Miami & YBC

There were two huge concerts that occurred tonight. They featured the two biggest boys choirs out there in Jewish music (although, how many choirs do we have already?).

The first concert, which was in Brookyln, is the Miami Boys choir with Shloime Gertner who recently released his second album, "Say Asay". Also, new singing sensation, Yoni Zigelboum will be featured, whom I assume will open up the show, much like Benny Friedman, who was the new singing sensation last year opened that show. Will Zigelboum reach the heights that Friedman did this year? Only time will tell. Also featured at this concert is a special presentation of "Ultimate Miami" a.k.a. Miami English songs on one album. If they are old songs, I sure hope they are rerecorded for the album and they aren't just thrown together as a mix. It sounds like a great show, but you never know! Last year there was the surprise of Begun losing his voice and the kids took over his singing roles, which was quite amusing and actually a really fantastic show!

Drive up the Belt Parkway and down the Van Wyck Expressway to Queens and you'll find there the Yeshiva Boys Choir. At this show YBC will be singing songs from their latest album "Sh'moy" and some songs never sung in concert, which may mean that they learned choreography to an old song like Tehilas Hashem from YBC 1 and are now performing it in concert, or perhaps they are debuting new songs. They will be surrounded by other singers, such as Eli Gerstner and Menucha. They are also listing Yaakov Mordechai Gerstner as a special guest star. Menucha just released their 2nd album entitle Sh'ma Yisrael. Should also have been an interesting concert.

Let me know if you went to one and you enjoyed it or if you think one is better than the other.

All the best,
JMDerech

YBC - Shabichi Remix Video

YeshivaBoysChoir.com goes LIVE!

This website is quite detailed and I'm quite impressed with the design, which was designed by Gail Lobel Rand of NightingaleProductions

(Via JMR)
The YeshivaBoysChoir online website has been coming soon for a long time, but last night Eli announced on his facebook the website has launched! Go to YeshivaBoysChoir.com and you can hear samples from all the albums. You can also download (for free!) sheet music from any of the 4 YBC albums. The website has nice animation and interesting information about the choir. The website was designed by Gail Rand, who also designed TheChevra.com and EliGerstner.com

CONCERT ALERT: YBC Live - Sukkos '09

EG Productions presents YBC LIVE! SUCCOS ‘09.

Starring

THE YESHIVA BOYS CHOIR

singing songs from their brand new album “Shmoy Shel Melech”

DOVID GABAY

singing a all new song composed by Eli Gerstner

DOVID STEIN

singing songs from his debut album

YOSEF CHAIM

singing songs from his debut album

YAAKOV MORDECHAI GERSTNER

singing his own brand new song “V’zaro”

MONDAY NIGHT – CHOL HAMOED SUCCOS

OCTOBER 5th, 2009 BROOKLYN COLLEGE 7:30pm

Tickets; $20, $25, $35, $50, VIP

JewishTickets.com

For more information, Credit Card Sales & Group Rates please call EG Productions 718-853-9403

My YBC4 "Sh'moy Shel Melech" Review

Yeshiva Boys Choir 4 – Sh’moy Shel Melech (The Brady Bunch)

I know KolIsha already put out a fantastic review of YBC4 already, which can be seen HERE, but it's always good to have a second opinion and that's what I'm here for!

When I first saw the album art a couple months back, I was cracking up. It brought back memories of “The Brady Bunch”. A TV show I used to watch as a kid (TV? Nu, what’s a TV!?) Google it to find out why it reminds me of it. Otherwise, the album art is actually pretty cool.

This fourth album was delayed a couple of months for monetary reasons, as reported by Eli Gerstner. They felt it would be better to release it now when children are getting back from summer camp. So you can thank Gerstner for having your children run up to you yelling “Mommy! Mommy! There’s a new Yeshiva Boys Choir in stores! Let go buy it now!” But hey, it’s better for them to spend their time and your money on kosher music than with action figures or baseball cards (Though, they will probably ask for those too!). Don’t worry, the album was worth the wait. It is a solid album and will be playing on your iPod/CD player for the next month or so.

For those of you who follow my blog (jmderech.blogspot.com) you’d know that I just recently got married. So, I’d like to thank my wife for allowing me to write this review in the car on the way to my parents on a Friday afternoon instead of making conversation. Although, music can be a great conversation starter!

Note: I added a HOT, MILD & COLD meter for each song, which will tell you what I think of it in short. Enjoy! :)

Sh’moy - (HOT) No better way for YBC to start off their long awaited fourth album then with an electric solo in the beginning; “Shpitz Gerstner”. Tani Martin is the star of this song, as he is with almost any song he sings. His voice is in my opinion, the best all-around voice in the choir. Gerstner promised this song to be the next “Kol Hamispalel, V’ohafta, Shabichi” and he delivered. This song definitely out does V’ohafta and Shabichi. Kol Hamispalel is a little hard to beat. The only downside to the song is the ending. It’s a bit to abrupt for my taste.

