No longer will this blog be about music. It's going to be about everything and anything. Sure, there will be a lot of focus on music, because it's a major part of my life, but it will not be the only thing to write about. Frankly, Jewish music doesn't come out frequently enough, good Jewish music that is, for there to be enough to write about that everyone else hasn't covered yet. If you have some ideas for some topics to discuss, feel free to post it in the comments section.
So there's been some rumors going around about singers developing new albums. For the first time, I reach out to you, the reader, for your help in getting the inside scoop. Think you can give me a hand? See the list below and let me know if you have any information on it. Also, if you know of someone who is in the process of making a new album that's not on this list, let me know.
The final information will appear on the Jewish Music Report as a second entry in "New Music in the works!" See the first one here - http://jewishmusicreport.com/?p=4194.
As always, you can send me an email at jmderech@gmail.com. Don't forget to check the previous post at the link above to see albums I have already posted.
For questions or to send all entries, email jmderech@gmail.com Entries due by the last night of Chanukah - December 19th.
NOTE for Beginners: Download the Audacity program here and import the Window In Heaven music into audacity and start recording your voice over it!
Lyrics: Early days of younger years, Full of childrens' joys and fears, Whether school or home, always felt alone, In a way, what's a child to do?
Days and months went rushing by, Bar Mitzvah in a suit and tie, And my loss still there, much too deep to share, In a way, what's a child to do?
But I know, you were there the whole time, Looking down, from a window in heaven, And your touch, like the gentlest breeze, Saying, I will remember you son
Even though you could not shake my hand, You looked down from a window in heaven, And your touch, like the whisper of wings, Saying, I will be there for you son, in a way
Milestones of life flew by, Couldn't help but wonder why, You had to go away, I never heard you say, "oh my son", What's a child to do?
At the Chupa we stood as one, Being watched by everyone, And the tears that flow, both joy and sorrow, For the One, who's not here with me now
But I know, you were there the whole time, Through each step you were guiding me forward, And your touch, like a breath of fresh air, Saying, I'll always love you my son
Even though you could not walk me down, I could tell you were standing beside me, And your touch, like the wisdom of old, Saying, I am so proud of you son, in a way
Now I hold him tenderly, My baby son, for all to see, I am overcome, by my actions done, today What's a child to do?
My son will bear your name with pride, Holding Zeide's torch inside, And the part of me, which was so empty, Is now full, as I reach out to you
And I know you were there the whole time, Looking down, from your place in Shomayim, And your touch, like a magical spell, Is embracing me tightly right now
Even though he was not on your knees, You were here, on a visit from heaven, And your touch, like the sweetest of wine; saying There'll always be, a part of me, in you my son
For questions or to send all entries, email jmderech@gmail.com Entries due by the last night of Chanukah - December 19th.
NOTE for Beginners: Download the Audacity program here and import the Window In Heaven music into audacity and start recording your voice over it!
Lyrics: Early days of younger years, Full of childrens' joys and fears, Whether school or home, always felt alone, In a way, what's a child to do?
Days and months went rushing by, Bar Mitzvah in a suit and tie, And my loss still there, much too deep to share, In a way, what's a child to do?
But I know, you were there the whole time, Looking down, from a window in heaven, And your touch, like the gentlest breeze, Saying, I will remember you son
Even though you could not shake my hand, You looked down from a window in heaven, And your touch, like the whisper of wings, Saying, I will be there for you son, in a way
Milestones of life flew by, Couldn't help but wonder why, You had to go away, I never heard you say, "oh my son", What's a child to do?
At the Chupa we stood as one, Being watched by everyone, And the tears that flow, both joy and sorrow, For the One, who's not here with me now
But I know, you were there the whole time, Through each step you were guiding me forward, And your touch, like a breath of fresh air, Saying, I'll always love you my son
Even though you could not walk me down, I could tell you were standing beside me, And your touch, like the wisdom of old, Saying, I am so proud of you son, in a way
Now I hold him tenderly, My baby son, for all to see, I am overcome, by my actions done, today What's a child to do?
