Customer Reviews

Jewish Ethiopian Liturgy

5 star:		(3)
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It is understandable why one of the previous reviewers mistook this to be Christian liturgies. Ethiopian Jews were an integral part of Ethiopia, and in most of their customs resembled their neighbors. Their religious music, sung by the "Kess" (priests) was very similar to their neighbors', as well. However, the wonderful music on this CD was recorded in 1986 in Jerusalem, Israel. THe performers were all Ethiopian Jews (some of whom I had the honor of meeting personally) and the liturgies were all from the Ethiopian Jewish tradition. The music on this CD id very spiritual. It is fully within the Ethiopian musical tradition, and the vocals sometimes remind me of the sound of the masinko instrument (one string fiddle). I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in Ethiopian Music.

Sorry to disagree with the previous reviewer, but I have bought the album, and to me this seems like true Jewish music. The album notes say, "Ethiopian music is nearly always in strict metrical time; what is more, it is done with a regular beat. The words of songs are spilled into a musical mould where they have no hope of affecting that regular beat. In the Jewish liturgy, quite to the contrary, it is the words which are sacred and hold sway. For that reason, the liturgy of the Jews of Ethiopia is mostly unmeasured." The music in the album is indeed mostly unmeasured. The titles of the pieces (according to the album notes) are clearly Jewish, referring to Yom Kippur, Pessah, Shavuot, etc. In the music I can frequently hear the word "Adonai". The music is difficult, but fascinating, very different and authentic. Good notes. Overall an excellent album.

the title is wrong. it's not jewish liturgy -- this will hopefully explain why... it's a great album...as an ethiopian, i can say that this is an album composed of music from the Greater Ethiopia and not music composed by the Falashas. It's mostly music sung not by Falashas, rather it's from different regions of the country like the provinces of Wollo and Shoa, where it's sung by the Christians and Muslims. So the title needs to be edited to "Ethiopian Liturgy."

Cheers!