Hamalach - (HOT) First off, I can’t possibly rave enough about this song. It’s for sure not your typical song with a “Yiddishe taam”, but it is a gorgeous composition, and in my opinion a masterpiece. I love how the song convinces you that it will be a slow song throughout but then switches to a faster tempo halfway through. Don’t try going to sleep to this Hamalach, it’s too good and will keep you awake for a long time after you turn it off! You’ll be laying in bed humming it while your wife asks you to “be quiet!” for the umpteenth time.

Atah Kidashta – (HOT) This is quite the catchy tune. The low part is similar to “Malachim” from YBC 1. You’ve got to love how the drums stop and go to the tempo of the lyrics in the beginning, which is followed by a beautiful duet. The choir harmony behind new soloist Aron Kogan (who has a terrific voice) is fantastic. The “Na na” solo brings me back to memories of Yehuda Leib Saks. It sounds very similar to the way he sang. All in all, this songs can be defined as a success.

Oz V’hadar – (MILD) This is the first time I’ve heard these lyrics to a song. Finally, a different part of Aishes Chayil used. In the words of my wife, “it’s a very calming and soothing song”. Towards the end of the song, the choir quickly switches off with a very cool sounding violin. And of course, the song ends with another “crazy high Gerstner key”.

Baruch Hashem – (COLD) My wife and I feel like this song could be a background to some video game. This song can be most compared to previous YBC songs like “Yiru & Milayim Ziv”. I’m not a fan of the song, but you may be! There’s just not much to the song besides crazy electric guitar.

Derech Sheker – (HOT) Adon Olam, Hadrichayni, Al Hakol. Why mention these? It’s another one of those relaxing Yossi Newman compositions that stands out on each album. The star of this song is Akiva Elbogen. I love it when they use him as a soloist instead of a crazy background harmony. However, there’s one down side to this song. The part of the song after Elbogen’s solo is completely pointless and has nothing to do with the song. However, it doesn’t ruin the song. And Yehuda Turner’s ending to the song is quite cute!

Torah Tziva – (COLD) Think Kel Hahodaos from YBC 3 when you hear this song, only not as good. It’s fast paced and has too many words crammed into one part. Usually they save this style song for the last one on the album. I call it the “flop of the album” on each YBC album. I was never a fan of any final song on the YBC albums, but if you read on, my view has changed with this album.

Min Hameitzar – (MILD) On every YBC album, Eli Gerstner is featured and this is his song of choice on this album and may I add, Eli Gerstner sounds great on this song. He doesn’t overdo his shtick and sounds as good as he did on his Henei album. This song has terrific arrangements and it’s done by none other than renown musician Yisroel Lamm. There’s a very somber tone to this song in the refrain, but in the chorus the tune switches to a more uplifting note.

Simcha - (MILD) Oh no! The creepy laughing song! Every time we reach the laughing part my wife makes me turn it off, so I have no idea what the rest of the song after that part sounds like. This song is about making you happy, but it doesn’t do that for us; it makes us scared! No, but jokes aside, it’s a fun song if you can ignore the laughing. It’s their new “Booraich/Koo Moo”. In other words, I can see the choir juggling and dressing up for this song. Just beware of the creepy laugh!!!

Kah Ribon – (HOT) This is by far the best “final song” among the 4 YBC albums. If you listen closely, it has similarities in common with Menucha Vesimcha from Menucha. The mix of soloists is perfect & how befitting for the star of the album, YM Gerstner to finish the album with a classic “Gerstner, belt it out” part.

Final Score

HOT = 5

MILD = 3

COLD = 2

Final Verdict

Overall, this album is way better than YBC 3 and I can’t wait to hear these new songs in concert. Stop by you local Judaica store and pick up a copy if you can, because the Judaica store by me was sold out!

Two NEW albums! Shwekey 5 & YBC 4 - Audio Previews Included.

Sh’moy Shel Melech is guaranteed to keep The Yeshiva Boys Choir on the top of Jewish music charts as the world’s best. With all new compositions and music, this recording is nothing short of amazing! YBC 1 and 2 featured the Cleveland choir, YBC 3 featured the 5-Towns choir and YBC 4 features the Brooklyn choir. Every YBC album stepped it up a notch in sound and production and this one does the same. The song “Sh’moy” is the next “Kol Hamispalel”, “V’ohavta” & “Shabichi.” There’s also a new version of “Hamalach” on the album, which is definitely the runaway hit. (JewishJukeBox.com)

The CD will be available Monday!!

Pre-Order on MostlyMusic.com before Monday and save $2.

