I'm Going to Take off My Shoes (KH-Vel Oyston Di Shikh) - Alberstein, Cbava
La Mujer de Terah - Friedberg, Victor E
Mah l'Kha Ha-Yam Variation - Traditional
Feast of Lights - They Might Be Giant
Winter Lights - Mikbailova, Irina
Oh Hanukkah Groove - Traditional
In the Embryo of Silence - Himmelman, Peter
Song of Praise - London, Frank
While the first Festival of Light compilation focused on putting an eclectic and young spin on music for Hanukkah, this follow-up is slightly more mellow (but no less diverse). Danny Heines's "Singing Flames" gives his mes... more »merizing guitar work a hint of Middle Eastern rhythms; Dave Koz's "Memories of a Winter's Night" features the musician's smooth saxophone work; and the Klezmatics--joined by Israeli vocalist Chava Alberstein--perform the soulful klezmer number "I'm Going to Take Off My Shoes." There's a ton of great, genre-blurring music here, but the real gems come from jazz trumpeter Frank London. His big band composition "Oh Hanukkah Groove" is spiritual yet swinging, while his atmospheric "Song of Praise"--featuring London, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, and oud player Michael Kashou--is simply mesmerizing. --Jason Verlinde« less
While the first Festival of Light compilation focused on putting an eclectic and young spin on music for Hanukkah, this follow-up is slightly more mellow (but no less diverse). Danny Heines's "Singing Flames" gives his mesmerizing guitar work a hint of Middle Eastern rhythms; Dave Koz's "Memories of a Winter's Night" features the musician's smooth saxophone work; and the Klezmatics--joined by Israeli vocalist Chava Alberstein--perform the soulful klezmer number "I'm Going to Take Off My Shoes." There's a ton of great, genre-blurring music here, but the real gems come from jazz trumpeter Frank London. His big band composition "Oh Hanukkah Groove" is spiritual yet swinging, while his atmospheric "Song of Praise"--featuring London, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, and oud player Michael Kashou--is simply mesmerizing. --Jason Verlinde
"As a Jew who grew up with the song, " Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel I made out of clay" as the only song to Chanukah this CD opened up a whole new world of holiday music to me with a combination of music from around the continent. Also, it has a nice variety of up and coming musicians as well the regulars in the Jewish music industry. I especially was touched by the song Haneros Hallelu by Le'eyla. His voice is so soulful that I did not want the song to end. After you light the candles this Chanukah try to remember to say Haneros Hallelu after. It might be more inspirational."
Inspiring Chanukah Melodies for the Holiday
Timothy J. Slivinski | 12/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many seem to feel that this second volume in the Festival of Light series is not as good as the first. I do not agree, and in some ways I think it is actually stronger. Le'Eyla's opening track, "Haneros Halallu," is all I need to play to put me in the mood for Chanukah. A beautiful melody for this traditional prayer, I find myself playing it over and over. Neshama Carlebach's "A Love Trancsending" is another beautiful tune, haunting and moving. They Might Be Giants, an always quirky and offbeat group, give their take on the holiday with the wry "Feast of Lights," and it always makes me smile. Israeli vocalist Chava Alberstein is a standout with the Klezmatics on the Yiddish "I'm Going to Take Off My Shoes." As with the first CD in the series, the musical styles presented are varied, but they are all interesting and fun. Again, this is a great CD for getting into a Chanukah mood or frame of mind. As a bonus, it may expose the listener to some new or unfamiliar artists on the Jewish music scene."
A Little Light Music
Jodester | Long Island, NY | 12/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Aha! A Hanukkah CD that's fresh, eclectic, and not too folksy-sappy. This is an enchanting, original combination of music styles to enhance the Festival of Light. In particular, "La Mujer de Terah," a Sephardic selection, was astoundingly beautiful. My only regret is that some of the songs don't have a more obvious connection to Hanukkah."
~Lights Burning Bright~
Jodester | 12/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What an excellent CD! I'm not even officially Jewish [only 1/8th on my dad's side] but I keep the promise & the flame in my heart as well. What I like most about this Hanukkah CD is that it travels the globe with taste & style. Neshama Carlebach is simply exquisite-- her father would have been so proud; Dave Koz, smooth as usual; Continuo with those Turkish/Sephardic melodies & vocals by Berta Aguado BLOWS ME AWAY on La Mujer de Terah-- WOW! I could live without Peter Himmelman, but with art, like life, you get everything... including a little comedy relief from They Might Be Giants [Adam Sandler might have done equally as well in that slot...] Frank London with or without his Big Band is AWESOME-- Song of Praise is both solemn & dreamy. These are just the highlights folks! Get this CD!! From start to finish it's wonderful!"
Beautiful music inspired by Hannukah
Guardian of the Zen Sea | Looking after the sun and surf | 11/30/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD, a follow up pf the previous, and I beleive better, Festival of Light, contains a wide array of music for the Holidays--that other one---NOT Christmas! The music is always interesting and some pieces are outstanding, especially the one by Irina Mikhailova and Ira Stern. Others are a little too loud for me, like the piece by "They Might be Giants". But, OK, I admit that I don't really like full-blown Klezmer music. If I had to chose between the two, I would definitely get Festival of Light (1). If you already have that one, get this one next, you will enjoy it."