Gad Elbaz's new CD is now available exclusively from Sameach Music. You can hear samples from all 14 tracks on our website, or download the sampler here. To purchase the CD go to out website here. This CD has just arrived and will take a few days to get to all the local stores. It should be in NY area stores starting Sunday and by Tuesday be nationwide.

 CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

 AVAILABLE NOW!!

Hear two songs from the album on Sameach Music Podcast
Episode #38 and Episode #40.

As some of you may or may not know. I “DJ� at ShmaisRadio.com. Today I was searching for songs to play during today’s 6th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001. I could only think of a few.

FRIED LIVE! - Chazak - YU CONCERT 2001 (link)
SHORESH: Candle of Freedom - Kol Haolam. (link)
HASC 15: United We Stand, We Pray, We Sing. (link)
Moshav Band: - Stop (link)

Newly Released:

Chaim Fogelman - I Believe - Sounds of the Soul. (link)
Michoel Pruzansky - You’re Watching Me (link)

What am I missing? I must be missing more songs.

Please either e-mail me at sameachmusic@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

CREDITS

Executive Producers
Izzy and Benny Taubenfeld

Starring

Salesman
Eli Shapiro

Golem
Eric Herman

Produced by
Eric Herman

Directed By
Sruly Meyer

Videography By:
Richie Herman

Script by
Eric Herman

Concept adapted by
Sruly Meyer

Spiritual Consultants
Hillel Hirsch and Tzachi diamond

Music by
Dov Katz (Neshoma Orchestra)

Please visit these websites:

http://www.Hermanbrothers.tv
http://www.Jewishjukebox.com
http://www.Sameachmusicpodcast.com
http://www.Designsbysruly.com
http://www.elishapiro.com
http://www.Geico.com

See the original commercials here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5JV0Fs_GE8

This CD will be in stores later today, you can already purchase it on our website at JewishJukebox.com You can preview the songs below.

The new album from 8th Day is now out. it will be in stores later today. You can buy the album online. Tune in to ShmaisRadio.com and OlamRadio.com to hear songs from the album. You can also hear new music from this and other new CD's on next weeks new Sameach Podcast.

Hello? Hello? Friends?
I have a question…

Now I have a halakhic (relating to Jewish law) question…
Yes please:

OK
When you are eating the Krembo, that is the most explosive invention,
And even in the winter there is inside of it's pocket,
Biscuit, Biscuit, Biscuit

A round biscuit in which that on top of it is the cream
The cream
And when the eating of the Krembo, that is the most explosive invention,
And even in the winter there is inside of it's pocket,
Biscuit, Biscuit, A round biscuit in which on top of it is the cream

The cream, The cream, The cream and the biscuit like are one piece they are,The cream and the biscuit are like one piece they are,

The cream and the biscuit,The biscuit and the cream.

The question is - On Shabas
The question is - On Shabas

If someone that doesn't like or something that doesn't want for any reason a to eat the biscuit whether it is allowed to separate it from the cream?

To put it aside - And he will just eat the cream?

And the eating of the Krembo, that is the most explosive invention, And even in the winter there is inside of it's pocket,

Biscuit, Biscuit, A round biscuit in which on top of it is the cream

The cream,The cream and the biscuit like are on piece they are, 

The cream, and the biscuit are like one piece they are, The cream and the biscuit,The biscuit and cream

The question is on Shabas, The question is on Shabas, If the person that doesn't like if someone that doesn't like or something that doesn't want for any reason a to eat the biscuit whether it is allowed to separate it from the cream? To put it aside , And he will just eat the cream? Apparently it is not allowed - To separate them, It is not allowed to separate them,It is not allowed to separate them, Even though it is one piece.

But in reality they are like to two different items that are eaten

For in the case that you separate the biscuit from the cream

That there would stay with the biscuit a little bit of cream

That it would be recognizable

That there would stay with the biscuit a little bit of cream

That it would be recognizable

In that way it would be permissible

Then, Then, Then, Then it would be recognizable

And the eating of the Krembo, that is the most explosive invention, And even in the winter there is inside of it's pocket.

