Articles By: Hislahavus
Hislahavus is an avid Jewish music collector. He gets a kick out of varied and eclectic music, and is in heaven when a bunch of bochurim join him at the Shabbos table to sing some Chabad d'veykus niggunim and Sefardi zemirot. He works in the youth industry, where he puts his passion for good Jewish music to work. He plays flute - though not professionally, by any means, and is the Baal Tefillah and Baal Koreh at his local shteeble.
Exclusive Interview with Andy Statman: Part 2 – “Old Brooklyn”
Part 1 of this interview can be found here; Hislahavus’ review of Old Brooklyn can be found here. Hislahavus: Some of your compositions on this album seem to have tones like niggunim; particularly Eitan and Zeidy. Thoughts on that? Andy Statman: My Hollywood Girls – and I’ll have to tell you about that name –
The Megama Albums – Available Again!
When JMR first started, we posted an item called “The Lost Albums” regarding albums that have disappeared. Among those albums, we mentioned the classic Megama records, whose most famous song, “My Zeidy”, was for many years the anthem of the Baal Teshuva movement. The Megama Duo, made up of guitarist and vocalist Moshe Yess and
Exclusive Interview with Andy Statman: Part 1 – Statman on Niggunim
Part 1 of a wide-ranging, honest and informative interview with world class master musician, Andy Statman. Hislahavus: Mazel Tov on your release of the new album, Old Brooklyn! Can you tell us of the reaction so far in the secular and Jewish music worlds to the album? Andy Statman: There have been some good previews.
Hislahavus’ Review of Andy Statman’s Old Brooklyn
NOTE: I wrote this review before my conversation with Statman himself. That exclusive and wide-ranging interview will be published here as well. But there are a few areas of that conversation that clarify or define parts of the album; concepts that I knew nothing of as a simple listener. So, for insider info on this
Scoop: Isaac Bitton (Raya Mehemna) to Release New Album!
JMR has just found out that Moroccan rocker, drummer and vocalist Isaac Bitton, is about to release his third album! Bitton attained renown in the ’70′s with his French rock band, called Les Variations. Upon entering a new stage of his life, he formed a frum rock band in the early 1980′s called “Raaya Mehemna”
Hislahavus’ Review of Moshe Hecht’s Debut Album, Heart is Alive
A new artist has appeared on the scene, one who truly defines the word artist. And while his work is somewhat new to the Jewish music world; or at least, has not been seen since the disappearance of Megama. Introducing Moshe Hecht: a true folk/rock singer, who comes with English lyrics and his own compositions.
Hislahavus’ Review of MBD’s Kissufim
So this is it. The “King of Jewish Music” and his last album – Kissufim. I don’t think any of us expected it to be like this – not the singer of Moshiach, Maaminim and Just One Shabbos! – but in the end, it’s up to the artist to go where he wants. And
The Perfect Album?
What makes an album great? Obviously, there are many aspects, but I did a quick experiment. I pulled up iTunes and sorted my 350+ albums by highest rated. As I had thought, I don’t have that many albums that I give a full five stars to – after all, I’m a bit of a critic.
Hislahavus’ Review of the HASC Collection – 1-7
It is worthwhile to flashback sometimes. When you haven’t listened to something for many years, you may be missing something that you hadn’t noticed. So it’s flashback time: I do not think it would be an exaggeration to say that HASC’s A Time for Music series of concerts changed Jewish music forever. Over the years,
Hislahavus’ Review of Haim Israel’s Derech Chadasha
This review is long overdue. I originally hesitated to write it because I felt that I have not studied Mizrachi music, or Haim Israel’s career, well enough to comment. But listening to the album again and again brought me around to it – something needed to be said about this wonderful album – a solid
Hislahavus’ Review of Chabad with Moshe Laufer
About fifteen years ago, I used to wonder why there were so few albums of Lubavitcher niggunim. I don’t wonder about that any more, because there are now dozens of collections of Chabad niggunim of varying styles and genres. Yet, I still eagerly pick up virtually any such album, primarily because of my love of
Hislahavus’ Review of Diaspora Live on Mt. Zion DVD
There once was a day when the music was innocent… Simple… Maybe even pure… Ever thought something like that? If nostalgia is your thing, you’ve got something coming your way. The Diaspora Yeshiva Band was one of the most influential bands in Jewish music, as we have noted before. They were a true original in
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