'REDEMPTION'
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'REDEMPTION' : A unique compilation of inspirational camp songs about Moshiach and Guela.
Reviewed by Efraim Weinfeld for TheCoolJew.com
Caution: This is not a completely original album per say, meaning that most of
the 13 songs, all with English lyrics, are “T.T.T.O” (that's camp language
for using the tune of an existing song with their own lyrics). Meyer Rivkin, the
producer and singer, is not new to the music scene as he already has two CD's
('Expressions of the Soul' – Niggunei HaRebbe and 'Shliach Tzibur' – Learn To Lead)
and two music videos ('It Happened Yom Kippur' and 'The Promise') to his credit.
In this album his young son Mendel sings with him on many on the songs.
Now onto the actual album. It's a nice compilation of camp songs from
Gan Yisrael, professionally recorded with music mostly done by electric
piano and other instruments, with the exception of the last song which was
done by a 60 piece symphony orchestra. The songs were mainly arranged by
Eitan Kantor and Zalman Goldstien, who both did a phenomenal job.
Like I said before this isn't a run of the mill album but I'll go through every
song anyway.
Listen My Child - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Kel Adon - Well, it is
officially a Carlebach composition but they somewhat embellished the song
so that even Shlomo himself would perhaps find it hard to recognize. The song
gets off to a Mediterranean beat then moves into the tune we all hold dear. The
lyrics speak for themselves: Don't worry, be happy. Can't really go wrong
with that. 4 out of 5
A Voice In The Forest - Composed by the Shpoler Zeideh (Rebbe) - the song is a
generic slow song, but sung with so much feeling. The song has a lot
of meaning behind the words, expressing that Hashem is in search of a Yid
and a Yid is in search of Hashem. The Ribonoy Shel Olom removes the
“guards” He himself placed to allow his His children to return even if they
have at first strayed. The song is comparing us to children who are lost,
one day to be found. The boy (Mayer Rivkin's son, Mendel) who sings in
middle of the song has a beautiful voice and adds a lot to the concept of the
song as a whole. 4 out of 5
The Task Of Moshiach's Dor - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Ki Heim
Chayeinu - The song has a more Klemzer feel to it, not always a bad
thing, as is clear from this song. They left the Carlebachness in this
song, always nice. Again the words are basically conveying the message
that we must all realize that the "Yimei Moshiach" are upon us and we
must love our brothers in order to end our suffering. Pretty good
song. 5 out of 5
Every Jew Possesses - T.T.T.O. Niggun Simcha - Nichoach #4 - I'll be
honest, I've never heard the original niggun before but I like it
anyway. It's a very somber tune that speaks straight from the heart.
The song tells you in essence how to love every Jew, good move
considering that's what the last song told us to do. The boy soloist
Mendel Rivkin from before, pops in again with some sweet singing.
Nice. 3 out of 5
Rebbe We Need You – (not a camp song) Composed by Chana Motchkin.
Wow! The song simply sweeps you away on it's melodious wings.
The high part is what really makes the song in my opinion. The song reminds
us of the losses of our Tzaddikim who passed on (you don't have to be Lubavitch,
Litvish Tzaddikim were niftar also). 3 out of 5
To Love A Fellow Jew - Another Gan Yisrael original. This song begins
sounding like a 50 piece orchestra then comes the young soloist Mendel Rivkin again,
setting the tone for the rest of the song. If you couldn't tell yet we
are pretty into loving our brothers no matter how strange they may
look or talk. The song is a bit tuneless but still gets the idea through.
5 out of 5
Shabbos (Mikolos Mayim) - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Mikolos Mayim
Rabim- Whew! Another Carlebach, eh? I think I heard these lyrics for
the song before and guess what? I still love them. The song itself is
a story on it's own but these words add so much more to the song. Nine
minutes is a bit long but this song deserves it, hats off to this one.
5 out of 5
A Young Boy Holds - T.T.T.O. Keili Atah, originally composed by the
Alter Rebbe - I'm impressed that they managed to get words with the song
that make it sound as if that's how the Rebbe originally composed it
with. The song is the story of every child's yearning for the geulah
to come Bemehairah Biyamainu. Mayer Rivkin, who is also singing the harmony
with his son, shows his feelings that is also in every Yid. Heartwarming to say the
least. 4 out of 5
Golus, Confused And Upset - T.T.T.O. Niggun Karlin- We Need Moshiach!!