Biscuit, Biscuit, Biscuit, A round biscuit in which on top of it is the cream

The cream,One second I'm confused, The cream and the [laugh] biscuit like are on piece they are, The cream and the biscuit are like one piece they are, The cream and the biscuit, The biscuit and cream

(Thank You to Shemen for these lyrics, the winner will be announced on the next podcast)

Please pass this onto your friends. There will be a free Nochi Krohn Band concert in Far Rockaway (NY) on June 25th at 6:30 PM.

Reads Lane and Oak Drive.

Also appearing at the concert will be new Jewish band PHP, winner of the YU Battle of the Bands.  Click the post to enlarge and view full details.

Next week we will have a very special podcast with a guest appearance by Nochi Krohn to talk more about this concert.

The Chazak concert is now available on DVD. This concert took place back in 2000 and was recorded live at the Jacob Javitz Center . It features Avraham Fried, Yeedle, Shloime Dachs, Yehuda!, Mendy Wald & Musaic with music by Neshoma Orchestra. The DVD running time is 76 minutes.

Watch this video preview to see a small taste of what is on the DVD.

You can purchase this DVD by going to JewishJukebox.com.

Best Podcast (Single Episode)

Download this sampler of songs from Eitan Katz's new CD "Eitan Katz Unplugged: The Niggunim of Reb Shlomo Carlebach" right click here to downlaod the file. Purchase the CD by clicking here.

We've been getting a lot of emails and phone calls at Sameach recently about what goes into creating an a cappella album. Many people are wondering how the background vocals sound so much like the real thing. Many people are asking if this type of music is even appropriate for Sefirah. Some people are just curious about the history behind Jewish a cappella and why this style became so popular in Jewish music.

To answer these and other questions, I e-mailed Mr. Jordan B. Gorfinkel and asked him to come online and have a discussion about these topics via Instant Message. We recorded it for everyone else to read and hopefully you will learn a few new things. Jordan, or as we call him, Gorf, has produced and/or sung in many of the most popular a cappella albums out today.

****************************************************

SrulyMeyer: This is Sruly from the Sameach Music Podcast and I have with me on the other end of this AIM chat Mr. Jordan B. Gorfinkel.

SM: Welcome Jordan, how are you doing?
Jordan B. Gorfinkel: Thank the One Above, I'm doing well. Busy with many creative projects and a wonderful family.

 
SM: Baruch Hashem, so - have you ever done an AIM INTERVIEW before?
GORF: Yes, back when I was a comic book editor, many times.

 
SM: And here I thought we were breaking new ground.
GORF: In Jewish Music, we are!

 
SM: Which albums have you produced and/or been a part of?
GORF: Beat'achon: Jewish A Cappella (the first professional Jewish A Cappella CD, way back in 1993� and it's still selling, B"H), Beat'achon: Soul Food/Ochel Nefesh, Beat'achon: West Side Z'mirot, Kol Zimra: Kulanu B'yachad, Kol Zimra 2: The Music Of Abie Rotenberg, A Cappella Treasury: Shabbos (made between Purim and Pesach and I remain so proud of it!), Voices For Israel Volume 1: Chazak Amenu�We Stand As One, Voices For Israel Volume 2: Keeping the Faith and most recently BOJAC: The Best Of Jewish A Cappella� and advising, singing backup or simply cheering on many others from Shlock Rock to Blue Fringe.

SM: When did you first get into Acappella?
GORF: As a frustrated keyboard player, I've always relied on my voice as my instrument of choice. You could argue that from the tenderest young age, when I would finish up at shul with Anim Z'miros, I was already into the idea of unaccompanied vocal harmony. Which I guess makes us ALL a cappella aficionados!

