Customer comments on this Youngstown Ohio Book
 Haunting and beautiful
Laura Wetzler performs guitar and showcases her strong vocal talent on this album of kabbalah inspired melodies. The collection covers a variety of different composers from different time periods and countries including some of Laura Wetzler's own compositions. A piece by the twelfth century musician Ovadia Ha-Ger one of the oldest notable pieces of Jewish music opens the album. Chassidic nigunim, songs in Ladino and Debbie Friedman compositions are also featured. Most of Kabbalah Music exhibits Wetzler's voice with minimal instrumentation if any at all. Exceptions include a catchy number with members of The Klezmatics and L'Cha Dodi performed with members of the Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda. The 16th century Im Nin Alu by Rabbi Shalom Shabazi was a Jewish Yemenite standard for years and made popular by female Israeli singers, most recently the ethereal and operatic voiced Ofra Haza. In comparison I find Wetzler's version to be awful. With its out of tune inflections, it sounds like a liberal American trying too hard and failing to be authentically Middle Eastern. But don't be turned off until you get to the unexpected Tkhine of Sarah bas Toivim, which is a haunting Wetzler singing a cappella in English about a vision of paradise inhabited by different matriarchs from Jewish history. Her voice echoes and peirces as she described her seemingly endless journey "through the next gate where I saw Deborah the prophet..." Other songs featured range from Debbie Friedman in English to Yiddish and ancient Aramaic.
 If you like World Music...then you must hear this CD
I love this CD! It contains a beautiful blend of upbeat and smooth sounds, making it exceptional for playing anytime. Alicia Svigals and Lorin Sklamberg of the Klezmatics and the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda perform with Laura, to make the sound of the CD worldly and FUN! The music is based in Jewish tradition - I am non-Jewish - but that is the beauty of Laura's talent on this collection of songs - she reaches out to everyone. So....this CD is most definetly one to buy for any WORLD/New Age/Sacred Music sounding music collection. There is a even a little folk thrown in, "Narrow Bridge, "which is to me an inspirational piece. My friend turned me on to Laura's music - as she was playing "Songwriter's Notebook," her last CD. I couldn't help but enjoy Laura's voice, music and her cross cultural talent.
Kaballah Music -- A Meditation Journey
You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy and appreciate this CD! Even if you don't understand Hebrew, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish,) Yiddish, (or English!) this CD is worthy of some serious listening, if only to be transported by the vocals and the worldbeat music. Laura Wetzler has done it again--delivered a musically intense, diverse, and deeply moving program with her gorgeous voice, vast range, and remarkable talent and versatility. She captures the essence of a meditation journey, starting softly, building to a crescendo, and then easing the listener back down to earth. The joy and celebration of singing and chanting 15 Kabbalistic poems and tunes from all over the world (Africa; Middle East; Europe; the U.S.), including a few of her own, is clearly conveyed. The beautifully designed, informative booklet contains explanatory and historical notes for each of the songs. I give them as gifts. Great CD! Try this!
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