Rebbesoul

On January 17, 1994, Los Angeles experienced an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 which killed 72 people, injured 9,000 others, and caused $20 billion in damage. One community there responded by organizing a benefit concert where the proceeds would go to a local earthquake relief fund. My first album, "RebbeSoul" had recently been released and had success in the mainstream music world. I was invited to perform. I brought along some of my band mates to help out, especially backing up some of the other artists, among whom, was Reb Shlomo Carlebach.

There were some opening acts and then we were called up to play. At the end of our set, we played Avinu. Usually, it is a rousing and powerful piece and this night was no exception. Afterwards, I ventured out into the audience and noticed a friend motioning me to come over. As I got closer, I saw Reb Shlomo sitting next to him. My friend said, “I want to introduce you to someone,” and introduced me to a man who has probably had the most profound influence on Jewish culture in my lifetime. Reb Shlomo slowly rose from his chair, his eyes fixed on me almost in bewilderment. His mouth was open but hadn’t said anything yet. He embraced me and then said one sentence I shall never forget. He exclaimed, “Gevalt! It was from another world!” With those words, he showed what the Hassidic masters had always claimed about music – that it can be a holy instrument, connecting our world here with the one above, from the heart to the Heavens. I realized I was in the presence of someone who not only understood but lived that notion. He knew - we musicians are channels. Once we hone our skills enough, the best thing we can do is get out of the way and let the light of Heaven shine through. I was in the presence of a real holy man.

“Gevalt! It was from another world!” That is where the title for this RebbeSoul album comes from. It is entirely the music of Reb Shlomo Carlebach and It is called “From Another World.”

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach was one of the greatest spiritual teachers in the last 100 years. People adored him from all over the world, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu,... black, white, red,... young, old,... He always said he had a great wish to meet everyone, to make friends with everyone, everywhere. He touched many. He also wrote over 2000 songs and this is my humble performance of his profoundly simple yet deeply spiritual music that truly alludes to something From Another World.

L'Man Achai

Moishele's Nigun

Eliyahu, Ha'Navi done a little differently. I initially released this on the Common Tongue album, Step Into My World.  It features Lynn Rose doing the main vocal with me.  It’s a song that’s sung on Passover and at Havdalah at the end of Shabbat.  I wrote my own melody for it and kept the traditional words.

Even though I wrote it for Common Tongue it lends itself to RebbeSoul so here it is on "Change The World With A Sound," a RebbeSoul release.

Eliyahu

The Hope - Hatikvah

Champagne

Moroccan/Jewish song:
Lyrics by Shlomo Ibn Gabirol (Andalusia - 11th Century Spain)
Melody by Muhamed Wahabi (Algeria) D. Abichzer
In English - "Peace To You, My Cousin"
In French - "Paix à toi mon cousin"
Produced by RebbeSoul
Recorded in the Sea of Galilee area
George Simann - vocals and oud
Yuval Banay - vocals
Avi Agababa - percussion
RebbeSoul - guitar, bass, percussion, programming
Special thanks to Glenn Tamir

I produced a recording of celebrated Oud player and singer, George Simaan in Israel. He is an Arab Christian and I arranged it as a duet with star Israeli Jewish singer, Yuval Banay of significant fame in that part of the world. Having these two talents, in the same room together, singing as brothers was an unforgettable moment. I recorded them in the area of the Sea of Galilee using my mobile, recording setup, specifically designed for recording in remote locations.  All the tracking was done in one day. These guys are real pros and I spent another few days recording additional musicians and later mixed everything. The whole process took a week and a half.  In spite of it being officially unreleased, it made it on the radio and that was so cool hear!

Shalom Leven Dodi - with George Simaan and Yuval Banay

PLANET TEXAS

They rode like they was Rangers  
when they came out of the skies.
They had high tech horses, 
with the beacons in their eyes. 

