Vessels by Greg Siegle

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- George Robinson, The Jewish Week 9/23/05

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"Takes melodies traditionally sung during Shabbat

services, removes the words and dicovers their

hidden potential"

- Jill Cueni Cohen, The Jewish Chronicle 7/7/05

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Notes (from Back Cover): "Words are the pen of the heart, but melody is the pen of the soul" - Rabbi Schnuer Zalman

Music is the vessel that makes the same centuries-old Jewish texts reflect peace or restlessness; strength of conviction or yearning. The instrumental arrangements on this CD are explorations of the vessels. The pieces slip back and forth between familiar melodies and interpretations that begin where the words leave off.

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A portion of the procedes go to Temple Ohav Shalom in Alison Park, PA.

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GREG SIEGLE is a unique presence in Jewish music. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, his style blends the percussive two-handed guitar sounds of Michael Hedges and celtic stylings reminiscent of Pierre Bensusan with articulations characteristic of the most ancient Jewish music, including microtones and arrhythmia. Siegle once again proves that he is equally at home on the guitar, mandolin, and even the banjo on this CD.

Long time musical partners from the band KOL HAKAVANAH join Siegle on this primarily instrumental tour de force. SHARA TAYLOR's flute lends lush backdrops and intense melodic structure on four tracks. Cello virtuoso JEFF BORREBACH's improvisations on Oseh Shalom bob and weave around Siegle's guitar creating a meditative yet stirring whirlwind of energy. JULIE NEWMAN's haunting multi-layered vocals on the Cracow Niggun perfectly complement the staccato two-hand tapping guitar arrangement in an ecstatic, powerful, and seamless blend. The only words on the CD are sung by SHIRA KLINE (of ShirLaLa fame - www.shirlala.com) at the climactic end of L'Cha Dodi, allowing the arrangement to build to a peak only the human voice can reach.

Melodies:

Mizmore Shir - Carlebach

Tzadik Katamar - Maslo

L'Cha Dodi - Chassidic & Carlebach

Hashkiveinu - Taubman

Oseh Shalom - Hirsch

Cracow Niggun - Carlebach

Kaddish Shalom - Chassidic / Barash setting

Adon Olam - Aloni

Hodown La Sultan - From 19th century Hodu Lasultan

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