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Tuning the Soul: Worlds of Jewish Sacred Music by Richard Kaplan and Michael Ziegler
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fave it Middle East | Judaica
18 tracks | 58 minutes
Released Jul 2002
on Four Gates Music
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:21 Bar'chu - Yemen lyrics BUY MP3 01:21 Bar'chu - Yemen lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:21 Bar'chu - Yemen
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:09 Hallelu Adonai - South Asia lyrics BUY MP3 03:09 Hallelu Adonai - South Asia lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:09 Hallelu Adonai - South Asia
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:27 Ki Eshmerah Shabbat - Jerusalem lyrics BUY MP3 04:27 Ki Eshmerah Shabbat - Jerusalem lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:27 Ki Eshmerah Shabbat - Jerusalem
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:20 Eli Yah Eli - Syria lyrics BUY MP3 04:20 Eli Yah Eli - Syria lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:20 Eli Yah Eli - Syria
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:57 Rav's Niggun - Belarus lyrics BUY MP3 06:57 Rav's Niggun - Belarus lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:57 Rav's Niggun - Belarus
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:17 Yah Ribon - Iraq lyrics BUY MP3 04:17 Yah Ribon - Iraq lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:17 Yah Ribon - Iraq
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:49 El Adon - Jerusalem lyrics BUY MP3 04:49 El Adon - Jerusalem lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:49 El Adon - Jerusalem
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:39 Kinah - Eastern Europe lyrics BUY MP3 01:39 Kinah - Eastern Europe lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:39 Kinah - Eastern Europe
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:55 Zochreynu l'Chaim - South Asia lyrics BUY MP3 02:55 Zochreynu l'Chaim - South Asia lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:55 Zochreynu l'Chaim - South Asia
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:10 Hosha Na - Eastern Europe lyrics BUY MP3 02:10 Hosha Na - Eastern Europe lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:10 Hosha Na - Eastern Europe
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:02 Niggun of the Besht - Galicia lyrics BUY MP3 03:02 Niggun of the Besht - Galicia lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:02 Niggun of the Besht - Galicia
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:24 Tiskabeyl - Poland lyrics BUY MP3 02:24 Tiskabeyl - Poland lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:24 Tiskabeyl - Poland
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:08 Lecha Dodi - Morocco lyrics BUY MP3 03:08 Lecha Dodi - Morocco lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:08 Lecha Dodi - Morocco
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:49 Hallelu Avdey Adonai - Iraq lyrics BUY MP3 02:49 Hallelu Avdey Adonai - Iraq lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:49 Hallelu Avdey Adonai - Iraq
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:22 Psalm 150 - Jerusalem lyrics BUY MP3 02:22 Psalm 150 - Jerusalem lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:22 Psalm 150 - Jerusalem
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:14 Ana b'Koreynu - Turkey lyrics BUY MP3 03:14 Ana b'Koreynu - Turkey lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:14 Ana b'Koreynu - Turkey
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:42 Yigdal - Morocco lyrics BUY MP3 03:42 Yigdal - Morocco lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:42 Yigdal - Morocco
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:20 Bar'chu Reprise lyrics BUY MP3 01:20 Bar'chu Reprise lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:20 Bar'chu Reprise
Vocal performances of a host of under-exposed musical gems from around the Jewish world - Middle Eastern songs, Andalusian melodies, Hasidic nigguns and original Hebrew chants accompanied by a full ensemble of musicians.
Editorial review
Listening to this CD is essentially the same as listening to a religious service led by a very good cantor in a fairly large temple. Only two men collaborate on the album and, while they are both talented vocalists and instrumentalists, the songs tend to drag a bit at times, especially the songs where there are no backing instruments or vocals. Nor can the Californian duo re-create traditional regional music styles with a great deal of authenticity, although they have obviously tried. For example, except for its intro with a vaguely piano bar sound, "Zochreynu Chaim," which originated in South Asia, sounds much the same as the Syrian song "Eli Yah Eli." "Zochreynu" is the better song, though. In fact, it's one of the standouts on the CD. Another good one is the upbeat "Tiskabeyl," which originated in Poland. The lyrics are instantly recognizable ("Oseh shalom...shalom Yisrael...") and the jaunty klezmer style is fun. Most selections don't come anywhere near the energy level of "Tiskabeyl," however. The mood of the Eastern European track "Kinah" (it means "lament," and if you didn't know it already, you'd guess once you heard it) is exactly the same as "Niggun of the Besht." Both tracks are slow, melancholy, and sung a cappella. After listening to this album, it shouldn't come as any surprise when you discover that Richard Kaplan is in fact a cantor, while musical partner Michael Ziegler is a rabbi. The two have done a commendable job of digging up little-known melodies from far-flung parts of the world. Neither their respect for the subject matter nor their enthusiasm for the music can be denied. However, when all is said and done, this album is best taken as a lesson in Jewish music history or as a sampler of material for possible synagogue performance. ~ L. Katz, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
" I love this CD! 5 stars! " - New York Jewish Week
Nearly 6000 copies of TUNING THE SOUL have been sold in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe over the past six years!
Performing professionally as a singer, songwriter, and pianist for over 30 years, Richard Kaplan is also a Cantor, teacher, choral conductor and ethnomusicologist. McCoy Tyner said of him: "I like his music!"
Rabbi Michael Ziegler is a teacher, ritualist, producer, and director/owner of 7th Heaven Yoga Studio in Berkeley, California.
"There were a lot of terrific recordings issued last year, but none that I enjoy any more than I do this one. Kaplan and Ziegler have drawn on numerous sacred and folk music traditions, Jewish and otherwise, to find new or neglected settings for Jewish liturgical texts. The result is an album of haunting, moving music performed by both men and a cast of superb guest musicians.
↓ more ↓Average Customer Review:
one of my favoritesSEE wrote on April 10, 2008
Sacred and full of tradition
Love this music!sarahfishy wrote on October 25, 2008
Great stuff