MP3 Rob Tobias and Friends - By The River

Upbeat folk-pop and Jewish Americana. It ranges from upbeat minor Jewish circle dance to contemporary ballads, reggae, and world folk. Universal and spiritual with Jewish content and some hebrew words but you sure don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the mus

16 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, WORLD: Judaica



Details:
A song cycle from the world of Jewish Renewal, Eugene style, or as local Rabbi Hanan Sills says, Rob Tobias songs are like âold wine in new bottlesâ. Indeed many of the songs on the new CD have been used as part Rabbi Hananâs, Ad Olam / Synogouge Without Walls services. Some of the songs were also inspired by a tour of Israel that Rob and a group of 20 people, including flute playing friend Maxxine, took in December 2003. The music can be described as contemporary Jewish folk or even Jewish Americana.

Some of the songs are familiar prayers or songs set to a new tune or arrangement. Hi Ney Matov, Shâma, and Rock of Ages all are given new treatments. Traveling Again is a song about the past Jewish experience of having being uprooted and having to travel to find a new home. This was written in preparation for the trip to Israel and the Jordan River Song was written while staying on the Kfar Blum Kibbutz on the Jordan in northern Israel.

The CD features the flute of Maxxine, mandolin and sitar by Jeremy Wegner and vocal harmonies by Nancy Wood and others. Rob Tobias plays acoustic guitar, keyboard, and harmonica. Rich Glauber plays bass and some piano with Ken Sokaloff on drums and percussion. Rob Tobias and Friends, based in Eugene, Oregon, have performed at community centers, festivals, celebrations, clubs, and cafes throughout the Northwest. They have released four other CDs, Constant Rain in 1994, Bagel Roots & Water Dogs in 1998, Sparks in 2000 and World in the World in 2003.