recent israeli pop

[Ari Davidow <ari...>]

On our more recent trip to Israel, we came back with very few pop CDs
that were recommended by friends. I didn't find anything that seemed
particular "edgy", or at any rate, they didn't recommend anything, and
we spent, maybe, a cumulative 15 minutes in record stores, so this is
an unusually mainstream list for me. I'd love to hear more detailed
comments from other people who have heard these:

Ivri Lider / Better nothing than almost (yoter tov klum me'kim'at)
    Okay pop. Nothing outstanding. Suspect that it was high on the 
    current Israeli charts. A very interesting Hebrew font used on
    the liner notes--must find out what it is and purchase a copy!

If it's love / The best of Ehud Manor's love songs
    And, indeed, a lovely collection of songs by one of Israel's masters,
    sung by a familiar and pleasant gang ranging from Mazi Cohen, Mati 
    Caspi, Yehudit Ravitz, etc.

Zahava Ben / from the songs of Sasha Argov
    Possibly the best of the current female vocalists singing in Arabic
    style. This is an excellent collection, and somewhat curious given
    that Sasha Argov wrote for European songsters. Doesn't matter. 
    The lyrics may be familiar, but the settings are very much of 
    Edot ha-mizrakh. 

Yehudit Ravitz / and the Israeli Philharmonic
    As impressive as the historic and eternal Esther Ofarim at Heichal
    Ha-tarbut? I think not. But, still, Ravitz has a wonderful voice and
    it is interesting to hear her in an orchestral setting. As a Ravitz
    fan I may be more excited after a few listens. 

'Amir Benion / Same place, same feeling (oto makom, ota ha-ruakh)
    A truly excellent Mizrahi singer. I am really enjoying getting into
    this one. Nothing earth-shattering, but an imperfect, honest-sounding
    voice in Mizrahi style with decent lyrics. Some delightful oud. Some
    fun with western styles, as on "Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky". 

Hope these are of interest, and back to the American version of new Jewish 
music....
ari


Ari Davidow
ari (at) ivritype(dot)com
list owner, jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
the klezmer shack: http://www.klezmershack.com/

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