Maya Avraham - Morning Arrives

This is the first song from Ahuva Ozeri's latest album "Silence Above Me" which you can listen and buy here: http://avodaivrit.bandcamp.com/album/--5 and it's a perfect choice for a first song. It really sets the tone of the album and makes you just want to play it straight and enjoy the ride. At first I thought this was an album of covers to Ozeri's songs because of the different artists singing here but in fact it's an original. Sadly, Ahuva can't sing the vocals anymore due to illness, and although the wide range of artists do an excellent job, her voice is really missed. Here's one of her classics: "Ringing Bells". Maya Avraham's voice might be familiar to you because she's part of the breakthrough Idan Raichel Project and here's one of their classics. I was just browsing her Facebook page (https://he-il.facebook.com/mayaavrahammusic) when I saw a post announcing that she'll be singing for Obama during his visit! It's a huge honor and she completely deserves the respect. I saw an interview with her not too long ago and she seems like such a modest and caring person, a true soul singer, just like Ahuva. Maybe I've been reading too much news but when I went over the lyrics for this song it did remind me just a bit of Obama's highly anticipated visit (full coverage here or you can follow the satiric Twitter account FakeObamaIsrael). Everybody's talking about the visit and even the weather began with "Barack Obama will arrive on a pleasant day". There is a sense of excitement in the air, but it could also be due to the beginning of Passover vacation. The Israeli Left especially seems to have risen from its grave and endorsed a popular Facebook campaign to bring Obama to Rabin Square to give an emotional speech that might make a change in the frozen peace process. Of course, it won't happen, and they even had to cancel the screening of the speech from Jerusalem (for logistical reasons because the hour of the speech was changed), but the 23K likes do show Israel's support for Obama and even the possibility of peace.

Your footsteps I heard in the night
Morning arrives you came back
Maybe you forgot to kiss my lips

I didn't know a stranger in my house
I didn't want another in your place in my heart
My body and soul are pure

Night arrives you leave
Again leaving me in a cold world
Night arrives where are you
Maybe your body is snug with love and passion

I didn't know...

And don't forget I am still here
The heart asks if it's over

Taani Ester - Monday

 

It's been a crazy week with the semester beginning again while finishing term papers at the last minute, and this song was just what I needed to give me an energy boost and a good laugh. With all my problems, at least I don't have a baby to take care of, but this power couple makes it look really fun. I've heard the name Taani Ester (Answer me Ester) quite a lot, but have never really gotten around to seeing them live or hearing their material. I caught up on their debut album today http://taaniester.bandcamp.com/ and loved the pop sounds and quirky lyrics. Here's a video (part of the excellent Indie City videos) of them strolling and performing on Rothschild Boulevard. I also love the direction they're taking with their new single. Probably the coolest song about Monday that I know. *Cultural note: In Israel, the week starts on Sunday, though I can't really explain why Tuesday is like Thursday :)

Friday is uncomfortable, Saturday is for resting
Tuesday feels like Thursday
And on Wednesday feeling sad, Sunday.

Friday is uncomfortable, Saturday is for resting
Tuesday feels like Thursday
And on Wednesday feeling sad, Sunday is getting close.

And on Monday you and I are in a bubble
And enjoy thinking of next Monday
And on Monday you and I are in a bubble
When asleep dreaming of next Monday
When you abandon you make me a fool I start seeing more sounds

Emotions are getting empty, logic is slipping away
On Monday you and I are in bubble
And enjoy thinking of next Monday
On Monday you and I are in a bubble
When asleep dreaming of next Monday

As long as there is flame, no one will destroy Monday for us.

  https://he-il.facebook.com/taani.ester

Eli Magen - This is a Wonderful Hour

This is one of the best songs I've heard recently. It's so tender and emotional and the melody goes along perfectly with the sensitive lyrics. The song is part of a recent album (which you can buy and listen here) of new versions of songs by Hanoch Levin. I was first introduced to Levin in high school when we had to read his play Heffetz (Thing). Either you hated it or loved it, there was no in-between. It took me a while to get used to the language and to enter Levin's absurd mind but eventually I came to love the play and it's one of the texts I most vividly remember from that time. I'm used to knowing Hanoch Levin as a bold political satirist with no boundaries (Wiki info here). It's such a pleasant surprise to discover that he was also a very talented poet, it makes me want to read more of his work. I'm also very happy that I discovered Eli Magen. He's been around as a guitarist for many top artists and here is another wonderful song of his. I don't know him but he seems like such a kind and modest person and a true artist who takes his work seriously. It's the beginning of Spring and I was just thinking today how these days, and nights, are the best of the year, when it's getting warmer and there's the promise of Summer, but just a whiff of it making you still appreciate the fact that you can wear long sleeves. 

This is a wonderful hour
Of a trembling heart,
And I would tremble if I could,
And I would sing and whisper in your ears
If I could sing and whisper,
This is a wonderful hour,
There was not, there won't be another one like it,
You lean over me, and I under you
Attentive without movement,
As if there will be in a moment something,
That I did not know before,
And you will get to know,
And I won't know.