My Colt was cocked and ready 
when I looked into their face.
I’d seen they weren't just common Buckaroos, 
born of the human race. 
No sir!  These Cowboys came from space.

Their shootin' irons shot laser light 
and their spurs was anodized,
bandanas caked with star dust 
and their jeans is pressurized.

They had twenty gallon Stetson hats, 
that turned sometimes and glowed.
And their boots let off a slight exhaust, 
so when they walked their feet just flowed,
about an inch above the road.

Yupee-i-a-a-a-y-e-e

Well they said howdy partner,
don't get yourself alarmed.
We don't mean to bring you trouble
We don't mean to bring you harm.

Us boys is goin' ridin',
why don't you come along,
You could surely take a little break.
Come on, it won't take long, 
and you look tired of writing songs.

Well I thought I best be careful.
It be foolish to get him riled.
When a cowboy got a side iron, 
that shoots for fifty miles.

And he handed me a halter
and I  tightened up the girth.
But before I hit the saddle, 
we were miles above the earth.
Looking down on ol’ Fort Worth.

Yupee-i-a-a-a-y-e-e
Yupee-i-o-o-o-o-o-o

I seen London, Paris, Budapest,
Kashmir and Tokyo.
And there ain't no sight like a desert night,
looking down on Mexico.

To the moons of Mars and Jupiter
'round Saturn’s rings we rode.     
past the frozen plains of Pluto      
where even the sun shines cold.  
And man I do mean cold.             

Then our interstellar stallions
sailed through a starless void.
There was nothing to miss, in that emptiness,      
not even a stray asteroid.                                

'Till we picked up the trail of a comet tail,
man, you can't even dream that far!                                   
and our galloping beat, like the rhythm,
of an old cat gut guitar,
just a strummin' to the distant stars.

Yupee-i-a-a-a-y-e-e

Well it could’ve lasted minutes
or a hundred thousand years.
But they got me down, and I was safe and sound 
and it hadn't even popped my ears.
 
Then they reared back on their broncos
and they shot a bolt of light.
I knew they were the good guys,
yes sir! you got it right
'cause their cowboy hats was white.

Well, I asked them, as they pulled their reigns
towards the setting sun,
"before you go I'd like to know
just where you boys come from." 

Well they opened up a star chart
and said "right here where this X is.
It's the Biggest place in outer space,
a planet known as Texas.
That's right I just said Texas.

Yupee-i-a-a-a-y-e-e
Yupee-i-o-o-o-o-o-o

Planet Texas

Amanda Brown's second single from her forthcoming debut album "Dirty Water".

No Good

iTunes

Eyes of a Child was composed off of a story of a child's memory of Heaven before birth. Children are chronologically closer to Heaven, which is why they shine. It isn't only because they are little that they are so endearing. As we grow older life looses it's wonder and lustre so we can regain this spirit by seeing through the Eyes of a Child. 
Produced and recorded in Nashville by Ed Pettersen and also in Norway by string wizard Freddy Holm.
This is a song well - loved by many.

Mostly Solo

Eyes Of A Child

Over and Over is a deep track with a Kabbalistic backstory, but your interpretation is valid as are any others. This song taps into Eden.
Produced and recorder by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw at Shock Studios, U.K.
Acoustic Guitar & Vox - Seth
Synths and Backup Vox - Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw

Over And Over

Vibe list:

Love of my life
Makeda (Ticklah Mix)
Can't take my eyes off of you
Crazy
Tainted
Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)
Slow Down
7 Days (DJ Premier Remix)
Rock the boat (Dancemix)
Tell me
Got 'til its gone
U know what's up
Dance Tonite
Forthenight
After Party
Don't Talk

For those of you interested and want to get more info feel free to reach out! Drop a comment and let me know what you think! 

- DJ François of Still Us Productions
E: info@stillusproductions.net
M: (510)634-5423
W: www.AnyxMeans.com

Eliyahu

RebbeSoul

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