Sorry For Not Posting Recently

We are terribly sorry for not posting anything recently. We are very busy during this time. We hope to be back, up and running sometime after the summer.


On a different note, I encourage everyone to check out a very nice review written by JM Derech on YBC 4 (Shmoy Shel Melech). It can be read on his blog, or on Jewish Music Report.

Well ... I'm Back Everybody

Well, I managed to get back to my computer a couple of days early.

I will try to get back on the same schedule as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Admin

A Tribute To Jo Amar

Please visit JewishMusicReport.com, to see a tribute by: ShmuliPhoto...

Farewell To Everybody, Especially You Our Readers !

(Picture courtesy of TheCoolJew.com)

It is tonight, Tuesday, June 30, 2009, that I sadly announce that I will not be posting on the blog until, August 29. I am not excited about this, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I wish I could stay and post some more but I will not be around during the summer. So this is the JewishMusic26 Admin signing off. Until next time, goodbye! I will miss you all! There will not be updates during the summer, but we will update when we have the chance. But, please check back after the summer, and look forward to the same, if not more updates and we might even change it a little. Don't think I wont miss you, of course I will miss you, our readers, the people that give us all of the support. Feel free to send us your feedback through the contact form (click the red link on the side of the blog). I will miss you, and the music, which I love. And, remember to get the new albums which posted about that are coming soon. So I will once again say GOODBYE!! Remember, look forward to more after August 29. PLEASE NOTE: E-mails will not be answered during the summer.

-- JewishMusic26 Admin

LIPA Awarded With Microphone Trophy On The LIPA Cruise

(Source: Its unbeLIPAble!!!!!!!!!!)

This trophy was awarded to LIPA Schmeltzer on behalf of K'lal Yisrael for his outstanding achievement in becoming the greatest Yidisha Performer, Entertainer, Actor, Composer and singer. Thus bringing Simcha to people, and bringing them closer to Hashem. Tizkeh L'Mitzvos LIPA!


The engraving on the trophy says "To Lipa, The Greatest Yidisha Performer / Singer Bringing Simcha To All"

Kol Isha Of JewishMusicReport.com: Yosef Chaim: Lo Lefached - Review

(Via: JewishMusicReport.com | By: Kol Isha)

Let me tell you this right from the start. If you’re hoping to read some kind of comparison between Yaakov and Yosef Chaim Shwekey, you might as well stop reading right now. This review is about Yosef Chaim Shwekey and his debut CD, Lo Lefached. Despite the similarity between their voices, Yaakov Shwekey had nothing to do with this CD and I see no reason to mention him here.

If you really want to discuss Yosef Chaim Shwekey’s brother, we can talk about his brother Moshe Dovid, who composed five of the eleven songs on this album and penned the lyrics for a sixth. Makes you wonder if there are any other Shwekey brothers out there, waiting in the wings for their chance to dazzle us.

But this review is about Yosef Chaim Shwekey. There’s no doubt he has a good voice and is a talented singer. While this album is not a contender for album of the year, it clearly showcases Shwekey’s vocal abilities. I think his song selection needed work, perhaps because he took so many songs from the same composer. Using a variety of composers would have made this album more well rounded. No question this guy would make a terrific wedding singer. No matter what route he decides to pursue, I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

So much has been written about the cover to this album. Was leaving his last name off a good move? While I understand why he didn’t use the Shwekey name, if I were producing this album, I would have done it differently. As for the last minute change to the album cover, check out: Jewish Music Derech, Life of Rubin, The Cool Jew.com, Jewish Music Review and Jewish Blogmeister.

Ok, time to get down to business.

Emes – This great opening song, composed and arranged by Moshe Laufer, gets the album off to a terrific start. Shwekey sounds great, the song is catchy and the choir is well done. This solid song leaves you with high expectations for the rest of the album. It is without a doubt my favorite fast song on the album.

Hashleich – this slow song is the first of five songs composed by yet another Shwekey brother, Moshe Dovid. The lyrics, like many others on this CD are a good choice: a little off the beaten path, but not so much so that you can’t figure out what they are. Nicely arranged by Yonatan Razel.

Lo Lefached – This upbeat tune was composed by Mendy Werzberger, Yitzy Schwartz and Moshe Dovid Shwekey, with arrangements by Ruvi Banet. I’m not quite sure why this song was chosen to be the title track. If they wanted a fast song for the title track, I think Emes would have been a stronger choice.

Torasi – Pretty slow song, composed by Yitzchok Rubin with beautiful arrangements by Moshe Laufer. All the vocals on this song are solid. Aside from Shwekey’s, child soloist Yehuda Mendlowitz does a terrific job as does Moishe Roth’s choir. I’m not convinced that the third part that comes in from about 4:17 – 4:47 was really necessary. Again, great choice of lyrics which echo the mood of the song nicely.

Song of Our Travels/Ani Maamin – Ani Maamin is actually the last song on the CD but since it’s just a Hebrew version of Song of Our Travels., it made sense to discuss them together. The song concept is a solid: no matter what tragedies have befallen our nation, we have always managed to find the strength to sing the words “Ani Maamin.” But as someone whose family was decimated by World War II, I take umbrage when people drop lyrics like “train” and “siren” into a song and assume people will automatically be moved or inspired because they used the magic words. Given that I can’t be objective about this song, I can’t possibly review it.

Biglal Avos – The first few seconds of this song made me think someone had switched the CD for Dovid Gabay’s Hagomel. This leibidic, upbeat song is another contribution by Moshe Dovid Shwekey. I’m sure Mama Shwekey is shepping lots of nachas.

Margoa – This pretty slow song is probably the strongest song Moshe Dovid Shwekey contributed to this album. Yisroel Lamm’s arrangements give this song a distinctly different flavor than the others. Loved the introduction and this song definitely gives Yosef Chaim a chance to shine. Am I the only one who had to look up the word “margoa” to see what it meant?

Eilecha – This upbeat song is one of Moshe Dovid Shwekey’s better songs with arrangements by Moshe Laufer. Shwekey sounds great and the song is pretty catchy.

Yerushalayim – Someone want to tell me why this song got buried at the end of this album? This hartzig song, composed and arranged by Moshe Laufer is hands down the best song on the album and quite possibly the only song on this album that we may still be hearing in six months. Everything about this song works and I love it. I would have given the song a different name, bumped it up to song number three and made it the title track.

Chaveirim – Another upbeat tune, composed by Moshe Dovid Shwekey with arrangements by Moishe Roth. Oddly enough, while the most of this album has songs that are bursting with innovative lyrics, this one just seems like it doesn’t have enough words in it.

CHAZAK! 13 - The Bar Mitzvah Celebration

(Via: TheJewishInsights.com)

The Moses & Aaron Foundation invites you to a Bar Mitzvah Celebration: CHAZAK 13. Starring DOVID GABAY, SHLOIME DACHS, SHLOMO SIMCHA & YOSEF CHAIM. Special Appearance by THE FIDDLER RABBI Rabbi Litt.
Music by the Shloime Dachs Orchestras. Special Music Tribute to Mr. Izzy Taubenfeld z”l. Motzei Shabbos Nachamu August 1st, Doors Open 10:00pm Show begins 10:30pm SHARP! Sullivan Community College Field House [across from vacation village]] Loch Sheldrake, NY. For Tickets please Call: 212-560-0992 or visit JewishTickets.com