One of the perks of being a popular blogger is free stuff, so I jumped at the opportunity to review a new Chanukah CD put out by Erran Baron Cohen (Borat’s Brother)
Songs From the Key of Chanukah is a very interesting album, it has some classics like the dreidle song and mao-tzur. But these songs are not your regular MBD versions, the CD features Y-Love rapping on several songs including the last song in which he tells the story of chanukah – its very clever. I also liked the English version of Mao Tzur which is entitled “Rock of Ages.”
Ocho Kndalikas is interesting although besides for the subject matter I wouldn’t necessarily call it a Chanukah song- although I have no idea what would classify a song as a Chanukah song in the first place.
Its definitely not a heimishe album, but that is probably why it sounds so good, I really liked the way they remade the classics with eclectic sounds and interesting vocals
Check out Y-Love performing with Erran Baron Cohen on the Conan O’Brien Show.
I actually really like the album. My Hannukah is very clever and I really like the ladino tracks, but maybe that’s because I pretty much understand them.
Its Ladino and not Spanish?
I heard Erran Baron-Cohen’s interview with John Schaefer. I loved it, and downloaded the album, I even got my uber-yeshivish brother into it.
Disclaimer for those interested that there’s kol isha on a few tracks.
I’m not so fussed on the Ladino tracks (Ocho Kandelikas and A La Luz De La Vela), but I quite like Idan Raichel on Relics of Love and Light. Oddly, the YouTube video of Dreidel has Y Love rapping, but it’s not on the actual song? My fave is Rock of Ages (and not the female version of Ma’oz Tzur). It’s such a shiny and polished album, just beautiful. Almost wish they’d included some more tracks – 10 doesn’t seem enough.
As Hippie mentioned, the album is 60% kol isha though – the tracks are Ocho Kandelikas, Look to the Light (in the chorus/background singers), Rock of Ages (again background), Relics of Love and Light, A La Luz De La Vela and Ma’oz Tzur.
heres the music video. but whats up with what they are spray painting?
Ocho candelicas was done by many artists, check out the hip hop version (untznius warning).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7vU9g1WTk
Yeah, kandalikas is definitely not Spanish. Plus Yasmin Levy is the one singing the tracks and she sings in Ladino.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this album! Thanks for sharing it. I love when Jewish music is actually good.. If you are interested in similar styles, try the So-Called Hip-Hop Haggadah – it’s incredible and always helps me deal with the insanity that is Pesach.. plus it has a great beat 🙂
I think that Erran Baron Cohen shows Jews in a far more favorable LIGHT than his brother.
shevers…can you hook me up? i need some bumping chunukah tracks other than uncle moishy for some rice krispy-treat-making fun
Hey at least we don’t have to deal with the Alvin and the Chipmunks chanukah album
oh swell…just the mention of the chipmunks band gets that song in my head. there goes today.
I usually don’t give plugs, but these guys rock go to you tube and SEARCH :
The Vokols – Mao’Tzur
make sure the apostrophe carries over on the cut and paste between Mao Tzur