Yehudit Ravitz and Yoni Rechter - Tears of Angels

Today was the first time I stood at the memorial siren outside my house, not in a memorial service or a classroom. I was on my way home and just got off the train. The train came a few minutes before 8 and everyone patiently waited for the siren. On the platform most of us were already standing in position and I could hear the highway become quieter and quieter. The siren seemed softer than usual, but maybe I'm just used to louder sirens. I stood looking at the ground thinking about all the soldiers who lost their lives, grateful for not having to focus on any soldier I personally know and hoping it will stay that way. Tomorrow morning graveyards will be packed with mourning families and ceremonies and I'll be doing last-minute shopping for the Independence Day barbeque festivities which begin tomorrow evening. After the siren ended I walked up the escalator and everything seemed so normal on the bridge between Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Everybody was walking quickly and it was hard to believe that the siren was only a few minutes earlier. The only sign of it was an old man peering out to the highway which was now completely back to normal. It reminded me how we all seem to bounce back to life so quickly, even when we're not really ready yet but without much of a choice because life has to go on. It's so sad how such a huge part of Israeli music is memorial music which sadly everyone can identify with. There's something very beautiful and emotional about this fragile song. Unlike other memorial songs, it's less about the loss itself and more about the healing process and trying to cope with the loss "the morning after" at funerals and later on in life. I hear it every Memorial Day and I never get tired of it. The piano and guitar go together perfectly and it's truly a timeless song.

Tears of angels
Quiet tears
Beautiful and sad tears
Stream down on the horizon tears and searching...
What are they seeking? Ah...

Because when the angels cry
In another world,
Then in this world
We're even sadder.

Tears of angels.
Why are they crying the angels?
Maybe because it's not easy
To be an angel,
In such a sad world.

Because when the angels cry...

And also we here
Want to cry together with them
What to do?
Want to cry and the tears don't fall,
The tears don't stream.

Because when the angels cry...

Tomorrow the Independence celebrations begin and here's a message from Mr. Shimon Peres. When he says that he remembers every year of Israel's existence I have no trouble believing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfLBRqsj41A

Speaking of the next generation, it may seem a bit out of context to post this lighthearted video cover of  Walk of the Earth's cover to the addictive "Somebody You Used to Know" but it actually really isn't. The soldiers here are a sharp reminder of the fact that so many of the 22,993 fallen soldiers and victims of terror were college-aged kids who just wanted to hang out and have some fun. I just love the authenticity of the video especially when the young officer walks in and although he gives them a "seriously?!" look he can't really hide how amused he is and maybe also proud as he looks over them like a big brother. Makes me miss the family feeling of army life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLLpRGHZwY&context=C4d82223ADvjVQa1PpcFNTyinOn0yGtnbdpXpLkD-vKKdj3EmtrTM%3D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBTXyJQpE8

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yehudit-Ravitz/23066052200

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoni_Rechter

Chen Aharoni - Sit still child

National Holocaust Memorial Day begins tomorrow evening, but it's been in the headlines since the beginning of the week, mainly talking about the extinction of the survivors- yesterday's paper headline was quite alarming: "Every hour a holocaust survivor dies". It went on to talk of the sharp increase in poverty and loneliness among the survivors. I remember when I was younger hearing that I belong to one of the last generations (if not the last) that will personally know holocaust survivors and that's why it's so important to learn their stories to pass on to the next generation. It's interesting to note how we remember the holocaust today and one of the ways of keeping the memories alive is the music project "Voices to Remember" which started last year. Here's some info on the project:
 "The Voice Still Remains" – Songs for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, is a special project of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs and the Reshet Gimmel radio station. Israeli artists compose and perform songs about memories of the Holocaust, and preserve them in music, sounds, and notes. A personal angle on the horrific past, through contemporary Israeli creative works. As the generation of witnesses to the voice of the Holocaust passes from this world, it is our duty to preserve the memory and speak about the heroism, bequeathing them to coming generations and ensuring that, forever, "The Voice Still Remains." Some of the songs are new interpretations of classic songs while others are completely new, like this one by Chen Aharoni. Here's what Aharoni says of his song:
"The main motive that lead me in a search for a song for the project was my level of emotion. It was important for me to really be moved from the song. When I turned to Sahar Hagai to write for me the text it was clear to him that he wants to write a letter/type of will that a mother leaves to her little boy when she is taken from him and leaves him to face his destiny. He asked me a quite shaking question "If you were there with your mother and she would have left you a last letter what would she have written?" My mother (being named Tikva [hope]) is the most optimistic person I know so I answered right away "She would have written me that everything will be okay. She would have written me something optimistic." Sahar articulated that exactly "Even in the fragmented milestones you will be able to find on your own your way". The text met the touching melody by Lauren Benjamin and together they were wrapped in a rich musical production by Uri Avni. I listened to the final result and shed a tear. I was moved."
The song really is emotional and I love how there's optimism in it, despite the sadness of growing up much too quickly. I also love how it really sounds like it was made today and isn't just a mimic of an older version. Usually, I'm not into Chen Aharoni's music but here he really showcases his talented voice and this song is perfect for him.

