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June 16, 2006
New CDs from the JMG
Another eclectic musical collection has just been released.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
How the Jewish Music Group decides which CDs to produce is somewhat
of a mystery. You certainly can't associate the JMG label with any
one type of music, other than broadly Jewish. Recent releases include
techno versions of traditional Hebrew prayers, klezmer, Israeli
rock and more.
Starting with one of the more odd compilations you've probably ever
heard, JMG has come out with Forgiveness: Traditional Jewish
Prayers with Contemporary Experimental Electronic Music.
The opening "Kol Nidrei" evokes a group of Chassids praying
in front of the Western Wall, while the ensuing "Ana B'Korainu"
mixes lounge sounds with chanting and drumming. In both, the numerous
elements combine to make the listener feel as if the music is being
recorded live and there's a noisy crowd in the background. The CD
continues in this vein: electronic music mixed with vocals mixed
with various sound effects – with mixed results. Frankly, some
of the songs are headache-inducing and you'll catch yourself wishing
the voices in your head would just stop already. Other songs are
interesting, while yet others, particularly the concluding piece,
"Neila," are kind of boring (unless you like whale music).
More conventional renditions of Jewish prayers are found in Brad
Schachter's Prayer for a Child, in which he mixes
tradition with folk and jazz music, relying heavily on the saxophone
in some numbers. Some Debbie Friedman-esque numbers will please
many listeners, as will some of Schachter's more upbeat, fun renditions,
such as that of "Oseh Shalom." Inspired by his wife and
young children, this CD is definitely for the easy-listening set,
though songs like the incredibly sappy "Daddy" –
with a chorus of "Baby girls / Tiny curls / With a smile that
loves me" – may even be too much for them.
Inspired: The Best of Sam Glaser also attempts to
provide spiritual inspiration for people who like easy-listening
music. While "Hineni" has a beat to part of it, "Dovid
Melech Yisrael" has an electric guitar riff and "Hatikvah"
has a little techno bite, most of Sam Glaser's "best"
songs seem to be ballads or lullabies ... not that there's anything
wrong with that.
For those who prefer to dance – rather than sing – their
way to inspiration, then Freilach Time! by the Golden
State Klezmers is actually a pleasant way to get there. All but
a few songs are traditional melodies and those few are loyal to
the genre. The Golden State Klezmers perform throughout southern
California and the West Coast and they would be worth seeing if
they ever come to Vancouver. After all, it's generally more entertaining
to dance at a concert than in your living room – at least to
klezmer music.
The best new release from JMG, though, is Things will be Better:
The Best of David Broza. Those Vancouverites who recall
Israeli musician David Broza's rousing performance at the Vogue
Theatre a few years back will want to add this CD to their collection.
Broza sings in English, Hebrew, Spanish and Arabic with apparent
ease, his guitar playing is brilliant and his songs reflect various
moods, yet are never maudlin. This compilation includes selections
from recordings dating back almost 30 years and they all withstand
the test of time – even in their message. The concluding song,
"Yihye Tov" (loosely, "Everything will Turn
Out Well"), for example, is from 1978 and, as an anthem of
peace, its lyrics remain relevant. We can only hope that, given
all the conflict in the world, "yihye tov."
For more information on the JMG or to order any of the above CDs,
visit www.jewishmusicgroup.com.
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