7/29/2019 Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics by Laura Wetzler. Reviewed by Pieter Uys.

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Mystical Magic in Many StylesReviewed by Pieter Uys

This collection of meditations, devotions and ecstacies from around the

globe, mostly sung in Hebrew and English, also contains songs in Ladino,

Lugandan, Yiddish and Aramaic.

7/29/2019 Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics by Laura Wetzler. Reviewed by Pieter Uys.

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Laura Wetzler was assisted by an outstanding group of musicians to create an

impressive and varied album of devotional music. It opens with the intense

Wa-eda Ma, one of the oldest notated pieces of synagogue music discovered

yet, composed by Ovadia Ha-Ger in the 12th century. The Kol Haneshama

meditation with its hypnotic percussive texture draws onPsalm 150, Isaiah 6:3

and the work of two mystics from Spain.

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7/29/2019 Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics by Laura Wetzler. Reviewed by Pieter Uys.

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Narrow Bridge is a Hassidic song with a jazzy feel and is followed by Laura's

interpetation ofIm Nin'alu, the song that madeOfra Hazafamous many years

ago. This version is more earthy and traditional but equally appealing. Sung

entirely in Hebrew, the enchanting Bar Yochaireflects the ten Sephirot on the

Tree of Lifein its stanzas. The melodious music is a seamless fusion of East and

West. With its buoyant percussion and engrossing textures, it has an uplifting

effect on the spirit.

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7/29/2019 Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics by Laura Wetzler. Reviewed by Pieter Uys.

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The words of the uptempo Klezmer Hechalotdate from about 1700 years ago

and it is a rhythmic number with a most joyous feel, whilstJacob Wakes Up, an

event from Genesis 28, is a tender slow song with lovely guitar. A definite

highlight of the album is L'cha Dodi, where Laura is joined by Gershom Sizomu

and JJ Keki of the Abayudaya community of Uganda. Sung in Lugandan-

Hebrew, this is a most charming blend of African and Hebrew music with a

catchy tune. As a stirring devotional to the Sabbath and the Shechina it

gracefully carries the words of Salomon Alkabetz on a lilting rhythm.

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7/29/2019 Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics by Laura Wetzler. Reviewed by Pieter Uys.

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The Hassidic composition Dudele is sung in a blend of Yiddish and Hebrew; it

has a complex arrangement and frequent tempo changes. Ya Ribom Alam is an

exuberant Aramaic praise song with an appealing melody and impressive

instrumental flourishes. The album concludes with the tender and comforting

Shalom Alechem, a moving prayer for protection and blessing.

http://www.laurawetzler.com/kabbalahmusic.html

The attractive CD booklet contains an introduction by Wetzler, the lyrics inHebrew and English plus information on the writers and composers. There is

also a note on the background and tradition of every song. This inspiring music

has a salutary effect on the soul and is a wonderful showcase of the wealth of

mystical Jewish music from different eras and areas.

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