Sit still child
Sit quietly here
Between the drops of rain
They are the tears of time
Don't open a door
For the great pain
Forever in the imagination
Another thirst-hugging hunger

Sit still child
Sit quietly here
Between the walls of the room
The small room
Don't go out
Don't go there
You're allowed to dream a smile
When you fall asleep

Color this gray with light blue
Listen, between the bundles there is also a tune
Know, even in the fragmented milestones
You can find on your own
Your way

Sit still child
Sit quietly here
Against the people of the herd
The humiliated herd
Let us go
Do not come to me
Watch your steps
Count my steps

Color this gray with light blue
Listen, between the bundles there is also a tune
Know, even in the fragmented milestones
You can find on your own
Your way

Remember mother playing (an instrument) and father praying
Remember yourself running gleefully on the way to the garden
Remember mother not shouting and father not crying
Remember yourself running on the way like a not-withering flower

Color this gray with light blue...

Here's the complete collection of songs http://www.hakolot.co.il/new2012/songs2.php

http://he-il.facebook.com/ChenAharoni

Jewrhythmics - Chiribim

Jewrhythmics is a Tel Aviv/Moscow disco group who sing in Yiddish-it feels like they belong in some alternative universe where Yiddish and disco rule the world. It's very original and much more than just a gimmick, the music itself is great and very fresh. And it goes perfectly with the festive holiday atmosphere.

http://www.jewrhythmics.com/

Zvuloon Dub System - Freedom Time

Wow, I can't believe that this is my 100th post! I just want to say that I hope you enjoy reading it and discovering new music just as I enjoy writing about it. It's so exciting to see viewers from such a wide range of countries and each time I see a new country my heart kind of skips a beat and I can't help but wonder who's reading this. Anyways, Passover vacation has officially started! I'm swamped with reading material but at least I don't have any papers to submit right after the break so I can relax a bit and have some fun because I think the next time I'll be able to will be in August. It's always so weird for me to switch gears- I'm so used to planning everything and living in fast-paced motion that it takes a while to remember how to just chill. This song is perfect for that. It's also a perfect song to jump into the Spring feel. This week was hot! And I wore a short-sleeved tee for the first time in forever! I remember hearing Zvuloon Dub System at InDnegev- it was such a brilliant idea to put them on in the morning. It was a great wake-up call and a perfect way to start the day. This song is also perfect for Passover, the holiday of freedom. Zvuloon just released their debut album, which they've been working on for 5(!) years, and was definitely worth the wait. I love how it has a very laid-back lazy feel but in concert they're an unstoppable burst of energy. And it has a great cover of the very Passover fitting "Go Down Moses".
Happy holiday!

Freedom time
Freedom time
Freedom time

Take a break from your life in the city
Go to the fields the flowers look so pretty
Sun is shining in the deep blue sky
Your heart is full of joy
Freedom time

Freedom time
Freedom time
Freedom time
Freedom time

Look at the birds how they fly in the sky
Wandering the world with no boundaries on their mind
Just listen to the reaper as it triggers so nice
The wind whispers freedom time

Freedom time
Just freedom time
Freedom time
Freedom time

When the night falls the sun goes down
The moon and the stars shine with silver light
When the morning rises up it's a brand new day
Your heart is full of joy
Freedom time

http://zvuloondubsystem.bandcamp.com/