No comments about The Joy of Chanukah.

2 comments about Chanukkah Story.

1. I heard this album broadcast on KUSC. It combines narration with musical performances. The music is wonderful -- they've found some Hanukkah songs I've never heard anywhere else, including many from the Sephardic tradition. The only drawback is that one doesn't necessarily want to hear the narration over and over.



2. Heard a bit of this CD on NPR Radio and simply had to buy it for myself. An excellent, most listenable piece that will add so very much appreciation of Chanukkah to anyone's life. Beautiful music, clear articulate narration...just great.

1 comments about Chanukah Party.

1. This cd is a priceless gem of Jewish spirit and tradition. Paul Zim is a fine musician and with this cd he yet again continues to surprise me with his talent. Pep? Zest? Gusto? None of these words remotely begin to describe how much enthusiasm Paul puts into his music. Chanukah Party stands out as the single-most innovative and inspiring collection of music that the 20th century has to offer. Keep up the good work, Paul. We're proud of you!

No comments about Hanukkah and All That Jazz: Jazz Interpretations of Traditional Hanukkah Melodies.

3 comments about Oy Chanukah!.

1. This tape was a Chanukah gift (what else?) from my sister some years ago, and has livened our Chanukah parties every year since. There is nothing better than eating latkes and playing dreidel than eating latkes, playing dreidel and letting the soulful klezmer clarinets wind their way into your heart.

   The tape includes a beautiful rendition of the Chanukah blessings, with a grandfather and grandson singing together. Between musical cuts, you will also hear a few stories of Chanukah in Eastern Europe, before the War--about lighting candles, making latkes, and celebrating in the shtetls. By now the elderly story-tellers may be gone, making these cuts the more important.

   Some music, like Chanukah, Chanukah, is quite traditional. But you will also be treated to the chants of Chasidim, and the stories and songs of the Chanukah heroes and heronies.

   When the stories and blessings are done, ask your children to put on their dancing shoes. You will love the Conservatory Band's special holiday tape. Alyssa A. Lappen




2. Oy Chanukah! is heard throughout our home before Thanksgiving and continues for a month. It is filled with joyful celebratory music, wonderful stories and thrilling Klezmer. Anyone wishing to relive the story of Chanukah as well as learn how it was celebrated in the shtetels of Europe will enjoy this tape. It is a great gift for a child as well as an adult. I am thrilled from hearing the first Klezmer notes to the last moving poem.



3. this recording is a ball to listen to with kids. It's got lots of lively kletzmer music and good hannukah stories. Kids will get up and dance (guaranteed).

5 comments about I'll Be Home for the Holidays.

1. This is an exquisite combination of classical and popular Christmas standards. The texture of the arrangements and quality of the recording make this album sound like you have three friends playing in your Music Room while you're in the kitchen baking. Highly recommended for children, for appreciating good sounds, and for adults, for a simple, basic lovely set of songs.



2. This is a wonderful CD. If you love chamber music, piano trios or just good Christmas music this one is highly recommended. I've had it for over a year now and have even secretly listened to it in the middle of the summer, just for the wonderful arrangements. So inventive. Love the sound they make.



3. The Eaken Piano Trio is a glorious combination of terrific talent! They play so well together, it is as if there are six hands, playing three different instruments with one mind. Try any recording you can find of this tremendous trio!



4. Simply wonderful with a continental, sophisticated and European flavor! Have images of entering the elegant lobby of some posh European hotel - like the Ritz on the Champs Elysee. The combination of piano, cello and violin are inspirational, meditative, and joyously reflective; and, resonate sounds from holidays past that need to be heard in the new millinneum!



5. The Eaken Trio, consisting of piano, cello and violin, is providing a soothing and unique holiday album with selections from classical and modern Christmas songs as well as some Chanukah melodies and a Chanukah medley. Each artist is a sensitive player, completely in sinc with their partners which makes for a beautiful CD. The arrangements are terrific. Those who celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas in their families will enjoy this CD, and you could even find December wedding music on this album. There are both secular and sacred melodies here and I am enjoying all of them.

3 comments about Oy Chanukah!.

