Review: Malei Olam

Malei Olam is Shlomo Katz's latest release, following the successful debut of V'hakohanim as well as a joint project on K'shoshana with Aaron Razel and Chaim Dovid. The influence of Shlomo's self-stated spiritual mentor, Reb Shlomo Carlebach, can be seen through his style of music which also encorporates Israeli rhythms and accents, differentiating his style from his brother and another great singer, Eitan Katz. I'll tell you upfront that I was very impressed with this CD, so much so out of all the albums I own I decided to try and put out my first music review using this one. As I do not have the book jacket in front of me, 200 miles away from home, I may be missing information on guest appearances or composers (I know one song is a Carlebach song buy I'm not sure which). Either way, here we go:

V’af Al Pi: Shlomo starts off the album with a slow song; something that I’m seeing more and more with newer releases. This song is a brilliant composition and gives you the feel for what to expect from the rest of the songs. It’s soft, heartfelt and meaningful. The violin at the beginning adds a nice touch as does the rest of the instrumental accompaniment. This song was first released a couple months back (see here) and it definitely gave me something to anticipate from the rest of the album. The interlude at 3:01 is particularly moving. I don’t know why but every time I hear it, it reminds me of the African savannah. Strange, right?

Hazorim Bedimah: Another slow song. Not a big fan of the opening music but once the lyrics get started this song really starts to take off. Again, the essence of this song is the beautiful medley. It’s repetitive (yes, I know that Jewish music is repetitive but this one a bit more so than others) but it has beauty in it's simplicity. The higher and lower parts all flow into each other creating an enjoyable and singable zemer for an opportune time like the Shabbos table or long car rides.

Shma Koleinu: Wow, now we’re moving up the tempo! I love fast songs and while the first two songs we’re beautiful they’re nothing you can get up and dance to. Great electric guitar rock beginning! The chorus- v’kabel brachamim u’vratzon, has a pumped up beat while the shma koleinu part is a bit more soft rock Israeli. This song makes me think of something that Aryeh Kuntsler might perform. This is a fun song. Enjoy!

Ana Avda: Moving back to slow now. The lyrics begin with Ava Avda and then switch to the words from Asapra Lesudasah at 1:51. I love how the melody and the words flow together but I’m just not enjoying the choice of instruments. It's great when Shlomo is singing but the musical interludes are when it gets bothersome.

Yartzeit Niggun: It's hard to describe such a Niggun so I'll just use one word: stunning.

Od Yishama: I’ve spotted my new favorite song! I just can’t stop playing it. The music has this great folksy feel and the simcha just jumps right out. Everything from the beginning to the end is fun and leibedik. It has rhythm, a great choice of instruments and Shlomo’s vocals at 2:40 are the highlight of the song.. At first I wished that it would have been longer but then I realized that the length keeps you coming back for more instead of getting bored from it dragging on.

K'vodo: While this song is titled K'vodo, the title for the album, Malei Olam, can be found here as part of the lyrics. Gorgeous violin solo right off the bat. Then guest singer, Avshalom Katz, Shlomo's father and an accomplished singer and chazzan, begins to sing. I have never heard Avshalom before but his voice is so deep and rich. A great choice on Shlomo's part to include his father as it adds so much to the song. Shlomo appears at 2:04, letting his father have the spotlight until then. The two of them together afterward just make this song a hit. A++

Niggun Mitzpe: From what I remember reading on the book jacket this song was inspired from a place that Shlomo is very connected to in Israel, Mitzpe Nevo. His first niggun which became a huge hit, Niggun Nevo, was also from Shlomo's connection to this community, hence the names of the niggunim. I love Niggun Nevo but this has no similarities in any shape or form to it's predecessor. It just reminds me too much of cowboys and barnyard square dances. It's got a good beat but I'll pass on this niggun.

B’chayechon: Hmmm, how to classify this song . . . probably a medium tempo, like a slow song with beat. This is a good song and it’s got the same soft/sweetness that we’ve already come to expect but I’m not overly excited about it. Listen for the nice harmony at 00:51

Yom Shekulo: The final song and it's a great one to end off with. After a packed and uplifting CD this song sort of places you softly back down leaving you wanting to press play and start all over again. Thinking about it, all the songs just seem to blend right into each other, in a positive way, and that's what makes this CD all the more impressive. Yom Shekulo is slow and meaningful, powered with a sense of sweet simcha dripping from the words and voices. I think that's Aaron Razel I hear starting at 00:50. The whole song is just great.

So that's all folks. My final impressions are simply that this is an album worth giving a chance. As an avid JM follower I'm usually inclined to listen to fast and upbeat simcha music but the d'veikus of these compositions give the neshama a different type of boost and is a breath of fresh air when you just need something to calm down with. The simplicity of the compositions is really the essence of this album’s beauty. Some people need more to work with to create a better product but Shlomo takes simple verses and soft tunes and creates gems. A really nice job all around.

Mishpacha Interviews Authors

"A Shabbos Story at It's Best"

This past weeks Mishpacha Magazine (Issue 274) had an interesting interview with two big name Jewish authors, Yair Weinstock and Yeruchem Landesman. In They were asked some great and insightful questions and I was very impressed by the level of responsibility these two authors felt towards imparting their ideas and stories onto the klal, as well as the appropriate kavanos they have when they write their stories. In much of society writing is solely a means of earning a living but it's nice to see these two Chassidish authors who feel that it is also a way of Avodas Hashem. Rabbi Weinstock even gives some examples of people who were influenced positively by his stories, so much show that it further influenced their growth towards Hashem.

