Customer Reviews

Chabad Classics - Andy Statman

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To my surprise, this CD turned out to be a very pleasant listening experience. I say "surprise" because I have tended to avoid Chabad (Lubovitch) albums for two decades -- ever since that nerve-wracking series of tapes featuring a boy's choir whose director seemed to be confusing high-pitched nasal shouting with religious enthusiasm. To be honest, if this CD hadn't guest-starred Andy Statman, I probably would have passed it up. But I like Statman's style, so I decided to give it a try.

I'm very glad I did. Zalman Goldstein's soothing instrumental arrangements are both easy listening and inspiring. Yes, he did succumb once to the Lubovitch penchant for little kids singing, but at least it's in an appropriate place -- as the Four Questions, introducing the Passover section. The rest of the album is purely instrumental and a wonderful tour through the cycle of the Jewish calendar. Andy Statman's madolin and clarinet add just the right touches, too.

I especially like the Sukkot track, which will evoke joyful memories in anybody who had ever danced with the Lubovitcher Hasidim on Simchat Torah. Balancing this are some of the softer devekut nigunnim (contemplative tunes), such as the hauntingly beautiful "Kaili Atoh," also known as "The Alter Rebbe's Niggun," which is traditionally sung at the end of the Hallel at every Lubovitch Seder.

All in all, this is a wonderful album of Hasidic music and, if the other CDs in the Chabad Classics series are as good as this one, I plan to buy them, too!

This CD is an excellent instrumental for Chabad Nigguns. For those familiar with Chabad nigguns, this adds an extra spiritual dimension and brings you closer to G-d, Blessed be he. I use it during my work day in conjunction with my Rebbe Shlita wallpaper as a motivational tool to improve kavanna in my mundane pursuits.