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November 06, 2007
Moshe Skier's Rock of Sages: A Review
This is my relationship to music, honest to G-d:
1. I consider almost all music to be potential scores to the real thing—movies. Hence, when Amadeus was produced, I heaved a sigh a relief that Mozart's music was finally being put to some good use. Please, no hate mail. I confess, I'm a cultural Philistine.
2. I know screenwriters who listen to music as they write. Not me. I just write, or stare at the wall. Mostly stare at the wall.
3. Do I ever stick a disc into the player, sit back, chill, and just listen to music?
4. I do not chill.
5. I feel like I should be doing something else. Something, useful.
6. Like watching a movie that already has a great score. Some of my favorite movie scores are: Seven Samurau, Psycho, Zulu, Rebecca,Red River, and Barry Lyndon.
But: I do like to walk. However, I get bored walking. Hence I clamp on the ol' i-Pod and listen to music. Jewish music.
For the past few days, Moshe Skier's album Rock of Sages, has been my constant companion.
Some of you might know Skier as the fine blogger Psychotoddler.
Rock of Sages is a total joy. Every track just keeps me bouncing along. There's a user-friendly quality to Skier's voice and delivery. He's the guy next door who has a lovely voice that doesn't over-power but just slides into your soul and soothes you.
The arrangements are gloriously simple and rock-sold, like early 50's rock. Short, to-the-point, and sort of perfect. I kid you not, listening to Skier's CD I was constantly flashing on Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry, and of course Elvis. There are no long, flashy tiresome guitar or drum solos, just good, old-fashioned melody. As I was listening to the CD, I kept thinking to myself: Moshe is sort of like early Beatles, innocent, lovely, totally unpretentious. It's music that makes you smile, music that makes you want to hold someone's hand, and best of all it's Jewish music with none of the soul-crushing ay-yay-yay that is endemic to so many Jewish CD's.
In real life, Moshe Skier is a physician. His music has a healing quality that is hard to miss.
I love every single cut on this CD, and you know what, I might even sit down and play it when the strike is over and I start working on my next screenplay.
You can order Rock of Sages here. Highly recommended.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at November 6, 2007 12:08 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
No doubt, Mark's CD is worthy of your high and honest praise, but you truly would make a great PR person for someone. Can I sign you on as mine? :)
Posted by: Pearl at November 6, 2007 07:47 PM
I'm always searching for great Jewish music and ordered a CD on your recommendation.
What a lovely surprise to realize that Psychotoddler is an old friend of my brother's- they used to play music together in college, often practicing in my parent's basement.
For over twenty years I've been bemoaning the lack of "great" music-- the kind I heard as a kid.
Can't wait to hear this latest CD.
Thanks!
Posted by: Yael at November 6, 2007 08:03 PM
Pearl:
Mark's CD is great or I wouldn't bother giving it such a great review. He's also contributed nicely to my secret bank account in the Cayman Islands, much appreciated now that we screenwriters are out on strike.
Just kidding.
I'm a fan of Toronto Pearl, always have been.
(send check asap)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 6, 2007 08:36 PM
Yael:
Rock of Sages is so good that Moshe Skier will give you a full refund if everything I say isn't 100% true.
Poor Moshe, I make promises he has to keep:)
No really, it's a lovely album. I find myself humming the tunes as I walk the picket lines, and sit at my desk not writing screenplays, on strike for, um, MORE DOUGH!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at November 6, 2007 08:40 PM
The best thing about this review is that it reconnected me with Yael. Her parents fed me plenty of free chicken during those early years.
Not to mention that, during each of those band practices, we'd have to take a break, as her dad would yell down the stairs for us to all go next door to the shul and say the Mincha service with a minyan.
Then we'd get back to "rockin' the house" (literally).
Yael's family made a very real impression on me.
Posted by: psychotoddler at November 7, 2007 08:04 AM