Customer Reviews

Yiddish Songs

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4 star:		(2)
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Chava Alberstein has a voice like honey, with an underlying smokiness that brings both traditional Yiddish songs and modern poems, newly set to music, to life. And the music on this spectacular CD will enrich your life, whether you understand Yiddish or have never heard it spoken before. The music is universal and the expression that Alberstein gives to the songs, old and new, will bridge the gap between the Yiddish culture and yours. Alberstein's voice is huge, and her tender and compassionate interpretations give added depth to the music.

The traditional "Oifen Pri'pe'tchik" is one of my favorites. My Nana used to sing it to me when I was a very little girl. Other old folk songs include: "A Keshenever" (The Song Of Kishinev), and "Oifn Veg Sh'tait a Boim," (On The Road There Is A Tree), is rousing klezmer sound at its best. "Tsigainer" (The Gypsy And His Fiddle) features wonderful gypsy violin music. And "Dona, Dona" is a lyrical folk song made popular by Joan Baez back in the 1960s. Modern interpretations include: "Avremi Marvikher," (Avremi the Con Man), by Mordechi Gebirtig, which was written before WWII, and is reminiscent of the pre-war cabaret sound. "Friling," (Spring) is a beautifully poignant song written by Shimke Katzerginsky in the Vilna Ghetto in 1943. "Unter Dy'ne Vy'se Shetern," (Under the White Stars), a prayer-lyric, was written by Israeli-Yiddish poet Abraham Sutsever, the bard of the Vilna Ghetto. And the stirring partisan song "Zog Nit Kein'mol" is an extraordinary addition to this compilation.

This is one of Ms. Alberstein's best CDs and one of my favorites. Sometimes the music will make you want to dance. Sometimes you will just want to listen. I promise you will always be moved by this very special sound.
JANA

Chava Alberstein has a lovely, smoky voice. The songs on this cd are played and performed very well. Alberstein first became famous as a folk singer in the 1960s. She was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel as a young girl, so her folk and the folk music familiar to Americans is not exactly the same. The songs on this cd are traditional Yiddish songs from Central Europe - there is not a hint of Middle Eastern music. Strangely enough, the songs really sound like Berlin cabaret songs from the 1920s. I say strangely, because obviously the lyrics are far removed from that world. Many of the songs make reference to the Holocaust, though if you can't understand either Yiddish or German this will not be obvious.
I wish the lyrics had been included in the packaging - I can see why international labels selling world music don't bother including lyrics written in, say, Wolof or Swahili, but Yiddish is close enough to German to be understandable to a greater percentage of listeners. An explanation of each song's meaning is provided, however.
The songs come from a selection of her Israeli albums. The sound quality is acceptable, but some of the songs do sound a bit old.

This is a beautiful album which I gave as a gift to my father; he loves it and plays it over and over again. For elderly Yiddish speakers, it can be a really moving experience; but even for those who are not so old (or do not speak the language) it is a powerful album of great beauty.

This collection of Yiddish songs sung by Chava Alberstein is one of the finest in the Yiddish catalogue. Her richness and clarity will touch everyone, even those not familiar with Mama Loshen or those with a poor memory (even my mother with dementia lit up when she heard the singing!).

As others have commented it would have been nice to have translations or transliterations to sing along. Nonetheless, you will not be disappointed.

A GREAT complement to this CD is one from Theodore Bikel (Treasury of Yiddish Folk and Theatre Songs; Remastered on Rhino RHM 27827). Although originally recorded in the 1950s and 1960s, this remastered CD contains many of the selections of Alberstein as well as translations and transliterations. Their respective interpretation (and accompanyment) creates an incredible concert and joy to the ears! Purchase Both! and you won't be disappointed.

chava albersteins shines in this remarkanle collection.this recording proves you don't have to understand the language to be moved by the delivery of the text.chava gets subtle yet powerful feeeling in every song.the voice is caressing,exhilirating,heavenly and earthbound all at once.a must have for any lover of world music or female vocalists in general.

Yiddish Songs is labelled as a 'Blue Note' record. It is not a 'Blue Note' record, just a compilation from older Israeli records by Chava. Good choice of songs by a great singer.

Great musicality and richness to this singer and music. This is a really enjoyable CD.

Chava performs Yiddish songs with a great voice and soul. This disk offers a good selection of her songs. Highly recommended.