Definitely not your father's old time melodies for the Sabbath.

13 MP3 Songs in this album (46:02) !
Related styles: SPIRITUAL: Jewish Folk, SPIRITUAL: Hebrew



Details:
"And Sarah Danced" was conceived four years before its 2008 release. As a Cantor for 37 years, I have thought very deeply about the liturgy and wondered, âWhat ifâ¦..?â And from that point of view the possibility of this CD and its new take was conceived. Itâs not that I donât enjoy the traditional Shabbat melodies. I do. But, I wondered what I could create that would give the congregant an opportunity to hear, feel and sing the same words from a new perspective, to invigorate, to energize and re-awaken those to whom it matters.

Here are my thoughts from the CD.

LâCha Dodi: Welcoming the Sabbath bride in an Appalachian-style. Simple melody, and a festive beat. The bride enters, white cotton dress, young, naïve and beautiful, a nervous groom awaits. Mimkomechah: A dream of a resurrected Zion starts slowly, longingly, evolves, becoming lilting, imagining a renewed Zion, resolving wistfully. Magen Avot: A traditional Israeli melodic form opens with the sparkling harmonics, the âShield of Our Fathersâ glistening in the light of G-dâs presence. A joyful celebration. Ahavat Olam: An Irish-style love song, a romantic, melodious reflection of G-dâs unbridled love for His people. Ma Tovu: A folksy melody, in the style of Peter, Paul and Mary, with simple instrumentation in their â60âs style. Mi Sheberach: A meditative lullaby of a parent asking G-d to restore her childâs health. VâShamru: The Sabbath and its covenant are an expression of love between Israel and G-d. Set as a tango, it depicts Israel as flirtatious, rather than faithful. Va YâChulu: The Kaballah says that during creation the angels harassed G-d for making a creature a mere step below them. Va YâChulu marks the first Sabbath. This rendition depicts a restive G-d, beset by doubt of his creation of humankind. Elohei NâShamah: Mantra in the style of Preservation Hall Jazz/Blues, affirming the purity of the soul, acknowledging our frailties, admonishing to love your neighbor as yourself. Or Chadash: The song yearns for a new light on Zion; the light of a renewed sense of morality, righteousness and religiosity for Zion, the city, and the people. Halleluyah: A celebration of G-dâs attributes, Psalm 150 in the style of Van Morrison; a joyful exhortation . Ashrei: In Pete Seegerâs style. A simple, moving message, bouncing melody calling us to G-dâs House. Adon Olam: Master of the Universe. in the mode of âThe Kingâ, Elvis may have left the building. But, G-d is eternal.

Here are some comments from early independent reviewers:

âIt sparkles!â

"â¦his singing is warm, rich, sincere and heartbreakingly beautifulâ

"â¦a beautiful voice, very sincere and almost haunting at times."

âEmil Skobeloff and Or Chadash have released an album of all new tunes to liturgical music called "And Sarah Danced.: The album is thoroughly American in concept, and takes the listener on a walk through fifty-plus years of American popular styles, attached to Jewish liturgical texts. Skobeloff succeeds in creating some good tunes and some are quite catchy. So for those fond of American style music for Jewish worship, check out this album. Several of the successful songs are the "Magen Avot", "Ma Tovu" and "Ashrei".â

These melodies are definitely not your fatherâs tunes. I hope you enjoy them.