Search - Various Artists :: Hidden Gate: Jewish Music Around the World

The best thing that happened to Jewish music

Leah Kravitz | New York | 09/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this cd as a gift, now I came back to amazon to buy it for all my friends. If you have not heard any Jewish music before, this is the best 2 disk set to addict you forever. If you buy (or get) every Jewish related cd like me, this is cd for you too. It has the best that Jewish music has to offer: merry folksongs, spiritually uplifting pieces, beautiful instrumentals, exotic tunes (they even have one from Zimbabwe!), and much much more. The first cd contains Jewish music that is not Klezmer, it is in Hebrew and Ladino, it comes from all over the world, from India to Brazil. Did I mention Zimbabwe? I generally am not so crazy about sephardic music, but this was just beautiful. What is especially amazing how well it all fits together, it is beautifully done, both artistically and musically. The second CD is even better. All stars of Klezmer music are there. Klezmatics, Brave Old World, Klezmer Conservatory Band, and all present their best songs. I think this is the best Klezmer compilation i have ever heard (and i own many). Chicken song by Henry Sapoznik is hilarious - it mixes English words in, so i was able to get some of it. An Australian band presents a beautiful Black Cat song in Yiddish, which mixes swing with Gypsy motifs. And of course, there are old time favorites, like Ale Brider and Shprayz zikh mir. The most unusual part of this CD is that liner notes have tons of information. They have 33 pages of fascinating history on PDF file on the first CD. It is very informative, and useful. Indeed, the perfect cd, and once again, i recommend it to everyone."

Sharing the Light: Jewish Music Around the Globe

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 01/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The gate may be hidden ... but those who find it ... and dare to pass through ... will be highly rewarded. This music is one of the best 2 CD compilations of 2003. It is a gem that glows brightly. This CD sends out a rainbow of colours in all directions. What makes it so special is the careful selections of music contained within it ...



Chava Alberstein on track #1 sings an Israeli song in a style reminiscent of Joan Baez or Judy Collins from the '60s & '70s. No doubt the message is just as meaningful to those who speak the language ... The next two tracks are among my favorites: Savina Yannatou, although Greek, sings Sephardic songs with a beautiful ethereal voice. She so captivated me when I first heard her, I searched far & wide to own more of her music. Ofra Haza provides stronge vocals and a Middle Eastern rhythm and flavour to her rendition of the Yeminite song, "Ayelet Chen". It has me spellbound and transfixed, everytime I listen. This compilation has unique examples of Jewish music from such exotic places as India, Morocco, Algeria, Uzbekistan, and even Zimbabwe.



I hope to discover more CDs by Romiel Daniel, who creates a fascinating spiritual experience with his track "Aischet Chayil". I recognize the tabla, but it is the melody and rhythm that has one transcending to energetic realms beyond description ... The Bukharan Jewish Ensemble Shashmaqam produces some really unusual and outstanding traditional music - a hypnotic spell is cast over me when hearing them play. Luckily, they produced a CD and I discovered where to buy it ... Fortuna, from Brazil sings in a sultry, almost torch-singer mode that includes recgonizable Jewish roots music in the style and melody.



The klezmer music revival of the '70s has blossomed around the world and many great examples of music are present on this CD. The Klezmatics, Brave New World, Alicial Svigals, Michael Alpert, and the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band all produce the finest music - anyone familiar with the genre, understands. Anyone unfamiliar just needs listen to one, *only* one track by *any* of these artists to feel the passion, energy, and spirit of this wonderful music. That which was concealed has now been revealed and the world of music will *never* be the same! My highest recommendations to buy! Erika Borsos (erikab93)"