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Rock and Roll and Payos. All about Jewish Singer-Songwriters

By Mark Etinger

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Published: 28Jul2009
Word count: 575
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There's a new music scene developing in Israel and spreading throughout the world. It's got folk-rock roots and lyrics such "it's fun to be a Jew." It's the new original Jewish music.

Jewish music was always around, and flourished in the 60's with folk singers like Reb Shlomo Carlebach. The famous troubadour was a great performer and composer - but he wasn't a songwriter. Like Carlebach, most Jewish musicians that were working until recently - only composed Verses from the Torah and did not write their own material. But in the last few years we see more and more Jewish musicians who turn into real singer-songwriters and write about their religious and daily lives as Orthodox Jews.

They say that the trend began with Adi Ran who started his musical career back in the 1990's in Tel-Aviv's underground bar scene. His songs were heavily critical, humorist and even anarchistic, influenced with punk music, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. In 1993 Ran became a baal teshuva and got closer and closer to the Breslov Hasidim that dance around the streets of Tel Aviv and spread the word of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.

But Ran's music only got better and better. He kept his rock influence and humorist spirit (he's got a song titled "It's so fun to be a Jew) and began recording albums that can only be defined as Hasidic Underground. Today, Adi Ran leads the Jewish original alternative music, and proudly carries the title "the Rocker" of Jewish music. Adi Ran's recommended albums are: Don't Hit the Rock ("Al Takeh Basela") and Nothing to Worry About ("Ma Yesh Lachem Lid'og").

"You know what year it is?" asked me once the singer-songwriter Aaron Razel. "This is 5765" he then said, "we're in the 60's of the Jewish people!" Razel was born in New York and grew up in Jerusalem. After his army service, he received a Master's degree in Music and started making music in the city of Tsfat. Razel incorporates his own jewish driven texts with modern day music that is influenced by Israeli music, reggae, jazz, Funk and Rock. Razel's recommended albums are Redemption Time ("Zman Hageula") and Song of Zion ("Shir Tzion").

Matthew Paul Miller, you might recognize him as Matisyahu, has brought the word outside of the gates Israel and Jewish people. His Hasidic Jewish reggae is a worldwide phenomena and a number 1 hit amongst all cultures and religions. Matisyahu's music has a unique mix of rap, reggae and rock and in his songs and listeners can even find words in Hebrew and Yiddish.

Of course that it takes a lot of effort to keep things kosher as a Jewish star. Matishyahu for example, does not put his glasses on while he performs so he won't see all the dancing ladies, and he has to keep his payos, hat and long beard - even when they're not in the height of fashion.

Jewish inspired music is relatively new. But with the success of Matisyahu, we can anticipate musical growth and more artists hitting the scene. If you are interested to discover more about new Jewish music or get yourself a CD by one of the artists above, then visit www.Eichlers.com for a full catalog of original Jewish music. For all your Judaica needs, just drop in to www.eichlers.com - and start enjoying being Jewish.

www.Eichlers.com - whether you need a Tallis, Book, or the latest in Jewish music http://www.eichlers.com is the place to shop.

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