Haran

Pharoah's Daughter

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Oyhoo Records
• ASIN: B000PTYP1G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,505 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #58 in	Music > Folk > Klezmer
  #100 in	Music > Folk > Jewish & Yiddish Music

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"A gilt-edged masterpiece." -- Jewish Week

"Best Middle East Peace Plan." -- Village Voice

"I want more of this band, much more." -- Global Rhythm

"A sound both hypnotic and charged." -- Washington Post

"Fuses Middle Eastern and Jewish sounds with a dark, indie pop sensibility." -- All Music Guide

Following Matisyahu's dramatic crossover from the Jewish market into the secular world, the most popular female New York Jewish musical artist is ready to break out! Haran features catchy songs that blend a Middle Eastern sound with contemporary hooks and a folk/pop mentality. Easy to dance to, it works for all audiences. Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings, and electronica. Her sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan, and Greece. She has recorded four albums: three with Pharaoh's Daughter and one instrumental exploration with Persian santur player Alan Kushan. Over the past two years, Schechter was the recipient of numerous compositional and project grants from the New York State Council of the Arts, American Composers Forum, and American Music Center.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, May 17, 2007

By	B. Goldman "Bin Goldman" (Clifton, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This highly anticipated release lives every bit up to expectations, and then some. With help from producer Fred Rubens, the album showcases the band's signature innovative Middle Eastern sound with modern-day grit and attitude. To be sure, the force of this album rests firmly on the foundation of Shechter's exquisite compositions. Still, it is the incredible musicianship of the band that makes this nothing short of a masterpiece. In addition to the earnest vocals of leader Basya Schechter and her oud and saz playing, the album features stellar performances by core band members playing violin, bass, organ, recorders, accordian, drums, and percussion. Topping it all off are exciting guest performances including Alan Kushan on santur, Adam Levy (of Norah Jones' band) on guitar, and others. This music is exquisite but edgy, authentic but contemporary, and absolutely infectious. This is World Music at its best--intricate and nuanced, but utterly accessible, blending swirling, syncopated seas of polyrhythm with beautiful, singable melodies. Pharaoh's Daughter's scope may be compared to that of Béla Fleck, who also draws from a wide array of musical traditions and sounds. However, while Fleck's combinations can sometimes sound forced, these always seem to work perfectly. Highlights include a Celtic-infused "Kah Ribon" with santur, Jason Lindner's psychedelic organ over Schecter's oud on "By Way of Haran," Levy's haunting guitar on the gripping "Hagar," and the rich, sensuous violin of Meg Okura on "Samai."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best album I've heard in a very long time. Literally Grammy material, November 15, 2007

By	E. Berkowitz (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the best album I've heard in a very long time. Despite its being a jewish album recorded in several languages, it will appeal to people of standard tastes. It is very hard to describe, as it is almost a new genre. Middle eastern world music with a jam band feel and the precision of classical? Neo-classical jewish middle eastern/latin fem psychedelic jazz? middle eastern rock/psychedelic spiritual jam band music performed by obsessive compulsive classically trained gypsies? I don't know what to call it, and neither will you. But you will love it.
If it were in english, it would be nominated for a grammy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sublime, February 12, 2008

By	Erstwhile X. Mnemoi "bootsovitz" (Hotzeplotz) - See all my reviews

When this came on our local alternative station, WCBE, my ears perked straight up. What is THAT? I had never heard anything quite like it. I couldn't tell whether it was Arabic or Jewish (hallelujah and amen) and I had to dance while it was on, no question, in the midst of cleaning my kitchen. My pet cats and birds wondered what the deal was. When it was over I couldn't wait to hear what it was....Pharoah's Daughter? great name but still no clue, Arabic or Jewish, what's going on, is the Messiah here already? definitely overdue. So now I've found it on Amazon and I'm thrilled not just to be able to order this but to know so many other people are as blown away as I am. May the Middle East get it together the way this music does.