afternoon. Zim makes children's albums their parents won't tune out.
Featuring Zim's big, warm voice, the CD uses his usual magical mix of
styles, instruments, and comedy... and a back-up group powered by
presweetened cereal. Although this he passed his thirtieth release some time
ago, Zim is very up-to-date, as evidenced by The Tot Shabbat Song.
Two takes on the same idea: a woman with a plush yet soaring voice singing
love songs to G-d.
But here the similarities end. Shirona writes her own material, based in
scripture and liturgy, and backs it with lush instrumentation. Her debut
release evidences Eastern European and Middle Eastern, but also Celtic,
influences. Like the jewelry Shirona designs, the tone is elegant and
golden. One track, "Ki Elecha," is so moving, it has become a wedding march.
As a whole, Judaic Love Songs is a spiritually uplifting experience.
Whether you eat your latkes with sour cream or applesauce, make sure to eat
them with
JWR contributor Paul Wieder is a public relations associate at the Jewish United Fund and a columnist for
JUF News. Contact the author or the magazine by either clicking here, or calling (312) 444-2853.