Here's one of the questions that was asked:

Reb Yeruchem, you're not daunted by the new computerized generation that has encroached upon the reading market?

"The Jewish People are the People of the Book. There is no substitute for a good story written black on white. The small setback in popularity is only marginal. Our youth grew up on books, not on computers. When I deliberated about publishing a book, it was Reb Yair (Weinstock) who pushed me to do so with his hearty encouragement."

Hey There!

Just got two new books today- "Search Judaism" by Rabbi Yitzchak Fingerer, and "It's Never too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough" by Rabbi Yissochor Frand. Both are new releases and look great. I hope to give them a good read over Shabbos and report back to you ASAP. Also, look out for some of the music side of this blog with a review of Shlomo Katz's new CD, Malei Olam, coming soon. Those of you who aren't familiar with it yet, this is definitely an album that is worth giving a good listen. Be back soon!

A Beautiful Rendition of Machnisei Rachamim

Orad Katz & Tsudik Grindwald Machnise Rachamim from "The Rebbe's Dream" Heichal Hatarbut Tel Aviv

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Moments: Unexpected and Incredible Moment's In Our Lives, by Nachman Seltzer
-It's Never Too Little, It's Never Late, It's Never Enough, by Rabbi Yissocher Frand
-Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish, by Doron Kornbluth
-Life is Now, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
-The Torah of Brisk - Rosh Hashanah-Yom Kippur, by Rabbi Shimon Yosef Meller
-Voice of Nobles: Commentary of the Dubner Maggid on the Book of Ecclesiastes, by David Zucker
-Rosewood Court, by Libby Lazewnik

Upcoming Releases:

- Delivery From Darkness: A Jewish Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression, by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein, Michal Finkelstein and Doreen Winter
-Festivals of Life: The Depth and Meaning of Mo'adim, by Rabbi Zev Leff
- The Yellow Notebook: A Novel, by Devorah Rosen
-The Daily Halacha, by Rabbi Eli Mansour
-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-The Legacy of the Mashgiach: The thought-provoking teachings of Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir and Ponevez
-Torah for your Table, by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis and Rabbis Yisroel and Osher Anshel Jungreis
-The Essential Malbim, by Rabbi Reuven Subar

It's Finally Here

After many delays and false release dates the new Yeshiva Boys Choir album, Shemoy Shel Melech, is now available for purchase. I was just listening to some clips on Mostlymusic and it sounds okay but you can't tell everything from just 30 second previews. I have to say that although I was not at the Big Event Concert I just bought the DVD (a great buy! Review coming soon) and I was very impressed with the "Pirchei Boys Choir" which from what I understand was just YBC singing the songs of the old Pirchei Choir and R' Eli Teitelbaum. The harmonies and solos were gorgeous with none of the shrieking that I have sometimes come to associate with YBC. They we're, to put it simply, phenomenal. I would hope that Eli Gerstner was able to recreate that same smoothness into this album. Anyways, when the CD becomes available in my local store I will try to pick up a copy and give it a good listen. I'd be interested to hear what you also thought of the album, and stay tuned for more Jewish music news and reviews here at the Jewish Book World.

Comic Laugh

People of the Book

Books are a wonder of creation which never ceases to expand and amaze. They are full of new and exciting information and there is always one out there for whatever mood you're in. When I was younger I remember my mother telling me that one of her greatest pleasures in life as a child was to curl up in bed on a rainy day with a cookie and a good book. I don't have trouble believing that since I have experienced that same wonderful pleasure myself- and it's not limited to bad weather days or to when you have some cookies lying around. Every day can be a book day. I personally find that Shabbos is the best day to sit down and lose yourself in a book or sefer. Put yourself in a comfortable environment and just read. Prepare ahead of time for moments where you will have to pass the time, like sitting at the DMV or a the doctors office, by bringing that new book you haven't had time for yet or the newest edition of Mishpacha Magazine. If you doubt that there is a book out there that could interest you try walking into a large bookstore like Eichlers in Brooklyn or Shanky's in Yerushalayim, take a step back and you will be amazed at the never ending line of row after row of bookshelves piled high with books. Go to the Library of Congress and see how many categories of books exist within those walls. Humanity does not lack for reading material. Food, maybe, but not books!

My young brother has a book called The Very Best Gift by Genendel Krohn. It's a cute book that describes the giving of the Torah in a fun to read rhyme. I have made an observation about the Torah which has led me to believe why it is the very best gift. It never ends! I get overwhelmed walking into a Rav's house and seeing how many seforim line the walls. To imagine that one person could learn through those thin pages and thick books in a lifetime, and that's just referring to the books that were on those particular shelves! There is a book that was on the NY Times Bestsellers List called The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs, which is the quest of one man (the author) to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. One certainly views that as a great accomplishment- it's one of the most comprehensive lists of knowledge in the secular world. However, the Encyclopedia is but a drop in the sea compared to how many seforim currently available (and still growing) we have access to and that are being learned. The Gemara alone is tremendous in size and there have been uncountable numbers of commentaries written since then. Only a work such as the Torah, which is from the Hand of our G-d who is infinite, could give forth such a stream of knowledge which is still growing. Hafoch Ba V'Hafoch Ba D'Kula Ba- turn it (the Torah) and turn it for everything is within it. The quantity of knowledge out there shouldn't intimidate, rather it should excite because you know that there will always be something waiting for you to dig right into.