 
SM: Well, some people would suggest that the earliest forms of Jewish Acappella was just people singing Zmiros around the Shabbos table.
GORF: I'm with them!

 
SM: Well, you would  know something about the earliest forms of Jewish Acappella. Tell us a little about Beat'achon.
GORF: Singing around the Shabbat/Shabbos table is the genesis of Beat'achon. We were six guys, all transplanted from the Midwest to Manhattan, who'd grown up singing with our families and particularly in camp. The opportunity to perform in our UWS shul's talent show led to the formation of the group which, to this day, still performs as six guys singing together around one microphone.

SM: What year did the first Beat'achon album come out?
GORF:Beat'achon formed in the early 1990s. At the time, every producer we approached told us that this �a cappella� thing will never fly; back yourselves with a band, then we'll talk. We didn't want to. We loved singing in harmony -- the purity of the voices was what we enjoyed! There was no marketing motive, only a love of expressing our Yiddishkeit with rich singing. As it happened, there was a demand for sefira-appropriate music and for the entire decade, Beat'achon filled that need exclusively. But first and foremost, we made vocal music because that was our vehicle of expression.

GORF: Beat'achon recorded two more CDs that are strong sellers to this day, and we perform live when our growing families and schedules allow. The over 20 members of Beat'achon over the past 15 years + are all active in multiple musical pursuits. Naturally, we look forward to recording another CD, but it's going to take a monumental coordination level. Of course, the Beat'achon method of performing and recording a cappella, i.e. rehearsing as a group, is rare these days. The advance of technology has opened up new and interesting methods of creating vocal music. With Beat'achon, what you hear on the CD is what we did -- and do! -- live, in person.

 
SM: Let's talk about that a little now. Many people have started questioning the very real sounds from some of today�s a cappella music.
GORF: The part of the evolution of a cappella to which you refer is the story of the evolution of computers. As in all endeavors, the result is only as good as the creator, not the tool. Computers are a marvelous tool. They abet the process of communication and creativity, whether in business, politics or music, tremendously, thanks to the speed and clarity they offer. The trick is to not let the tool run the show. For example, just because you know how to use Photoshop doesn't mean you know how to take a good picture. It's like that in music these days, the danger of the tools creating style, but little substance. And in JEWISH Music, substance is critical. After all, think about what we're singing about!

 
SM: Even though no actual musical instruments are being used, what is the process in which voices end up sounding like real drums or other instruments?  
GORF: Contemporary a cappella music is recorded as follows:

First, individual voices are recorded on separate tracks into the computer. It is exceedingly rare that any vocals are sung in an ensemble group. Practically speaking, this is to ensure the clarity of each part. Human imperfection is tolerated less and less in this computer-saturated world -- I'm not judging, just observing. Thus, it's important for an engineer to have clean tracks, recorded "in the clear," to maximize the ability to blend, or mix, them later.

Second, once all the voice parts are collected -- today, it's possible for one person to sing multiple parts, a process called "overdubbing" -- they are assembled in the computer and layered. It's possible to manipulate the voice in the computer in pitch, tone, volume, frequency� in just about any way. It's a blessing because, to take just one example, I can't tell you how many times I've had to trash an amazing take because of a flat note. With a computer, you don't have to lose the magic because of an error, you can correct it.

GORF: A cappella is most popular on college campuses. I've just produced BOJAC: THE BEST OF JEWISH A CAPPELLA, which is the first compilation to include collegiate Jewish groups. It's a topic for another time, but college groups serve to not only perform Jewish Music, they also introduce Jewish Music to students� and often introduce students to Judaism! This brings us full circle to the beginning of our conversation, how singing around the Shabbos table introduced all of us to a cappella. The collegiate group just has a larger "table" LOL :-)

SM: So we know that no actual instruments are used in the making of these albums. Yet the background effects have become so amazing today. What do you say to people that worry that the result is too good. Is it appropriate for Sefirah?
GORF: Collegiate a cappella groups draw most of their repertoire from popular music. The trend is to arrange versions of what's on the radio, and groups challenge themselves to mimic the original song as close as possible with their voices. Over time, computers have come more and more into play, to manipulate the original singing technologically to, say, sound like a drum or a guitar. I once heard an organ -- that was impressive� technologically. It's really cool! That said, creatively, I don't personally see the point. One man's opinion, but if you want a guitar sound, play a guitar.

