I've been a fan of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band for many years because their leader is the former cantor of our synagogue and I've been to several parties and services where they have electrified all of us celebrants with their contagious joie de vivre and virtuoso playing and singing. Rabbi Joe Black was new to me and as soon as I heard his mellifluous voice, exuberant phrasing and original lyrics, I was smitten.
I love this CD. The joyous celebratory spirit of Rabbi Joe Black and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band perfectly matches the mood of Chanukah.
The one serious song on this CD, Faith is not a Flag, is achingly inspiring as it profiles three people who embody the true selfless meaning of faith.
I've always found the Dreidel song to be boring, but the yodel version of it on this CD is a hoot!
Reviewed by Terry Soto, BuzzFlash.com
Description from CD Case:
EIGHT NIGHTS OF JOY
Rabbi Joe Black with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
One magical night... The sixth night of Chanukah, 5767 (December 20, 2006), Temple Sholom, Chicago, Illinois. Rabbi Joe Black, a leading voice in contemporary American Jewish music, and The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, one of the world's premier klezmer ensembles, came together for a very special family Chanukah concert that had been years in the making. This live recording captures the exuberance of Rabbi Joe's music and the energy and creative genius of some of the world's top klezmer musicians. This CD serves up a tasty mixture of traditional and contemporary Chanukah tunes, favorite Rabbi Joe songs, and classic klezmer cuts, in styles that range from rock n' roll to bluegrass, funk to jazz fusion, traditional klezmer to Ladino to country yodeling. And it all works seamlessly in a joyous celebration of Chanukah!
TRACK LIST
1. Eight Nights of Joy
2. Crazy Dreydl
3. Open the Gates (Pitchu Li)
4. Chanukah Lights
5. Soufganiot
6. Galitzianer vs. Litvak
7. Ocho Kandelikas
8. Yodel Dreydl
9. Little Dreydl
10. Who Led the Slaves Out?
11. Faith Is Not a Flag (Duomo)
12. Build a Sukkah
13. Abi Gezunt
14. Kolomeikes
15. Shine
16. Leave a Little Bit Undone
17. Yoshke
18. Judah Maccabee
19. Candle Blessings
20. Chanukah Sing-Along Medley
Total running time: 66 minutes, 56 seconds
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Joyous Chanukah CD with Rabbi Joe Black and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
Rabbi Joe Black and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
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