Yaakov Shwekey and Yosef Chaim Shwekey

Check out how similar the 2 Shwekey brothers at Mahnishma. It's a riot!

It's Time for Vacation!

I've been dreaming of taking the whole family for a nice extended vacation somewhere. I thought about taking the kids to Florida and maybe try the whole Disney World deal. As opposed to a hotel I'm considering just taking a vacation rental in Florida perhaps Ft. Lauderdale or maybe Orlando. In my opinion, vacation rentals seem to make a lot more sense than hotels and sometimes can be much more affordable. For starters you can have your own poolat a hotel that's generally not an option you'll have and this mean mixed swimming does not become an issue. I also find hotels to be a lot noisier and annoying than actually renting a vacation property where things tend be more quiet ( although that may depend on the area in question with a vacation rental )with less roudiness and no elevators to deal with. Rentals also tend to have more amenties for the money such as stove and refigerators. You can have a suite at a hotel but for the price you are probably better off with a vaction rental property. Have you ever tried a vacation rental? I'm curious to know what your experience might have been. Please share.

Saving Money on Your Move

I found a new exciting website that will certainly save you a lot of money if you ever have the need to hire Movers or a moving company. The name of this company is Hireahelper.com, it is an Internet-based service provider that connects day laborers with people who need to get work done such as moving. Launched in June 2007 HireAHelper.com has drawn over 4,000 registered helpers across the United States. With sections for Moving Help, Landscaping Help, Cleaning Help, and General Help / Day Labor HireAHelper.com has you covered. HireAHelper.com is also the endorsed and sole moving labor provider for Realtor.com and Moving.com so you know it’s not some fly by night company. I wish I would have found this site when I made my move as I’m sure I could have saved a bundle of cash. How many times do you find yourself wishing you could find a better price on landscaping services, cleaning services or other labor help. I know quite a few people in my neighborhood myself included who have been paying quite a bit for services and now can find better prices through Hireahelper.com. In this economy we really need to save where we can and that means finding better prices for everything from food to the cost of labor. I think you'll find this website to be a very helpful tool in allowing you to do just that, save money. Feel free to pass along this website information to anyone who needs help with a move or a better prices on a landscaper and or other such labor. They'll thank you for it. Perhaps I’ll try and see if I can find a better deal on a cleaning lady and someone to do some work around my house there is no end to the amount of work that goes into a home….got to run enjoy.

Hasc #22 Video Sampler: Coming Soon

Here is the new Hasc 22 Video Sampler:

HASC is proud to present the 22nd Annual A Time for Music music celebration available on Double CD and DVD. This is a professional recording of last years amazing sold out show. Starring Yaakov Shwekey, Yehuda Green, Dovid Gabay, Baruch Levine and Chazzan Yitzhok Meir Helfgot. This concert also featured a special appearance by Abie Rotenberg with a brand new song. Mi Ke'amcha Yisroel. This CD/DVD will be in stores in the next 2 weeks.

Jewish Music Video: Lipa Schmeltzer Childhood Video

A great video featuring Lipa as child singing perhaps his first wedding with the Neginah orchestra. Notice Yehuda Spinner on sax fiddling with the sound system and what seems to be Ira Silber A"H on keys but I'm told it's actually Shimmy Braun of Neshoma Orchestra by Arkady.

Jewish Music Review: Benny Friedman: Taamu

Benny Friedman's debut is probably one of the most anticipated albums to ever be released in quite some time and it's a pleasure for me to review this album. Produced by Avi Newmark and distributed by Sameach Music.

1) Misod
Composed by Elimelech Blumstien
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This is strong disco/rock tune that's catchy and easy to lock onto and has a yeshivish edge to it.You have the signature Avi Singolda sound on the rhythm guitar and a great sax solo at 2:58 by Shlomie Cohen and of course great brass work by Daniel Flam and co.