 
GORF:To the people who ask about a cappella music sounding like instrument-accompanied music, I say a few things. First, the groups with which I'm associated (which granted, are a lot!) record a cappella because we love vocal music. We hope our audience will listen all year long. I've heard from many a fan who thank us for creating music that isn't too noisy and that emphasizes the Jewish values they share. Sefira (and the Three Weeks) has become a time to highlight a cappella, and we'll get to that soon. Foremost, a cappella is enjoyable all year round!
 

GORF: Second, I do appreciate that the majority of music is made with instruments. I�m in a wedding band myself! So at a time of year, like sefira, when there are customs not to listen to instruments, people like to fulfill the "letter of the law" as they understand it, by listening to a cappella music that approaches the style of music to which they're accustomed, with a strong backbeat and kickin' rhythm section. Which leads to the most important and third point:

The Jewish religion is commendable for being founded on the principle of learning. It's incumbent on everyone to educate themselves about the minhagim of sefira. In short, consult your Rav. I've done my own learning about Jewish Music issues -- not just sefira, but Kol Isha, musical ethics, and more. I've been surprised by my own ignorance!

 
SM: That�s great advice and that is exactly what I've been telling people who e-mail me with this question.
GORF: Perhaps it would be helpful to illuminate the modern history of "sefira" music. In the early to mid 20th century, the custom as I understand it was that, in the period of mourning between Passover and Shvuos, upbeat music was eschewed. Instead, people listened to music that was reflective of this period, and of Jewish learning. As such, sefira was a huge season for cantorial concerts. On the Upper West Side alone, in the very shul where Beat'achon was born -- Ohab Zedek -- the great Yossele Rosenblatt presided over sell-out crowds.

GORF: Jewish A Cappella is our generation's cantorial music. (Which is not to say that cantorial music has faded; "ad'rabbah," it's seen a tremendous surge in the past few years!)

Like any Jewish Music, however, it can be substantive or it can be all style. My personal model is Reb Abie Rotenberg. On a recent JM in the AM interview, one that is mandatory listening for Jewish Music fans, he noted that the words we're singing are holy and the music must be spiritual, or it's not truly Jewish Music. He made the point so eloquently and I'm not -- which is why he's Abie Rotenberg and I'm not! Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, I'm told, used to blanche at people applying different words to his melodies. His "L'shana Haba'a," for example, is applied to a melody from a completely different song. The reason he cited is that he didn't write the songs. They're "min hashamayim," from heaven. He's just the vessel to deliver them. This, to me, is true Jewish Music. But it may not be for everyone. Each Jew is responsible to learn and decide on her and his own!

GORF: The question about certain a cappella being appropriate for sefira is really a subset of a larger question: how "appropriate" are words of Torah set to disco music? The answer is, Jewish composers have been adapting popular music styles for centuries. The most common Adon Olam melody was originally a German beer song or some such.

My answer is this: certainly there are immutable lines. But overall, if we can create music that bring our kids, teens, families and elders closer to Yiddishkeit, is this such a bad thing?

GORF: Can anyone who's ever danced to Yidden be wrong? LOL :-)

SM: I think that people out there who think that maybe this style of music isn't right for them during Sefirah -- they should buy an a cappella album after sefirah so that they can appreciate it for the style of music it is, as opposed to it just being filler for Sefirah.

