[HANASHIR:16382] RE: Abayudaya

[Steve Meltzer <steve...>]

Greg, Randee, Charki, et. al. -

I picked up this CD last month, and I have to concur with Greg.  This CD -- 
which
was compiled and annotated by notated ethnomusicologist and Executive Director 
at
Tufts University Hillel, Rabbi Jeff Summit -- is a fascinating and truly unique
musical experience, and has a "Graceland"-esque (Paul Simon) potential in terms 
of
its influence on American Jewish music.

There is more fascinating material on the Abayudaya ("Children of Judah" in
Luganda).  Rabbi Summit and photojournalist Richard Sobol collaborated on
"Abayudaya: The Jews of Uganda", by Rabbi Summit and
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789207761/qid=1073191657/sr=1-1/re
f=sr_1_1/103-7576979-0771065?v=glance&s=books).  You can find more information 
on
the Abayudaya at www.kulanu.org, including "Shalom Everybody Everywhere", the
first community recording of the music of the Abayudaya; you can also help 
support
the Abayudaya community by purchasing kippot and tallitot on the Kulanu site.

Of course, many of you know that Noam Katz is currently in Uganda working and
living with the Abayudaya community, and has already related to several Hanashir
members some fascinating information about his work with the people there.  I'm
sure that many of us (including myself) are looking forward to hearing more
stories from Noam, and eagerly await his return to the states with pictures and
more music of the Abayudaya.


B'shalom,

Steve Meltzer
508-366-9457  (home)
508-579-8433  (cell)
AIM Screen Name:  meltz15
steve (at) meltzerworld(dot)net
www.meltzerworld.net

*********************************

"Who is wise?  One who learns from everybody."  --  Pirkei Avot 4:1


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of
Greg J Siegle
Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2004 7:45 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:16378] Abayudaya
Hi all,

I just got the CD "Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of
Uganda" (on Smithsonian Folkways records, described more at
http://www.folkways.si.edu/catalog/40504.htm) and thought it
might be of interest to folks on this list.

Released in 2003, this CD is a compilation of 24 new and traditional
Ugandan Jewish melodies, some done chorally and some very Afro-pop.
The rhythms are, for me, addicting and the music is quite powerful. It has
a very different feeling than much other Jewish music. It's wild to hear
the birds and crickets through the thatched hut in which it was recorded.
The liner notes are also quite detailed and very informative.

The CD has a particularly excellent setting for Adon Olam. Some of the
songs on this CD have a similar flavor to Noam Katz's "Ame Yisrael Chai",
sung at Hava Nashira this year.

B'shalom,
Greg





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