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

Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole- Somewhere over the rainbow

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!

Rebbesoul

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