My son will bear your name with pride, Holding Zeide's torch inside, And the part of me, which was so empty, Is now full, as I reach out to you
And I know you were there the whole time, Looking down, from your place in Shomayim, And your touch, like a magical spell, Is embracing me tightly right now
Even though he was not on your knees, You were here, on a visit from heaven, And your touch, like the sweetest of wine; saying There'll always be, a part of me, in you my son
Designed it myself :) What do you guys think? I did a road in the background. Makes more sense with the name Derech. And a little 3d guitar. If anyone needs video editing or graphics made, let me know. I'm looking for more work :)
The vocals are clearer and it's a bit different than the previous recording. I composed this song for my chassunah and sang it to my wife during the reception.
P.S. If anyone wants to help me get some real professional music recorded in a studio, let me know ;)
Are you or someone you know getting married? Need help finding the perfect orchestra for the right price? I'll be glad to help, just email me at jmderech@gmail.com. B'H, I know lots of orchestras and have the contacts, let me be your middle man and make your simcha easier :)
I was attending the chassuna of my wife's friend Sunday night in Brooklyn. As any good music reporter would do, I brought my mini camcorder in hand. Also, I had asked Shloime if he would mind a duet, the two of us, singing my favorite song "Yigdal" from his debut album, Avodas Tzedaka. Shloime, being the nice guy he is, agreed without even hearing if I could sing.
When I entered the halls of Kings Terrace, little did I know of the "magic" that would take place that night. Sure, people were dressed all fancy, and a chassuna is a perfect setting for a good taste, not of food (although it was good!), but rather music! The music was so good it exceeded my expectations. Ya, so I haven't been to a ton of a chassuna's, but I've been to a good share of them and none of them had this quality of music. Neshoma Orchestra was fantastic. From the chuppah to the dance floor, they were flawless. My favorite player was the violinist Asher Laub. Don't get me wrong, every one of the musicians played their instrument to its peak, but there's something about the way Laub delicately wove his bow back and forth across the violin making that perfect pitch! Kaufman was something else all together! He was so into the chassuna and you could tell it was genuine. He was dancing with the olam (crowd), smiling, and all over ecstatic, pumping up the chassuna to what it was, a beautifully orchestrated simcha between two children of B'nai Yisrael. G-d willing, Moshiach will come soon and bring the geula and I hope to see Shloime and the rest of the guys that played that night as part of the musicians who welcome him. There was nothing greater than seeing the joy that the music brought to chassan and kallah (no I was not on the women's side :P) on their wedding night.
I know what your thinking, I must know Laub or Kaufman or any of the guys with Neshoma, but no, that assumption is incorrect. I'm not doing this for the sake of publicity, I'm definitely not getting paid (checks wallet), yup definitely not getting paid. :) I just feel that many people have questions about what orchestra to choose and I hope that this small write up can help them choose.
Let me tell you something, Shloime Kaufman and the Neshoma Orchestra are a class act. They are super professional and all around fun to watch! I filmed a number of songs, but I decided to post the songs that Kaufman is known for. Kol Yisroel, Avodas Tzedaka & Yigdal. If you think he sounds good live, hear him on his debut album, Avodas Tzedaka. You won't regret buying it. See a review of the album I wrote here.
Shimie Braun on Keys
Ari Boiangiu on Guitars
Moe Rosenblum on Drums
Asher Laub on Violin
Mr.Laskin on Sax
Any singers or orchestras who are interested in being a part of the ongoing "JMDerech Experience" series, all I request is a chance at the mic and and email to be sent to me at jmderech@gmail.com. See you soon! :)
I know I've never wrote about anything other than music (I think), but it's time for a change. It's time for a rant!
So I get home last night from my 2 and half week sukkos vacation in Chicago and I have a terrible stomach flu! It was terrible. I was sick before the plane, on the plane, off the plane, and at my apartment. Worst part was this morning. I wake up late because I couldn't move a muscle. I suddenly remember that today is Tuesday. It's alternate side parking day in the wonderful NYC. I go outside, and lo and behold! I have a parking ticket... Can I fight it? "But your honor! I had a stomach flu, cough, cough..." I doubt it, I guess I have to suck it up and pay. Everything happens for a reason though, right?
