I am an out of towner living in the Midwest. I love to sing and do so, as a part time job. I was raised in a musical family, and have tried to pass on my love and appreciation of music onto the next generation, my children.

OutOfTowner’s 1st Impression of Cry No More

In today’s times when there is usually a PR blitz starting several months before an album release,  culminating in either a pre-release music video or some other event to introduce the new album, Tuesday’s news that Yaakov Shwekey’s new album, Cry No More,would be available in less than a week, came as quite a surprise.

OutOfTowner Reviews Shragee

  Much has been said about the recent explosion of Chassidic singers and performers, so for me to pile on is unnecessary. Since Shragee Gestetner’s new album has come out, I have listened to it extensively to really get to know the songs and to try and formulate an opinion based on a longer amount

Out Of Towner Reviews Amram Adar-Baruch Hashem

My first reaction listening to this album is where have they found this special talent? I have never seen any videos of him singing at weddings, like I have of most of the newest singing sensations. I have never heard of him, and I am probably not alone here. Amram Adar seems to have burst

Out Of Towner Reviews Big Time – Alter Heim

How often can an album be released featuring an all star lineup of Mordechai Ben David, Lipa Schmelczer, Dovid Gabay, Shloime Gertner, the Mezamrim Choir, Chilik Frank and the Freilach Orchestra, produced by Sheya Mendlowitz, and arranged by Suki Berry,  and seemingly not even register a blip on the Jewish Music scene? Then again, with

Music, the Business

Recently I passed the 10th anniversary of being a professional vocalist (I get paid to sing, so by default I am professional). I was having a conversation recently with a friend who is a huge music lover and amateur musician, and in the course of conversation he mentioned how he loves to just sit down

OutofTowner Reviews Hashkifah by Baruch Levine

Baruch Levine has long been known as a composer and performer, whose material is both sweet and enjoyable. Although he has some really beautiful songs on other people’s albums, his big break came on his first release, Vezakeini, with the songs Vezakeini and V’hu Keyli making everyone’s list of must listen to songs. Every time

Review of Ahavas Hashem by Yumi Lowy

Almost three months ago, a very highly anticipated album was released. Yumi Lowy, a very popular vocalist on the wedding scene on the east coast, released his debut album, titled Ahavas Hashem. Yumi is known for his sweet and smooth sound, somewhat a cross between Yeedle and Dov Levine at times, and his album has

Wedding Pet Peeves Part 2 The Band’s Perspective

As we begin the second half of this summer’s the wedding season, I felt it necessary to write an article as a follow up to the recent article written on JMR called Wedding Pet Peeves” (http://jewishmusicreport.com/2011/08/03/wedding-pet-peeves/). As someone who has been singing at weddings for ten years, and with a father who has led a

Review of HASC: The Remastered Collectors Edition Part 2 (Volumes 4-7)

  For all those who missed my introduction and part one (volumes 1-3) here it is:http://jewishmusicreport.com/2011/07/01/review-of-hasc-the-remastered-collectors-edition-part-1-volumes-1-3/ Continuing on: HASC 4: Right off the bat, my first impression when it came out was WOW, and that was even before I opened up the triple cassette. Yes, I said triple, as in 3! The concert had gotten

Review of HASC: The Remastered Collectors Edition Part 1 (Volumes 1-3)

Aderet’s recent release of the digitally remastered HASC’s A Time For Music Concerts Collection: 1-7 has brought back some very fond memories of my youth.   Let me explain. Nowadays, Jewish Music is a much larger and more sophisticated industry than it was back then. The HASC concert was the biggest and most anticipated event

First Impression of Yerachmiel Begun and The Miami Boys Choir Me La’Hashem Ailai by OutOfTowner

Many professional choirs and choir leaders have come and gone over the years, but one constant in the Jewish Music scene is Yerachmiel Begun and the Miami Boys Choir. I grew up listening to B’siyata Dishmaya and Klal Yisroel Together, and can remember the frenzy when Shabbos Yerushalayim came out. I couldn’t wait to go

Exclusive Interview with Nachman Seltzer of Shira Chadasha Boys Choir

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of meeting Nachman Seltzer at a wedding in the USA, and of course most of the conversation centered around his Shira Chadasha Boys Choir, and their latest hit album Al HaTorah. Nachman was understandably very excited to talk about his music and his choir, and gladly gave us

OutofTowner Reviews Shades of Green Hipsh

  A musical masterpiece is finally here! Over a year and a half ago there were already reports of Shades of Green 2 being in the works. The anticipation has been building ever since, and from the little bits and pieces of information that Yossi Green has provided on his Facebook page, it has been