Yossi Zweig's "The Z Report"

(via Country Yossi)

The whole article can be found by clicking on the link above. There's some neat stuff on what albums have been released recently, however, I'm going to report what albums are coming out soon!


Tmimim Boys Choir - The much anticipated debut album of the Tmimim Boys Choir and Rabbi Yossi Goldstein is finally being released before the summer B"H. The project took a long three years to produce, but will certainly be worth the wait. It promises to be a very refreshing CD with very interesting and energetic songs. It is arranged by the very talented RAMBAM (Agababayev). The Tmimim have performed along stars such as M.B.D., Piamenta, and many others. They have captivated their audiences with their great performances. The style of the music includes Heimshe hora, sefardi, dance, Chabad and Dvekus. About 2 weeks.


Yeshiva Boys Choir - YBC 4 "SH'MOY SHEL MELECH" should be in stores sometime in June. Every YBC album stepped it up a notch in sound & production from the previous album and this one will iyh do just that. The song "Sh'moy", in Eli’s opinion, will join kol hamispallel, v’ohavta & shabichi in fans favorites. There's a new version of hamalach on the album, which will definitely be the runaway hit. YBC performed it this past Pesach & people keep praising the song. After the summer. (UPDATE: Will be released August 20th.)


The Event: The DVD - Expected by the end of the summer, the release of the biggest DVD of the biggest Jewish Music Concert in the history of Jewish Music. Lipa, MBD, Pirchei Boys Choir, DEDI, Rabbi Baruch Chait, Yisroel Williger, Acheinu, all star in THE EVENT: THE DVD.


Mendy Werdyger - Mendy Werdyger is currently working on his new album which will be produced by Gershy Moskowitz. Songs are being arranged in Israel, by Shua Fried, as you read this. Yet another album Mendy is working on is a Kumzits album with the talent that is R’Bentzion Shenker.


Yossi Green - Yossi Green's Much Anticipated sequel to Shades of Green is now in production! As you know the first SOG had 24 songs presented in 12 different styles which besides expressing music in a new and very exciting way, was also a tremendous value.Being that all the songs were composed by Yossi Green, the choices of songs on the CD were breathtaking!

Here again on the new SOG INTENSIVE the songs will all be from the greatest hits of Jewish Music sung by the most successful performers through the years. This one will have an additional 26 songs of equal caliber as SOG I!!!

Songs that actually shaped our Chassidic Music culture and history. In addition there will be a new real contemporary English language BONUS song on the CD which will be done in the latest and most advanced way in the styles of The 8th Note, an album that won Yossi Green the award of Jewish Music ALBUM of the YEAR in 2008!!! Chanukah?


MBD - MBD is working with Yossi Green, Mona, Moshe Laufer & Aaron Razel. I was just informed this will be a long process. Don’t expect it too soon. Yeedle is quoted to say that there will be a lot of Aaron Razel on this CD. As is the case with all MBD cd’s, it is well worth the wait. Ellul iy"h.


Shloime Gertner - Shloime Gertner just started working on another sure-to-be-bestseller album. After the huge success of his first album “Nissim”, Shloime has been seen performing across the globe at various functions. The album is being produced by Yossi Tyberg and Gershy Moskowitz, a new impressive partnership, appropriately called Team Productions. Together, they make masterful, mesmerizing music that will set your eardrums to a whole new beat! The album iy”h is slated for around Elul time.


Berry Weber - Shmuel “Berry” Weber (Shira Choir) is working on his debut CD with Naftali Schnitzler (Michoel’s nephew.) Berry, a rising new young star, has given the music industry a burst of new flavor. As a young child of eight or nine, he has been selected to solo with Jewish Superstars such as MBD, Werdyger, JEP and the popular Shalvah Tapes. But, it wasn’t until several years later as a mature young adult that “Maiveenem” in the industry were aroused by Berry’s true musical talent. His mesmerizing voice coupled with his charisma makes him a natural performer. Berry has had the honor to have songs composed by brand names in the world of composition such as, Lipa and Motty Illowitz. His music is being arranged by kings in the industry such as Mona, Ruli Ezrachi, Shai Bachar and Naftali Mendlowitz. His new hit single and music video titled “Baelokim Batachti” has entered the hemisphere with an explosion and is wildly circulating far and wide being sung at many a Yiddish Simcha. Look for his debut album in June, 2009. For more please visit www.dervaiber.com


Benny Friedman - Benny Friedman, a rising star on the JM scene, is close to finishing up his debut album. This extraordinary performer will wow audiences on his imminent CD, produced by Avi Newmark, the incomparable talent who produced Dovid Gabay’s 2 albums. Lipa wrote the lyrics for a Yiddish track, whose music was composed by the one and only Yitzy Waldner. We’re waiting with bated breath for the album’s release. Benny is Avraham Fried’s nephew, and the talent obviously passed generously through the family genes. For more please visit www.Bennysmusic.com. Expected tu B'av.