GORF: That would be great! But music is purchased to be enjoyed, not to be appreciated. (That�s the error of too many a cappella recordings, that you can appreciate the technology that created them but can�t dance to them, so to speak.) Anyway, the reality is that the "noise" of instrumental music drowns out a cappella the rest of the year. After Pesach, I appreciate having a platform for highlighting a cappella music. As with music of any other kind, at any other time of year, it's incumbent on the consumer to be educated. A cappella music became the music of choice during sefira for a reason: because there was, and is, a genuine custom not to listen to certain types of music and a cappella filled the void. That style of less computer processed, more purely vocal a cappella music is widely available, if that�s your desire. You know, just because a CD didn't come out in the last five minutes doesn't mean it isn't excellent.

SM: I was just listening to A Cappella Treasury this morning and that is a great CD. It has a wonderful collection of songs from all the different groups popular on the scene.
GORF: Thanks! I design my CD productions to be first and foremost enjoyable and user-friendly. This goes back to my Beat'achon days. "West Side Z'mirot" features the incomparably excellent NCSY "bencher" as its booklet. This way, anyone who wants to learn the songs has the words written out in English, Hebrew and transliteration. Likewise, the songs are arranged to emphasize the simple melodies in the beginning, with more and more harmonies added in as the songs progress.
 

GORF: If you're uncertain about which CDs, from the growing a cappella catalogue, to buy, check out (like you just said) A CAPPELLA TREASURY: SHABBOS from Sameach and the newly released BOJAC: THE BEST OF JEWISH A CAPPELLA. Both are superior compilations of most of the groups out there and include more information about the participating artists in their booklets. That way, if you like one of the group's songs, you can easily seek out their full CDs!

Plus, both CDs include songs not available anywhere else, so they're unique in their own rights. For example, if you love the Carlebach havdallah, you'll LOOOOVE the havdallah on A CAPELLA TREASURY.

SM: Before I let you go, is there anything we can look forward to in the realm of a cappella?
GORF: I'm personally looking forward to producing a second volume of A Cappella Treasury. I have a fantastic theme and no shortage of amazing talent I want to work with. Of course, if Izzy Taubenfeld, maestro of Sameach, were in on this conversation, he'd be saying, Gorf, first finish the rest of the projects you owe me! LOL :-)

Really, there's little reason to look forward when right now, the store shelves are stocked with great product, from the recently released Six 13 Volume 2 (which I affectionately refer to as "Six 14"), to the many great volumes released in years past. And if anyone has any questions, you can email me and I'll direct you the best I can.

SM: Whats the best way for people to contact you or any of the groups you are a part of?
GORF: gorf@gorfy.com

SM: Thank you very much for taking the time to do this. We look forward to having you again either via Instant Message or on the Sameach Music Podcast.

The debut album from Shloime Gertner titled NISSIM, will be in stores within the week. The CD will contain 13 all new songs from Shloime Gertner & Yossi Tyberg.

The CD has songs composed by Yossi Green, Pinky Webber, Yossi Gurwitz, Sheya and Avrumi Berko & Eli Laufer. Arrangements are done by Ilya Lishinsky, Moshe Laufer, Leib Yaacov Rigler, Shay Bachar, Dudi Kalish, Eli Laufer & Heshy Ginsburg.

Download this 7 minute sample by clicking here. Be sure to tune into the Sameach Music Podcast later this week for a new full length preview from the album as well a sa special interview with the producer.

COMING PURIM 2007

THE YESHIVA BOYS CHOIR 3: SHABCHI

After a very long hiatus, Dov and Sruly finally head back to FiveTowns to reocrd a new episode. It’s just in time too as Ohad’s new album has finally hit stores. You can listen to two songs from Ohad’s album as well as music from Avraham Fried, Dovid Gabay, Aron Razel & the world premiere of Im Ain Ani Li Mi, a brand new song from upcoming artists Shloime Gertner.

You can read the show notes here, or better yet, read them after the show is done. You can download the show directly by clicking here.

