Music

Avi, one of Ariel’s ZT’L best friends, used to come to Ariel’s hospital room, hold my son’s hand and sing songs for him. One of my most vivid memories is Ariel’s last Passover, when Avi recited Shir Hashirim, The Song of Songs for Ariel in the Intensive Care Unit.

Music lifted my son’s soul.

Avi has just written to me and told me that he and some Yeshiva friends have cut an album of Jewish music and let me tell you, it is stunning. You can go here to order it, and to listen to samples of the beautiful tunes. Cut number six, Yisimcha, is Avi’s voice.

The other day, after hours and hours of writing, I stepped into the house for a break. There was a knock at the door and hermit that I am I peeked through the wooden slats. Who can that be in the middle of the afternoon? I worried.

I breathed a sigh of relief and opened the front door.

“Here,” said Sharon Katz, Eitan’s mother, “Here’s Eitan’s new album. The second song is dedicated to Ariel’s memory.”

L’maancha is another beautful Eitan Katz CD and I recommend it to all Seraphic Secret readers.

Have a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.

As a follow up to my blog about the music we listen to, let me add two wonderful CD’s by the Yeshiva of Flatbush HS Choir: Nashir B’ron, and Triumph of the Spirit. Both discs are stunning choral works with songs that cover a wide range of emotional notes. There are lovely ballads, and rockin’ tunes. There are traditional songs of praise to HaShem and original songs and arrangements that are simply stunning. The music on both discs are directed by the talented Hillel Henkin and both are absolutely superb.

How good is the Flatbush choir? Once, in the car with Ariel ZT”L, I punched the CD button and the Flatbush choir blasted from the speakers. It’s a mixed choir, boys and girls, and so I apologized to Ariel, and moved to turn the music off. But Ariel stopped me, explaining that since he could not distinguish the male from the female voices, well, then it was sort of okay for him to listen to the music. I stole glances at Ariel as we drove along and saw him moving his head rhythmically in time to the music. Now, whenever I listen to the Flatbush choir, I think of that moment, and I am grateful to the boys and girls of the Flatbush choir for giving Ariel so many hours of musical joy.

I cannot find any links to purchase these discs, so I recommend calling the school directly: I believe that Bebe Levitt, the Director of Flatbush Alumni, is the right person to speak to. Tell Bebe that I sent you: (718)377 – 1100

Music. I only seriously started listening to Jewish music when Ariel ZT”L, and the girls started making us aware of the great variety that is now available. For years I stuck mainly to classical music: Mozart, Bach, you know, the usual suspects. And oh yes, my very favorite Rock group The Feelies, an obscure band from New Jersey who have produced some of the most amazing Rock & Roll I have ever heard.

So now I’d like to recommend a few discs that I find myself listening to over and over again.

Brothers Eitan and Shlomo Katz hail from Los Angeles, in fact, right from my neighborhood. Ariel loved their music and one day, a few months before Ariel died, Eitan Katz came over to our house and gave Ariel a private concert. Ariel was so happy, so grateful. He sat in his chair, hummed along and tapped his hand in beat to the music. I will never forget Eitan’s kindness and now when I listen to his music, well, it brings me back to that day, to those moments of joy. Every chord is a madeleine. Their disc Biglal Avos is absolutely brilliant and the disc I listen to most often.

The cover cautions: For Ladies Only. But I listen to Silver Lining, by The London Girls, almost daily. The music is up-tempo, charming, and what can I say, these British girls make you smile. Much better than The Spice Girls, the last all girl import from England.

For some completely original and shockingly beautiful harmonics, listen to Jewphoria. This group’s music is A Cappela, which means no instruments, only voices. The members of this fine Chicago group arrange traditional and Yiddish tunes in unexpected and original ways. Their voices become the instruments and the musical experience is sublime. I have all their discs and I can only say that each one is a masterpiece. Pay close attention to their female soloist, Rebecca, she’s the Jewish Billie Holiday. Her husband Steve does all the arrangements. It must be a harmonious marriage. Ouch! couldn’t resist.

We also all regularly listen to the Stella K Abraham Choir, produced by the girls at The Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, in The Five Towns, NY. Unfortunately I cannot find any links to the disc so I have no idea how to go about purchasing it. I got my copy from my girls; they got it from their friends, who got it from their friends, who got it from — well, you get the idea. You might try calling the school to get a copy. It is well worth the search. This is wonderful music filled with lovely melodies, unusual arrangements, and soaring soloists. Musically, it’s a glimpse into the collective Jewish soul.

Note to musicians: If you’d like me to listen to and review your Jewish CD on Seraphic Secret, drop me a note and I’ll let you know where to send your disc.