Am I the only one who makes Hanukkah mixtapes as well as Christmas mixtapes? I can't be. True enough, there aren't a lot of "classic" Hanukkah tunes out there from the 40s, 50s, or 60s. No stacks of forgotten vinyl rock or R&B obscurities waiting to be rescued from garage sales and good will stores (though my pal Erine (Not Bert) has turned up a few interesting nuggets through the years). And, even today, when various modern and contemporary Hanukkah songs are being recorded, it's nothing like the all-you-can-eat buffet of Christmas music that deluges us every year. All the more reason to tackle the subject. I love a good challenge. Hanukkah begins on the 20th this year, so I thought we should give you some tuneage before it begins, rather than once it's underway. For this piece, we'll avoid the free ones you should know about, like the recent collection from Craig Taubman and DJBC's collection of "Menorah MashUps" ("Challahback Girl" is awesome). You should already know about those. And we may address music you can purchase in depth at a later time (right now, you're probably tapped, right?).
Let's start with a really nice Folk Pop number from The Wellspring. The Wellspring are Dov Rosenblatt and Talia Osteen. The genius of "Keep A Light" is that they never specifically mention Hanukkah (or menorahs or latkes). It could just as easily be a winter tune. But it certainly works as a Hanukkah tune and you know that was the intent. I really like this tune. If only it weren't for those meddlesome kids. I hereby make a plea to every artist in the world: if you ever find yourself thinking, "Hey, you know what would sound great? Some kids singing on the chorus." Don't. Just...don't. Even kids don't want to hear that. Other than that, the song is aces. "Keep A Light" is a free download on Bandcamp.
Okay, this isn't really a Hanukkah song either. But you have to be creative when you're making Hanukkah mixtapes. You're basically making a Christmas mixtape for a person (or persons) who doesn't celebrate Christmas, per se. Got the picture? Well, what does someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas do on Christmas, anyway? Chicago's Diana Lawrence will happily tell you. She celebrates "Chinese And A Movie Day". Diana Lawrence wears a lot of musical hats, including fronting the group Diana & The Dishes, who serve up a full deli special of rock, folk, jazz and humor at every opportunity (I'm not sure if there's any cheesecake involved). As Diana notes, this special non-Christmas holiday isn't just for the Chosen People.
"Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and Hindus hang out for a day
in peace and love and moo shoo and perhaps a matinee"
"Chinese And A Movie Day" is a free download from Bandcamp and comes in two versions--a studio version and one recorded live at Chicago's Uncommon Ground. I'll leave it to you to decide which one hits your funny bone the hardest. And don't be a stranger. Stop by Diana's web site and see her sometime.
"Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and Hindus hang out for a day
in peace and love and moo shoo and perhaps a matinee"
"Chinese And A Movie Day" is a free download from Bandcamp and comes in two versions--a studio version and one recorded live at Chicago's Uncommon Ground. I'll leave it to you to decide which one hits your funny bone the hardest. And don't be a stranger. Stop by Diana's web site and see her sometime.
Their web site describe Blammos as "a 60s inspired indie pop combo", but it's hard to get that from "Chanukah With A C". On that track, they sound much more like drunken college students singing sea shantys. In other words, awesome! "Chanukah With A C" is just one track on what would seem to be an ongoing collection of holiday tunes (mostly Christmas)--"It's Christmas Everywhere (Except In My Heart)". I've downloaded the entire album but, so far, the Chanukah track is the only one I've listened to, and I've listened to it a lot. As original Chanukah songs go, this one is definitely original. And I truly mean that in the best way possible. Pick up "Chanukah With A C" or get the whole collection--your call--on Bandcamp
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Shaindel Antelis is a singer/songwriter who makes music with a primary purpose being to inspire and lift up women and young girls. So she's constantly using the phrase "For Women Only", which is a bit off-putting to a guy. Hey, I can appreciate uplifting inspirational music, too. Of course, she also includes a smiley face, which kind of tells me she doesn't mind at all if men listen to her music. Shaindel's second album, "Change", was released just last year and included the song "Miracles" (not the Matisyahu song). She has just released "Miracles"as a free Hanukkah download and you'll find the link on her Facebook page as well as on her web site.
OK, now the big finish. Like many of the music blogs out there, the proprietors of My Jewish Learning know a few people in the music business. They asked some of their favorite artists if they might record their favorite Chanukah songs and here's what they got.
Mi Yimalel (Who Can Retell) from Stereo Sinai
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah from Mista Cookie Jar of Chibi Vision
Maoz Tzur from Dov Rosenblatt, Rosi Golan & Deena Goodman
Sivivon Sov Sov Sov from Alicia Jo Rabins of Girls In Trouble
That's not a bad little set there. The renditions are fairly traditional, but each with just enough of a twist to make them special. Much as I love Girls In Trouble, my favorite here is the track from Stereo Sinai. All these songs are available to download free from My Jewish Learning.
Mi Yimalel (Who Can Retell) from Stereo Sinai
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah from Mista Cookie Jar of Chibi Vision
Maoz Tzur from Dov Rosenblatt, Rosi Golan & Deena Goodman
Sivivon Sov Sov Sov from Alicia Jo Rabins of Girls In Trouble
That's not a bad little set there. The renditions are fairly traditional, but each with just enough of a twist to make them special. Much as I love Girls In Trouble, my favorite here is the track from Stereo Sinai. All these songs are available to download free from My Jewish Learning.
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