Here's the song (originally Mi Adir) I composed and sang at my chassuna for my kallah. I re-recorded the vocals. Anyone who wants to lend me some instruments and a recording studio would make my day! You can download this song here. (Special thanks to Yitzchok L. of LevTec Media for the Cover art.)
...Well, not quite. But it's the end of my iPod. My trusty 30gb iPod broke the other night after falling into a puddle of water. Now, all I get is a white screen. I no longer have a source of music for on-the-go, which is when I write all my reviews. Donations will be accepted in iPod ben JMDerech's memory. All proceeds will go to buying a new son, err... iPod.
I composed this song for my kallah to be sung under the chuppah, which will hopefully be sung by my brothers.
I do all the vocals and it was recorded with GarageBand for mac and a cheap computer microphone. Nothing special, but I wanted to post it so everyone could share in the simcha with me!
(Special thanks to Moshe S. for his talented keyboard playing.)
Download them by clicking the Divshare logo on the music player.
What's on your 3 weeks acapella iTunes playlist? Click on the picture to enlarge it and see what I'm listening to. For those of you who can't see it, my top 5 are:
Ari Goldwag - Ribono Six13 - Ki Liolam Chasdo Shloime Kaufman & A.K.A. Pela - Sunshine in the Rain Ari Goldwag - Ad Ana Bechiya A.K.A. Pela - Nar Hayisi
As you may have guessed from the counter on top, I've been spending time with my kallah and that's why I haven't been posting. I'll be back in the near future!
Hello dear readers. I'yH, I'm getting married in a couple months and need to form a list of songs to be played at my chassunah. I'm drawing blanks! Perhaps you can help me out! Post a comment or send me an email.
You've got to love kids! Although sometimes they can interfere with the daily happenings of our lives, they are too innocent and cute to stay upset at. As much as I would love to go on about the wonderful moments that coincide with childhood, I'd like to talk about something else. Something related. Something we call, their voices.
My first experience of hearing a child's voice on an album was back when I was a child myself. I had heard the Miami Boys Choir's, B'siyata D'shmaya, and the wonderful voice of Jonathan Paley. I thought to myself "Finally! No more annoying men's voices!" You see, I grew up without sisters, I don't recall my brother's singing, although they were in a choir (ya, I was a space out), and my mother never sang. Subsequently, I never experienced the wonderful feeling that comes with the innocence of a child's voice. However, once I did hear that classic Miami album, not only did I enjoy those melodious voices immensely, it made me want to aspire (I say want, because I don't know where to start!) to be a singer as well.
In more contemporary times, children voices have become in high demand. Children no longer remain in choir form. There are other options as well, such as: Shalsheles Jr. (group of four); Sheves Achim (two brothers); and solo artists Meydad Tasa & Simcha Levinstein. Not to mention the countless guest appearances by children on the latest albums (i.e. Ami Eller on Shea Rubenstein's Ohavti).
People, we need more of the above mentioned albums. Obviously the voices of the kids on those albums have probably matured by now, but the beauty of children is, there are lots of them! Among my circle of friends, all of them love Shalsheles Jr and Sheves Achim, and wish there were more of these albums. Yes, it costs a lot of money to make an album, however, these albums appear to be more successful than most. Why? Because people love hearing the gadlus of a child's voice.
Forgive me my loyal readers (if there are any of you!), for I have been terribly busy lately. I will try to post as soon as possible. My next review should be coming out sometime in the coming weeks, it will be on my favorite album of all time. Guess if you can!
Oorah's version of "American Idol" is over. The winner? Yonatan Shlagbaum (Here's a link to the article, courtesy of Lifeofrubin). I always wondered how they determine the winner. Who is voting for these guys? How many submissions of different hopefuls do they receive?
Maybe I should give it a try!? Here's a rendition of me singing Tov Lehodos. (I'm doing the harmonies as well.)
Or perhaps I should find a different career? lol.
(Yes I know I'm saying U'Lhagid... it just fits better! =D)
