Within My Walls (Dig) [Original recording]

Idan Raichel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording
• Label: Cumbancha
• ASIN: B001OFUU32
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,355 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #44 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel

Editorial Reviews

The Idan Raichel Project breaks down walls and musical boundaries with their second international release. Within My Walls features a diverse roster of guests and promises to bring even greater worldwide fame to this unique multicultural collective. The numerous special appearances include Mayra Andrade (Cape Verde), Marta Gómez (Colombia), Somi (Rwanda/Uganda) and others. On the heels of an explosive rise in popularity, record-breaking sales in Israel and sold-out performances across the globe to rapturous crowds in some of the world's most prestigious venues, The Idan Raichel Project returns with a powerful new album.

Much of Within My Walls was recorded over the past few years while Idan was on tour, during recording sessions in hotel rooms, backstage dressing areas, private homes and other impromptu settings. His poetic lyrics reflect these travels and contemplations; sung in Hebrew, Moroccan Arabic, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole and Swahili, the songs address the struggle for personal fulfillment and the true meaning of love in a conflicted and complex world. The result is a deeply moving recording, overflowing with rich melodies, engaging poetry, stunning vocal performances and intricate arrangements.

The Times of London has raved, "This one-man Middle East peace accord makes music that is an ambitious celebration of multicultural diversity. The ethnic elements are cleverly rewired with modern grooves to create an ambient journey that thrillingly bridges the traditional and the modern." Discover for yourself the magic of The Idan Raichel Project.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Album, February 24, 2009

By 

Matt While (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Within My Walls (Dig) (Audio CD)

I got this cd 2 months ago, having had it imported from Israel... I paid a bit extra but completely worth it.
I'm frankly addicted to this cd, along with the two others I have, though i don't speak more than a few sentences of hebrew... but i saw them twice two years ago, so you know where I'm coming from.

Thoughts, since nobody else apparently has gotten it yet:

All the Words: My least favorite track, I guess, for some reason I just don't like it too much.

Within My Walls - didn't like this as much as others, but wow, it's a beautiful, multifaceted song.

Scraps of Life - the violins and the melodies are gorgeous.

River Waters - if you've ever seen Idan Raichel in concert, you know what the percussionist can do with a simple bowl of water - this song will be incredible in concert. the combination of the water in the background and the sheer variety of everything happening at once this sound is stunning.

Other People's Dreams - This is the Mi'ma'amakim of this cd. Incredibly strong song, will be a staple without any doubt of all their shows. And the video is simplistic but very, very cool.

With My Eyes Shut: very straightforward, it just sounds, a bit... exotic.

Stay - also pretty straightforward, but the vocals lift it up.

Most of the Hours - I love this song, it's just such fun. the vibe kind of reminds me of "milim yafot" or "on shabbat" in concert. exuberant. even better, this is the most depressing song on the track... but without reading the lyrics, you'd never know. amazing contrast.

From the Day you Left - the intro sounds a bit like a more simple azini, unsurprising since they're both arabic songs... but it's a bold, beautiful song.

Every Day - actually understanding this song doesn't hurt, but it's just a beauty of a piece.

This Too Shall Pass (All Things Pass)- comparable to shuvi el beiti, i guess, very strong.

Locked in His Gaze - wow. i wish this song was the final one on the cd (and on the version i got, it was, since maisha was a separate single). such a strong ending.

Maisha - i'm not sure what to think about this song, i think it's the one in swahili, if i'm not mistaken... it's pretty, but i do not find it too remarkable.

If you have any interest in the project, BUY THIS IMMEDIATELY.
The replay value is INCREDIBLE, can be played over and over constantly and you'll ALWAYS hear something suddenly varied and seemingly new. I've listened to it daily for 2 months and just heard new aspects of it a few moments ago. It's that good.

This is a wonderful album.
Doesn't get old.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ohd shirim mets'yanim, March 7, 2009

By 

P. Willson (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Within My Walls (Dig) (Audio CD)

More outstanding songs! This new presentation by IRP is more consistently melodious and accessible than the previous work. It is not nearly as challenging,though, and I doubt it will hold up as well (I have listened to the Israeli original IRP a few hundred times at least and it is still surprising, beguiling, and new) but this CD really is lovely, with smooth, lush musical hooks. The Latin influence on Idan Raichel's inner ear (as opposed to the more spare Middle Eastern aspect) is evident throughout.

Once again, diverse musical styles and sounds are blended artfully, and musicians allowed to blossom with wonderful arrangements, rich production, and recording quality. I recommend the CD highly.

However! If the US version really is only one disc, you should spring for importing the Israeli version, which has a second disc featuring just one song. One stunning, Israeli-Brazilian song that already haunts my dreams.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful way to wake up in the morning, May 2, 2009

By 

E. Anderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Within My Walls (Dig) (Audio CD)

I am a newly converted fan of The Idan Raichel Project. I first discovered Idan Raichel's music on a Putumayo compilation last year and just fell in love with the rich melodies and ethnic diversity he had to offer in his music. I recently got hold of his new album WITHIN MY WALLS. This is my first full length album by The Idan Raichel Project that I had listed to. I have not been able to stop listening to it since I got it on Thursday. The music is beautiful. I particularly get immense satisfaction out of his gentle vocals although I do love listening to Marta Gomez, Shimon Buskila,Amir Dadon, and Mayra Andrade's vocals. I love what Idan Raichel has to offer with his music. His music is not strictly Middle Eastern nor Israeli. Idan takes the beautiful melodies from both worlds and fuses them with folk music. The results is heaven for my ears. I enjoy all thirteen tracks on the album. There was not one track on the album I didn't like. WITHIN MY WALLS has truly converted me into a Idan Raichel fan.