Shim Craimer

Hi All,
Sorry for the delay in updating. I figured that post-Pesach and pre-Lag B’Omer, there would not be that much interest in musical matters. But now with Lag B’omer behind us, I figured it’s time to reconnect. So here goes.
I want to talk about Shim Craimer. So for those of you who are not familiar w/Shim (although I don’t see how that is possible at this point in time) let me tell you that from the very first time we met years ago, even before he moved to these shores, I was struck by his very extensive knowledge of many musical styles and genres. Not only does he possess an astonishing vocal quality and range, he actually performs a more diverse and varied repertoire than anyone that I know. Why do I bring this up now? Shim has just released his new CD “Nashir B”Yachad.” I have been spending some time with it, and while I have been hearing parts of it along the way. This is the first time I am experiencing it as a complete entity.
Since I’m not a fan of reviews that offer non-stop accolades of “superlative,” “simply the best,” “first and only” and all that jazz, let me begin by saying that I may be a bit critical of many current Jewish music trends. I do not always agree with the matching of certain musical treatments with certain religious texts, and some of my problems with those songs stem from that issue. I’m finicky, musically cranky, and neurotic. Admittedly. Sue me.
On the other hand, I don’t remember recently having had such a deep and musically good feeling as I experienced when listening to many of the cuts on Shim’s album. Listen to Pischu Li (Open Up The Gates) and just try to not smile and respond with some physical rhythmic movement. Listen to B’rogez and see if your understanding of that plea has not been made more profound. Listen to Hamalach. Sorry I don’t even have words that can convey the wondrous experience of that song. It is quite unique. “Nashir B’Yachad,” the title tune, was originally released as part of a moving video presentation after the Haiti catastrophic earthquake. Hearing it as part of the album re-introduces it and this non-video context is just as effective as the moving Haiti tribute – if not more so. The musically inventive “Va’ani,” the sure-to-be requested “Mi Von Siach,” both reveal wonderful arrangements, exciting vocal performances and superb production quality. The album simply sounds great. I don’t want to get involved with credits, but suffice it to say that Motti Cohen and John Tendy have made an amazing musical statement. And as for Shim? Well as I began, I’m not a fan of non-stop accolades of “superlative,” “simply the best,” “first and only” and all that jazz, so go hear for yourselves!
I’ll be talkin’ to ya,
EZ

Less is more…

I’d like you to be aware of a very recent and very unique recording project released just this week.  It is a CD album called Bridge of Generations and it features Mayer Davis and others performing Zmirot that have been transmitted through the generations of Mayer’s extended families. The song list also includes some original compositions which are, I’m sure, intended to be handed down to the future Davis generations. Why is this unique? Well let me begin by saying that I experience the album as a type of musical documentary. That is, it provides undeniable evidence of the power of Jewish song to connect a present generation to both previous and future generations. That is no small feat. This would be true even if the Nigunim were not as unusually beautiful as these are. I warn you now though, they are not easily learned, easily sung, predictable or cliché-ridden. They are what I might term irregular musical gems. While we are today regularly exposed to Jewish music CDs that have large bands, rhythmically intricate arrangements, horn lines that overshadow the songs, and long, drawn out intros that are remembered more than the song which follows, it is a breath of fresh air to listen to Elliot Weiss’ sparse, but poignant musical settings for the Davis songs. If ever there were arrangements that added meaning to the adage “less is more”, these are them. I urge you listen to this album which is dedicated to Esther Davis, A”H, Mayer’s mom who passed away this past year. There is no doubt that it is a labor of love, both to the music and to the dedicatee. Listen to Mark Fineberg’s clarinet playing, Dave Dunaway’s bass, Eli Kahn’s singing, and Mayer’s own vocal that serves to connect the album with past and future generations, just to mention a few of the many musical highlights of this album. As we approach the Passover season, this project underscores one of the most meaningful themes of the Haggadah – B’chol Dor V’Dor……………………………….

I’ll be talkin’ to ya’

EZ

Labels….

I’m glad that we’ve stirred some ideas regarding Jewish Music definitions. Thanks to all for voicing meaningful comments. While so much of the internet up-and-back conversation these days is vacuous and mean-spirited, it is especially gratifying to see thought-out positions that are being stated out of a love and respect for Jewish Music. One of my goals is to show how labels are limiting, and not particularly helpful when discussing specifics. So here is an assignment for everyone. In fact I have given this assignment to a class that I teach to local High School seniors. Listen to the following two songs and do an objective evaluation of whether the words and the music are complementary. In other words, do you feel that the musical treatment gives meaning or even added meaning to the texts. I have very strong opinions about these matters and look forward to stating them in the next Blog installment. In the interim, I eagerly await your thoughts and comments. The two songs are Aron Razels’ Chagiga, and Ari Boiangiu’s Al Naharos Bavel. You can hear both songs by clicking here.

I’ll be talkin’ to ya’.

EZ

Did you sing Kol Nidrei to the tune of Yellow Submarine?

For more years that I can remember, there has been an on-going discussion concerning a proper definition for “Jewish Music”. I would encourage all of our readers to weigh in on that definition quest. I think you will discover that for the definition to be meaningful, it needs to account for many possibilities. And while I am totally on-board with the search for the elusive magical description, in the interim I would like to focus on a sub-topic of this discussion.

By way of introduction, I’d like to put forth a completely subjective, biased, strongly opinionated statement. Here it is: There are way too many text-based songs being composed that offer a completely inappropriate musical setting for the chosen text. To put it simply, in my admittedly biased opinion, the musical setting has nothing to do with the words. It often even contra-indicates the intention of the text. Now be careful – I am not saying that a musical setting has to remain in a traditional or “old school” style to be a proper representative of its text. There are many wonderfully gifted composers who have managed to combine a modern musical idiom while still somehow remaining true to the text. But there are, unfortunately, many who do not. I have many examples in mind and will put forth these ideas over the coming weeks. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts.