Enough said. 4 ot of 5
Wake Up Yidden - Composed in Camp Gan Yisrael - You've got to love the
happy-go-lucky marching tune! I loved the violin sound at 1:10, gives
the song a more thematic sound to it. The song gives an idea of what
is to come, hopefully soon. I'll march to that! 5 out of 5
It Happened Yom Kippur - T.T.T.O. At The Foot Of The Kosel,
originally sung and composed by J.E.P. (the first album) - I love how
they completely changed the intro for the song by throwing in the
violin sound (if you couldn't tell yet, I like violin). The song
reminds us of the troubles constantly plaguing our Holy Land. The song
speaks of the faith of a soldier on his way to the war on Yom Kippur.
May this song remind us to stay strong through all our troubles. Loved
the arrangements on this song. 5 out of 5
Oh Why, We Jews All Cry - T.T.T.O. Kotel Maaravi- Again the boy
vocalist Mendel Rivkin takes away your breath as soon as you hear him. And again it
tells the tale of every Jews wish to bring Moshiach and end our
suffering. The song keeps its sad slow tune till the end when it
changes into a completely different song speaking of the pure joy we
will feel when He brings us the redemption (funny, that's the title of
the album). 3 out of 5
Geula March (From 770) - T.T.T.O. Australian Niggun- "770", yup you
figured it out, the album is Lubavitch. Anyway this cheerful march
tells of Lubavitch's part in bringing Moshiach very soon. Their
tireless shluchim get credit in the song here. The music is done by a
60 piece symphony orchestra who did an unreal job on the song, violin still rocks.
5 out of 5
Overview: The album is definitely a top class camp album. You don't
see too many of these so often, so if you enjoy other camp albums you'll
love this. The themes all transmit more or less the same basic
message: Redemption is coming soon!! Overall score: 8 out of 10
'REDEMPTION' : A unique compilation of inspirational camp songs about Moshiach and Guela.
Reviewed by Efraim Weinfeld for TheCoolJew.com
Caution: This is not a completely original album per say, meaning that most of
the 13 songs, all with English lyrics, are “T.T.T.O” (that's camp language
for using the tune of an existing song with their own lyrics). Meyer Rivkin, the
producer and singer, is not new to the music scene as he already has two CD's
('Expressions of the Soul' – Niggunei HaRebbe and 'Shliach Tzibur' – Learn To Lead)
and two music videos ('It Happened Yom Kippur' and 'The Promise') to his credit.
In this album his young son Mendel sings with him on many on the songs.
Now onto the actual album. It's a nice compilation of camp songs from
Gan Yisrael, professionally recorded with music mostly done by electric
piano and other instruments, with the exception of the last song which was
done by a 60 piece symphony orchestra. The songs were mainly arranged by
Eitan Kantor and Zalman Goldstien, who both did a phenomenal job.
Like I said before this isn't a run of the mill album but I'll go through every
song anyway.
Listen My Child - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Kel Adon - Well, it is
officially a Carlebach composition but they somewhat embellished the song
so that even Shlomo himself would perhaps find it hard to recognize. The song
gets off to a Mediterranean beat then moves into the tune we all hold dear. The
lyrics speak for themselves: Don't worry, be happy. Can't really go wrong
with that. 4 out of 5
A Voice In The Forest - Composed by the Shpoler Zeideh (Rebbe) - the song is a
generic slow song, but sung with so much feeling. The song has a lot
of meaning behind the words, expressing that Hashem is in search of a Yid
and a Yid is in search of Hashem. The Ribonoy Shel Olom removes the
“guards” He himself placed to allow his His children to return even if they
have at first strayed. The song is comparing us to children who are lost,
one day to be found. The boy (Mayer Rivkin's son, Mendel) who sings in
middle of the song has a beautiful voice and adds a lot to the concept of the
song as a whole. 4 out of 5
The Task Of Moshiach's Dor - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Ki Heim
Chayeinu - The song has a more Klemzer feel to it, not always a bad
thing, as is clear from this song. They left the Carlebachness in this
song, always nice. Again the words are basically conveying the message
that we must all realize that the "Yimei Moshiach" are upon us and we
must love our brothers in order to end our suffering. Pretty good
song. 5 out of 5
Every Jew Possesses - T.T.T.O. Niggun Simcha - Nichoach #4 - I'll be
honest, I've never heard the original niggun before but I like it
anyway. It's a very somber tune that speaks straight from the heart.
