Hi Everybody!
I hope that you have been enjoying the holiday season and Ben, Matt and I wish you a Happy Chanukah, Chag Sameach and a Freylichen Chanukah. We have great holiday music for you to enjoy! Not only do we have the best in the great vintage music but Ben and Matt have brought to the show the best in the newest and most cutting edge Chanukah music. It’s really a great package and I hope you enjoy it! I will post the playlists at the end of this blog, but first, the big stories in Jewish music in this Chanukah season:
MATISYAHU SHAVES OFF HIS BEARD-THIS IS NEWS?
As my Bubby, may she rest in peace, would say, “nor in America” (only in America) would it be big news that Matisyahu, the reggae Chassidic artist, has shaved off his beard. So everyone is all up in arms. Is he no longer religious, has he given up his Jewish artistry and lots of other questions. What a mishegas! He has done a tremendous job of crossing his particular brand of Jewish music into the American mainstream. If it has gotten to the point where whether or not you have a beard signifies your Yiddishkeit, then we have much bigger problems to deal with. In the meantime Matisyahu’s song from last year for Chanukah called “Miracles” is a great song and it shows some change in his style and I am sure that he is continuing to evolve as an artist. His contributions are most important to Jewish music and pride and whatever the future holds for Matisyahu, we will anticipate his future music and wish him much success in the future!
THE MACCABEATS COVER MATISYAHU-IS IMITATION THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY?
This year the Maccabeats, who last year made a version of Taio Cruz’s hit “Dynamite” for Chanukah came out with their version of the Matisyahu hit “Miracles” referenced above. So again, were they ripping off the original or paying tribute to the original. This question has been around since the infancy of recording. Throughout the years, there have been countless recordings of other artists singing someone else’s song. In the music field, they are called “covers”. Sometimes they are better than the original and sometimes…not so good. I think that if a song is good, no harm in hearing different versions of it. In Jewish music that is certainly the case, so listen for lots of different versions of songs on the program!
THE CHANUKAH SHOWS
PROGRAM NO. 1-DECEMBER 18, 2011
Happy Chanukah-Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party-1954
Chanukah, O Chanukah- US Navy Band and Sea Chanters Chorus-1980
Oy Ir Kleineh Lichtelech (Oh You Little Candles)-Klezmer Conservatory Band-1984
Light Up The Night-Miami Boys Choir-1995
Blessings On The Candles-Jan Peerce-1964
All I Want For Chanukah Is Marilyn Monroe-Lou Menchell-1955
My Menorah (spoof of La Bamba-Richie Valens)-Shlock Rock-1989
Miracles Of Chanukah-Sol Zim-1979
Chanukah-Ray Middleton-Ten Jewish Holy Days In Song-1954
Al Hanisim (We Thank Thee For The Miracles)-Mordechai Ben David-1975
Never Give Up-Safam-1995
Drei Dreidle (Spin The Dreidle)-Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party-1954
Al Hanisim and B’Mai Matisyahu (Addition to the Amidah for Chanukah)-Cantor Uri Frenkel-1951
BEN’S SELECTIONS:
I Light It (spoof of “I Like It”-Enrique Iglesias)-613
S’Vivivon-Moshe Skir Band
Miracles-Matisyahu
Hanukah Mix-Omri Shalev
Candlelights-Maccabeats
Medley from 2008 White House Chanukah Party-Kol Zimrah
MATT’S SONG OF THE WEEK
Chanukah O Chanukah-Bare Naked Ladies
PROGRAM NO. 2-DECEMBER 25, 2011
Chanukah Medley-Miami Boys Choir-1995
Eight Days Of Chanukah (spoof “Those Were The Days”-Miriam Hopkin)-1980
Pischu Li (Open For Me)-Hallel-1990
Chanukah-Paul Zim-1985
Chanukah Night’s Alright (spoof “Saturday Night’s Alright”-Elton John)-Shlock Rock-1996
Cirba-Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party-1954
Y’Vonim Nikb’tzu Alai (Maoz Tzur)-Belz Chassidic Choir-1982
Al Hanisim (We Thank Thee For The Miracles)-Amudai Shaish Boys Choir-1978
Candles Of The Menorah-Safam-1995
Haneiros Halolu (We Light These Lights)-Ben Zion Shenker-1980
Menorah-Avi Kuntsler-1984
Mizmor Shir Chanukas Habayis (Psalm 30 A Song For The Dedication Of The Temple)-Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party-1954
Kol Rina (Hallel-The Sound of Joy-Psalm 118)-Avromi Flam-1997
Chanukah-Sol Zim-1979
BEN’S SELECTIONS
Oh Dreidle, Dreidle and The Chanukah Song-Bare Naked Ladies (ALSO MATT’S SONG OF THE WEEK)
Jewish Rock of Ages (spoofs of rock songs)-Aish
Chanukah Song (Third Version)-Adam Sandler
Miracles-The Maccabeats
I Get A Feeling (spoof of Black Eyed Peas)-Fountainheads
So there you have it. Two great shows of 60 years worth of the greatest music for Chanukah! Enjoy and let us add a special sparkle to your holiday! And be sure to check out all the great Chanukah videos on the net as well. We will have a regular edition of the show on Sunday January 1st as we start off 2012 with the best in Jewish music. Enjoy and spread the word!! We thank everyone for their support!!