For instructions on how to download the show click here. If you'd like to e-mail us any questions or comments to read on the show please send us e-mail to SameachMusic@aol.com We will have the enhanced podcast version sometime in the next couple days.

To view photos of the actual concert visit the HascConcert website.

Some people have e-mailed asking when the next podcast is, so here is a small update. It's been very busy both at Sameach and Neshama Orchestra where Dov and Sruly work and it's been hard to get together to do a new show.

So we are taking a short vacation and we will be recording a new podcast during the week of January 29th. By then we hope to have preview clips (or more) from Ohad's new CD, and updates on some other projects that are being worked on right now.

We apologize for the delay and once we come back we will be back on our regular bi-weekly schedule.

In order to get ready for the next podcast, we're asking you to send us your e-mails and comments. E-mail us at SameachMusic@aol.com, we'd also love to hear what you thought of the most recent HASC concert featuring Avraham Fried, Ohad, Shalsheles Jr., Dedi, Dovid Gabay, Baruch Levine & special guest Cantor Yitzchok Meir Helfgot. Email us your favorite moments and we will read them on the air.
 

Dov and Sruly finally head back into the studio to record a new podcast. We have new music from the Amudei Sheish Boys Choir featuring Avraham Fried, Shloime Dachs, Yisroel Williger & Mendy Wald as young soloists during their years in the choir. We have new music from Matisyahu. We have music from Eitan and Shlomo Katz and an interview with Eitan Katz. We read many of your e-mails and talk about a couple of the new things that you can expect from Sameach Music.

We are also proud to debut our Enhanced Podcast format. An enhanced Podcast is a Podcast where you can actually see whats happening during the show. As music is played, view the cover, see images that are being discussed on the show, be directly linked to the albums, concert and artists websites, while we are discussing them on the show.

This format is only available to listeners who are downloading their show onto an Apple iPod or listen through iTunes on their desktop computers. Currently this format is not yet available for users of other MP3 players. You will be able to listen through windows media player but the images and links will not appear. For help with our enhanced Podcast please e-mail us at SameachMusic@aol.com or if you have any comments or suggestions regarding the Podcast or anything Jewish Music related, you can e-mail us as well.
 
You can read the show notes here, or better yet, read them after the show is done. You can download the show directly by clicking here. You can download the enhanced Podcast by clicking here.  For instructions on how to download the show click here. If you'd like to e-mail us any questions or comments to read on the show please send us e-mail to SameachMusic@aol.com

Chanukah may be over but we still have some very big things happening at Sameach Music.

Matisyahu is about to release his first full DVD, titled LIVE IN TEL AVIV. This DVD features all of your favorite Matisyahu hit songs. You can pre-order the DVD which comes with a bonus AUDIO CD featuring 6 songs remixed and sung by Matisyahu by clicking here.

Ever wonder what the singers of today sounded like when they were first starting out? Buy a copy of the Amudei Sheish Boys Choir to hear Avraham Fried, Mendy Wald, Yisroel Williger and Shloime Dachs as young soloists ... Click here to sample the CD

Ari Goldwag can now add Podcaster to his always growing list of talents. Ari has released the first two episodes from his newly minted Jewish Music podcast. You can hear many songs from Ari's ablums in addition to special treats like a not yet released Ari Goldwag tune and a unreleased duet with Yaakov Shwekey. Download the 1st podcast here and the 2nd one here.

Ohad's follow up CD was unfortunately delayed from being released before Chanukah. No need to worry as we are expecting news on the albums status soon. We don't know when it will be out and there is no official release date. When we know something concrete, we will report it.

Dov and Sruly will IYH get back into the studio later this week to record a brand new podcast (#31!) featuring all the latest music news and previews to keep you entertained and up to date. If you have a comment or would like to e-mail us something to read on the air please send an e-mail to SameachMusic@aol.com. Feel free to send us your shout outs or song requests. We will do our best to reply to each letter.