The song tells you in essence how to love every Jew, good move
considering that's what the last song told us to do. The boy soloist
Mendel Rivkin from before, pops in again with some sweet singing.
Nice. 3 out of 5
Rebbe We Need You – (not a camp song) Composed by Chana Motchkin.
Wow! The song simply sweeps you away on it's melodious wings.
The high part is what really makes the song in my opinion. The song reminds
us of the losses of our Tzaddikim who passed on (you don't have to be Lubavitch,
Litvish Tzaddikim were niftar also). 3 out of 5
To Love A Fellow Jew - Another Gan Yisrael original. This song begins
sounding like a 50 piece orchestra then comes the young soloist Mendel Rivkin again,
setting the tone for the rest of the song. If you couldn't tell yet we
are pretty into loving our brothers no matter how strange they may
look or talk. The song is a bit tuneless but still gets the idea through.
5 out of 5
Shabbos (Mikolos Mayim) - T.T.T.O. Shlomo Carlebach's Mikolos Mayim
Rabim- Whew! Another Carlebach, eh? I think I heard these lyrics for
the song before and guess what? I still love them. The song itself is
a story on it's own but these words add so much more to the song. Nine
minutes is a bit long but this song deserves it, hats off to this one.
5 out of 5
A Young Boy Holds - T.T.T.O. Keili Atah, originally composed by the
Alter Rebbe - I'm impressed that they managed to get words with the song
that make it sound as if that's how the Rebbe originally composed it
with. The song is the story of every child's yearning for the geulah
to come Bemehairah Biyamainu. Mayer Rivkin, who is also singing the harmony
with his son, shows his feelings that is also in every Yid. Heartwarming to say the
least. 4 out of 5
Golus, Confused And Upset - T.T.T.O. Niggun Karlin- We Need Moshiach!!
Enough said. 4 ot of 5
Wake Up Yidden - Composed in Camp Gan Yisrael - You've got to love the
happy-go-lucky marching tune! I loved the violin sound at 1:10, gives
the song a more thematic sound to it. The song gives an idea of what
is to come, hopefully soon. I'll march to that! 5 out of 5
It Happened Yom Kippur - T.T.T.O. At The Foot Of The Kosel,
originally sung and composed by J.E.P. (the first album) - I love how
they completely changed the intro for the song by throwing in the
violin sound (if you couldn't tell yet, I like violin). The song
reminds us of the troubles constantly plaguing our Holy Land. The song
speaks of the faith of a soldier on his way to the war on Yom Kippur.
May this song remind us to stay strong through all our troubles. Loved
the arrangements on this song. 5 out of 5
Oh Why, We Jews All Cry - T.T.T.O. Kotel Maaravi- Again the boy
vocalist Mendel Rivkin takes away your breath as soon as you hear him. And again it
tells the tale of every Jews wish to bring Moshiach and end our
suffering. The song keeps its sad slow tune till the end when it
changes into a completely different song speaking of the pure joy we
will feel when He brings us the redemption (funny, that's the title of
the album). 3 out of 5
Geula March (From 770) - T.T.T.O. Australian Niggun- "770", yup you
figured it out, the album is Lubavitch. Anyway this cheerful march
tells of Lubavitch's part in bringing Moshiach very soon. Their
tireless shluchim get credit in the song here. The music is done by a
60 piece symphony orchestra who did an unreal job on the song, violin still rocks.
5 out of 5
Overview: The album is definitely a top class camp album. You don't
see too many of these so often, so if you enjoy other camp albums you'll
love this. The themes all transmit more or less the same basic
message: Redemption is coming soon!! Overall score: 8 out of 10
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most of the camp songs were already produced on the wake up yidden album of gan yisroel montreal...that's were he got the songs from...give credit were credit is due. wake up yidden was song by the choir that afterwords became tzlil vizemer.
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