I’ll be talkin’ to ya’.

EZ

Mitzvah G’dolah Lihiyot B’Simcha…..

The annual feeling that we get when Adar approaches lends added meaning to our role as musicians at all types of Smachot. This phenomenon fulfills in the most literal way, the concept of Mi’Shenichnas Adar, Marbin B’simcha. An already joyful occasion becomes even more so. As we add Purim songs to our repertoire, the Simcha quotient just naturally goes up. In the weeks leading up to Purim this music takes on an anticipatory function, while in the last weeks of Adar, it helps us to retain a “taste” of Purim in our Neshamot. No doubt this is also true in the month of Kislev when we add Chanukah Niggunim to our repertoire, but the unbridled Simcha of Adar is different. The springtime and all the accompanying feelings of rebirth, Pesach expectations, and a general sense of hopefulness, make Adar unique. So we look forward to seeing you over the coming weeks, fulfilling “Mitzvah G’dolah Lihiyot B’Simcha” and joining us in trying to bring a bit more Simcha to all our lives.

I’ll be talkin’ to ya’.

EZ

Hey, Haven’t I Heard That One Before?

The Jewish song repertoire that we are called on to perform is ever-increasing. There are always new songs being added to our already vast base of musical settings. These include songs used either for dancing or for a Chupa, or simply to be performed and heard at some point during the event. That is why it always intrigues me when I see a song that was written and popularized 30 or 40 (or more) years ago reappear and become popular again. What does that say about that specific song? Is it better? Is there something special that still makes it essential for different generations? And if the answer to the above questions is yes, then why did it somehow drop below the radar screen for 15 or 20 years? Tough questions that may require a bit of analysis if we are to come up with a meaningful answer. Well I do have some ideas about these matters, but I would like to suggest that our readers think about this issue and contribute their thoughts. All input is welcome.
I’ll be talkin’ to ya’.
EZ

Hey, Haven’t I Heard That One Before?

Life Cycles…..

Life cycles are defined as being comprised of ups and downs -good times and hard times. Nobody escapes……….., as the adage goes. Therefore imagine how really great it would be to be professionally involved in the life-cycles of others, but limit the involvement to “the good times.”

Well, at least until we start performing at New Orleans type funerals, that is our exact lot as a performing group for joyous occasions. If you’re feeling a bit jealous, just take our good fortune and then multiply it by the amount of events we’re blessed to do within each family! Or for an extended family. It gets to be as if we become part of that family. I’m thankful and grateful to report to you that we have grown relationships like those over the past twenty-five years. Relationships that defy the odds, relationships that create connections between musicians and families that are as valued and heart-felt as any blood relationship. Well let me just say that, thank G-d, we’ve got loads of those relationships. We love to greet these people at other people’s Smachot also. Yes, we’ve been blessed with many of these wonderful relationships. And then there’s Cynthia and Abe Hercman. Words can only limit our sense of Hakarat Hatov to the Hercmans in trying to remember the early planning of the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, all the way through the recent Simcha of performing at the wedding of their Mezinka. Nobody better, nobody nicer, they give new meaning to the word menchlichkeit. Thank you for allowing us to join your beautiful family and Mazel Tov on your recent Simcha.

Regards from the Holy Land.

I’ll be talkin’ to ya’

EZ

New music and musicians……

I’m always happy to hear about new music and musicians – especially if this enlightening comes from one of my students or from a prospective client.  Therefore when speaking to any young man or young woman, engaged to be married, looking for an orchestra, I will usually try to get a fuller understanding of their musical tastes by probing their musical heads. Well just a few days ago, one of these young men told me that he likes to listen to Tim Sparks. Unable to hide my ignorance, and extremely curious, I said “Who?”

Well it turns out that Tim Sparks is a wonderful acoustic guitarist who plays and records Klezmer music in addition to the many genres of American finger style guitar music. Well thank you very much for opening my ears. It’s wonderful. Keep em’ coming!

Regards from the Holy Land. I’ll be talkin’ to ya.

EZ

New ideas…….

We’re always on the lookout for new and interesting music-related ideas for the weddings and other events that we do. Well this week, the Bride at one of our weddings came up with what I thought was a sensational idea. I didn’t even realize how good the idea was until we actually did it at the wedding and the impact could not have been more sensational. Curious? Well Ayala Bindiger (now Ayala Adler), concocted the following plan for us to put into effect. She knew that her Choson was planning on singing the Eyshes Chayil from Vahavenu at some point during the evening. After Avi concluded this rendition, we made an immediate announcement over the sound system saying, “That was great Avi, but now Ayala has a song for you!” Naturally there were a few nervous giggles from the many guests circling the Choson and Kallah at that point. That’s when we played the actual CD for one of Avi’s favorite songs, “Never Gonna’ Be Alone” by Nickelback. Avi’s face lit up with glee, he sang every word along with the track, as the many, many surrounding guests took pleasure in watching the incredibly happy couple. It’s those moments that remind me how lucky we are to be involved in the music and Simcha world. I’ll be talkin’ to ya’ EZ

Welcome to our new BLOG!!!

Wow! Start of a new decade. Start of our new stream-lined and refurbished Neshoma website. And the beginning of what I hope will be a meaningful and successful year for music lovers all over the world. This Blog is intended to complement our website by providing you with “inside info,” musical ruminations, Neshoma extended-family updates and much more. Feel free to comment to your heart’s content. We welcome all feedback and encourage you to get involved. I’ll be talkin’ to ya’. EZ