Also being released:
Yosef Chaim Shwekey - Lo Lefached
Yehuda Green's 2nd album is in the works
Avodas Tzedaka

YBC 4 to be released after the summer

Nuts! I was hoping for YBC 4 to arrive in stores sometime during June as it was previously announced... :(

Eli Gerstner - just got off the phone with Benny of Sameach Music. The official date for the release of YBC 4 is iy"H August 20, 2009 (Rosh Chodosh Ellul) & Menucha 2 shortly after (& YBC Live 3 shortly after that!!) BH! - (via Facebook)

Yeshiva Boys Choir Album Art

That's the way we all became the Brady Bunch.
The Brady Bunch!
Woops! I mean the Yeshivishe Boys Choir Bunch!

This album is due out after Shavuos and before the 15th of June (via TheCoolJew)

(via TheCoolJew)

"YBC 4 SHOULD BE OUT AFTER SHAVOUS"

"A few months back TheCoolJew spoke with Eli Gerstner about his upcoming album of YBC 4. At that time we were told the album would be out before Pesach and at the latest of Lag Baomer. TheCoolJew contacted Eli about the Delay:"

"Dear TheCoolJew I am working day and night on finishing the album. I hope to have it done in a couple of weeks. As of now, it will be out before June 15. If for some reason I cant make that deadline, I am going to wait till after the summer to release it. As of now, it looks like we'll be on time! - Eli Gerstner"

Dovid Stein - 3 songs at Pesach concert

(via YouTube user Bukin86)
There are many low quality videos of the concert that can be found here. (lower is better than nothing!)

Melech


Ki Bochar


Muvtach Lo

Post Choir Battle

This post is a follow up to my previous Choir Battle! post.

Disclaimer: I was at the Miami concert, but not that YBC, so I will have to write this based on the videos from the YBC concert.

Video footage: YBC footage can be seen here. I couldn't find any Miami footage. I have some of my own, but the recording is a cell phone recording. I'm not sure anyone wants to hear or see it.

Music
Miami - Most of the music was recorded, although "Azor Nah" was live and very sweet.
YBC - The Yosis Orchestra appeared to be in full blast. Very impressive.
Verdict- Neither of them beat Shwekey in Cesaria!

Groups
The Alumni - These guys were solid, way better than before, however, there were no new songs. It was kind of like watching older choir members (duh!) with all that fancy choreography.
Menucha - They're not the same without Waldman! (I know, he's been gone for a while). From the videos, they appeared to be top notch. The inclusion of 2 brand new songs was sweet.
Verdict - Alumni for entertainment, Menucha for song quality.

Solo Artists
Benny Friedman - He was on fire. I love his voice and he performed the songs given to him very well. One downside was that he didn't have any original compositions. That would have been nice.
Dovid Stein - From the video, he looked sort of stiff, but he sounded amazing. It was nice to hear songs from his album in concert. I heard him at the sukkos concert, and the sound wasn't so hot. Much better this time around.
Verdict - I don't know, I'm going to have to call this one a tie. Though both of their suits were pretty sharp! =)

Choir (Going to need subcategories for this one!)
Miami -
Stage Presence - Amazing. Although the choreography seemed to tire out a few kids. The kids looked really happy.
Songs - Most from the new album, some classics as well, and they all sounded amazing.
Costumes - So many different types; sparkly and fun!
Yeshiva -
Stage Presence - Video clips aren't long enough to tell.
Songs - Same songs, with three new ones! Hamalach is the only one I heard, and it sounded nice.
Costumes - Sweaters! Every one loves sweaters! Especially on a night as cold as it was.
Verdict - I loved the Miami choreography, it for sure made the concert. I know a lot of work went into the costumes, but sometimes it's nice to keep it simple like YBC. I'm a fan of more new songs. Since the Miami album was entirely new, I felt I got my money's worth. YBC's inclusion of three new songs was a great addition as well. Can't wait for YBC 4! (THEY WERE BOTH GREAT)

Regardless of what I have said, or think, both Yerachmiel Begun and Eli Gerstner deserve a huge yasher koach for putting on spectacular performances!

YBC Concert (3 New songs)

Here are some video clips of three new songs from the YBC Live 3 Concert on Chol Hamoed Pesach.
- Video clips from YouTube user thejmfreak.

Menucha singing Shiru Lashem


Menucha singing Shema


YBC singing Hamalach

Choir Battle!

This is actually really exciting! Two amazing choirs; two amazing concerts!

What I'm most excited about!
Miami Concert: The brand new songs; The Alumni (they're back!?); Guest Starts (Miami always has good guest starts)
YBC Concert: Three brand new songs!? (Nice!) Menucha (Hello!? Two new songs from the "upcoming album". When's that coming out anyway!?)