Los Caparos - Duda

Well, Purim came and went, and all that's left are dazed memories, Facebook pics, and useless costumes. This year, it felt extra long because although the holiday itself was on Sunday and Monday, the celebrations started the previous Thursday, making it extra hard to get back to normal. I'm not really sure how to explain the word "duda" but it basically means being in a funky, lazy state, possibly hungover. It's also used as a verb to describe a strong yearning for something, usually munchies in the middle of the night. Anyway, this song captures perfectly the feeling of the morning after a party when you just want to blow everything off, shut the curtains, and lie in bed. They just released a video with exactly that scenario, including glimpses of a wild Purim party. I really love this version because it captures how wild they are in concert. Los Caparos are quickly taking the country by storm with their Russian ska groove, laid back style and crazy and charismatic solo singer. They're a super refreshing group in the music scene and kind of feel like what happens when you drink Vodka (or Arak) in the sun. They just released their second album "Haim BeSeret" (living in a movie) and if this song has left you with a duda for more, check them out here: http://www.loscaparosmusic.com/

Don't ask me why
I'm in such a mess
Don't ask me when
I'll leave the house
To fight with you I have no strength for
So don't dictate my schedule
It makes me brutal
It jumps my fuse

Today I am in duda
Duda blues

Yesterday we went out and we found
It was... ben zona
All of the world was ours
Yesterday I felt I wos on the horse
But today I am in duda
And the whole day is a waste
Upside down in the Bermuda Triangle
And not able to move

Today I am in duda
Duda blues

So don't tell me baby
Today it won't work
I'll break the guitar
I'll burn the hantropod
And don't tell me 2 at night
For me it doesn't matter
Because if the shower doesn't work
I'll, I'll hospitalize myself

Today I am in duda
Duda blues

Shmulik Kraus and Ilan Wirtzberg - Seeing Far Seeing Clear

In many ways, you can say that the late Shmulik Kraus was one of the ultimate bad boys of Israeli culture - he was hard to work with, unpredictable, and I don't even want to get into his personal life with Josie Katz. And yet he left such a strong mark on Israeli music that it would be a crime not to recognize and remember his important contribution. I was first introduced to him through "The High Windows", a collaboration with Arik Einstein and Josie Katz. They released one perfect and timeless album with beautiful songs like this one that appeal to all generations. Kraus was responsible for the guitar and melody, which really made the songs into gems. Another classic is his very powerful duet with Josie, "Again".
I chose this song because it really captures his strong personality and the fire within him, and how he quieted that fire with such lovely and gentle melodies.
Ben Shalev wrote this wonderful piece that gives more insight into Kraus' complexity and superb talent.

It was so narrow
I had to then
Spread my wings and fly
To a place where
Maybe like Nevo mountain
You see far you see clear.

A person like a tree planted on water
The root asks
A person like a bush in front of the skies
In him burns fire.

So my way was lost
My life was a mystery
Thirsty like a walker in the desert
For the word of truth
That has the power to give
To face tomorrow

A person...

Fire burned inside me
I went out to ask
For days I raged like a storm
I returned to my home
To find that you are with me
Until the way to the end arrives.

A person...

Ester Rada - Could it be

There were many memorable moments from October's inDnegev, but I think that one of my favorites was when Ester Rada took the main stage on Friday night, prime-time hour right before the highly anticipated Biluim reunion, and sang this song. She spread good vibes in the crowd with funky songs like 'Life Happens', which soon afterwards became a radio hit, but we got to enjoy the freshness and discovery of hearing it for the first time. After a few songs, she said that she wanted to say something serious, which caught our attention and hushed us all. She said that this is a very special song for her and it means a lot to her to be able to play it live in front of so many people. And then she sang. I have to admit that, up to that moment, I was enjoying her music, but that was about it. When she performed this song, I really felt that I was connecting with her, and the whole audience swayed along with her under the cool desert skies. It was a perfect moment. And right afterwards, she got us dancing again to more upbeat sounds. There's something really captivating about her calm and graceful stage presence, as well as her super confident singing. I'm so happy to hear that she's becoming a huge success. Her album was produced partially by Kutiman, the king of Israeli groove, who just released a very cool mix of old Israeli sounds. You can get Ester's EP over at her bandcamp , and here's an interesting interview with her that gives some info on her background. It's also a perfect song just in time for Valentine's Day- for a refreshing change something deep and sweet and not at all corny!
Speaking of Valentine's Day, here's a charming video based on a story by the always charming Etgar Keret.

Snow Clerks - Fix my roof

What a lovely song, and video! I have to admit that the first time I saw it I didn't pay much attention to the music itself because it blended in so nicely with the video and I was so immersed in it. But the song did stick to my head and I found myself humming it so it just shows what an effortless song it is, it just fits so perfectly that you hardly feel it. Their other singles are great (and different, but in the best way) and I'm really looking forward to their upcoming debut album.

http://www.snowclerks.com/