1. This tape was a Chanukah gift (what else?) from my sister some years ago, and has livened our Chanukah parties every year since. There is nothing better than eating latkes and playing dreidel than eating latkes, playing dreidel and letting the soulful klezmer clarinets wind their way into your heart.

   The tape includes a beautiful rendition of the Chanukah blessings, with a grandfather and grandson singing together. Between musical cuts, you will also hear a few stories of Chanukah in Eastern Europe, before the War--about lighting candles, making latkes, and celebrating in the shtetls. By now the elderly story-tellers may be gone, making these cuts the more important.

   Some music, like Chanukah, Chanukah, is quite traditional. But you will also be treated to the chants of Chasidim, and the stories and songs of the Chanukah heroes and heronies.

   When the stories and blessings are done, ask your children to put on their dancing shoes. You will love the Conservatory Band's special holiday tape. Alyssa A. Lappen




2. Oy Chanukah! is heard throughout our home before Thanksgiving and continues for a month. It is filled with joyful celebratory music, wonderful stories and thrilling Klezmer. Anyone wishing to relive the story of Chanukah as well as learn how it was celebrated in the shtetels of Europe will enjoy this tape. It is a great gift for a child as well as an adult. I am thrilled from hearing the first Klezmer notes to the last moving poem.



3. this recording is a ball to listen to with kids. It's got lots of lively kletzmer music and good hannukah stories. Kids will get up and dance (guaranteed).

No comments about Chanukah Party.

5 comments about Channukah: Festival of Lights.

1. this collection is a remarkable tour-de-force. Its been a long time since Ive heard such an original,yet somehow traditional, selection of music. A truly astonishing piece is the single by the artist known as Elan Barenholtz.Who is this gigantic talent, and why hasnt he been discovered yet?



2. So I'm online browsing the latest cd's, and I see everyone writing fantastic reviews about this song by Elan Barenholtz. I had to hear for myself. Well let me tell you -- UNBELIEVABLE!!! He's got a great voice, and the music really sinks in! Buy this one.



3. I received this CD as a Wish List gift (Thank you, Oh loyal reader of my reviews!) and I absolutely love it. There are traditional Chanukkah songs here that I've never heard anywhere else, plus some original compositions. If you thought that "Maoz Tzur" and the "Dreidel Song" were all there is to Chanukkah music, then you simply must hear this album!

   In the days of the European stetl (Jewish village), bands of klezmer musicians would go from house to house, playing music while the Chanukkah candles burned brightly into the long winter nights. This album captures that old-time spirit perfectly. There are lively dances, peppy songs, and slow, contemplative vocal pieces called "Doinas," which might strike some Western listeners as sad because they're sung in a minor key. Not so. "Festival music in a minor key" is how Ot Azoi describes their music. The Doinas are contemplative, inward-looking vocal improvisations, using meaningless syllables to express that which cannot be said in words. Think of the human voice as a jazz trumpet and you are on your way to grokking this type of Jewish music.

   The words, of course, are in Yiddish and Hebrew. One weakness of this album is that the insert doesn't include all the words to all the songs (although it does translate some of them.) But even if you don't know these languages, you'll catch the spirit. And you'll probably recognize the words to "Shalom Aleichem" (Peace be upon you), a song usually associated with the Sabbath, but also appropriate here in a soul-filled rendition that starts out slowly, then bursts into a joyous dance acceompanied by drums and other percussion. I especially like band #15, "a Lid fun Chanukkah" (Song for Chanukkah) which says, "Lomir tantzen, lomir zingen -- let us dance, let us sing!" Need I say more?




4. Really fine klezmer band. They get better with each cd. Check out their web site at otazoj.com. I'd highly recommend this cd as a gift. The production values are o.k. As a previous reviewer noted, the liner notes aren't so hot. But the music is awesome.



5. Ot Azoj keeps growing! When will they play in america? A good band like this shoudn't be kept for the europeans only!
   This cd is a nice mixture between old and new, happy and sad.
   It's the best chanukah cd I ever heard!
   I'm very curious about their next cd. I saw it on their website... It's called Klezmer fon Kishinev. Should be interesting. I hope Amazon will have it soon!
   Ot Azoj keep up the good work!

   Ben Levi

No comments about Real Complete Happy Hanukkah Party.