Rating: 8

2) No Lyrics
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This niggun is not one your father sang in the shteeble. It features many updated concepts in comtemporary music today including programmed beats with hip hop style background vocals.As the song progresses they throw in some dramatic soundtrack style effects and drums.Interesting to listen to but it's not the best song on the album.

Rating: 7

3) U K'sheim
Composed by Yitzy Spinner
Arranged by Moshe Laufer

The piano ballad features soft but strong vocals by Benny and certainly his sound reminds you of his uncle Avraham but with a real twist that sets him apart. With nice chord progressions I really appreciated the bridges in this song. This is certainly a song one can play during the Chupa.

Rating: 8.5

4) Taamu
Composed by Shmuel & Bentzy Marcus
Arranged by Avremi G.

The title track starts with a very hip hora/disco I really enjoy the "A" part of this song. The song goes to a more straight ahead disco on part"B" and they throw in some Latin piano fills. I'm sure this song will get a lot of play time during the wedding circuit. I really enjoy the end of the song where he goes into an almost chazanos version of the melody.

Rating: 9

5) Hameracheim
Composed by Simche Friedman
Arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler

This ballad starts with a flourish of flute, strings and brass. Benny starts by singing and the flute answers with an echo harmony in general it's a very classicaly based arrangement to start and it is retro in style.

Rating: 7

6) Moshiach
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This song starts with a Latin style based arrangement that is geared for a hora style.The background vocals are really nice here as is the flute work.

Rating: 6.5

7) Kad Yasvun
Composed by Meshulam Greenberger
Arranged by Moshe Laufer

This is another great piano ballad and Mosher Roth does a really nice job with the choir here.Toward the end (6:23) Benny goes for some real high notes that show his extended range.

Rating: 7.5

8) Amar
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Mona Rosenblum

A Hora that grabs your attention from the first note that's played and keeps you dancing.This song will certainly grow on you.

Rating: 8.5

9) Yaavducha
Composed by Bentzy Marcus
Arranged by Avremi G.

Featuring 8th day in this country style tune features some fantatic harmonies and A Capella that you truly enjoy.

Rating: 9

10) Letova
Composed by Oreil Avraham
Arranged by Ian Freitor & Leib Yaakov Rigler
A song with a seemingly strange intro with a retro sound (moog synth?). This moderate rock song is a very solid creation and the major chord progressions give it a very happy sound.

Rating: 8.5

11) Botaich Ani
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler

A very contemporary styled ballad. Benny shows more of his soft side with falsetto on this tune.Featuring soprano sax and guitar overdubs with really nice background vocals.

Rating: 8

12)Emes
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

You can argue with me but in my opinion they left the best for last. This song really stands out in every way. From the bluesy hip hop hora style to lyrics and the diction to the solid rythm guitar to the great brass lines it all just comes together. I can't stop listening to this song and can play it till the cows come home and still not get bored of it.

Rating: 11 out of 10 (huh?)

Synopsis:

All in all a very strong debut album that lives up to the hype and Benny has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the Jewish Music business. He's got some great range with some serious pipes to boot. Kudos to the producer Avi Newmark who also brought you Dovid Gabay and certainly has an eye for talent! Avi had a major hand in putting this fantastic album together and his hard work has certainly paid off.I look forward to hearing more of Benny in the future as I'm sure you will too.

Here is the sampler trailer for Benny's Album. Enjoy!

New Kosher Products: Kosher Beef Jerky

If you never tried beef jerky, now you can thanks to beef jerky by Holy Cow!

As Per Kosher Today: Holy Cow! Has made a statement with its new kosher beef jerky. Through the company’s revolutionary production process, they have mastered the art of Jerky making. The result is truly fantastic flavor with a lean, tender finish - never brittle and dry. Moreover at Holy Cow! Kosher, they never use artificial ingredients, any trans fats or MSG. The jerky is kosher certified under the Orthodox Union and Kehilla Kosher. The beef jerky is available in original and teriyaki flavors.

If you have tried this kosher beef jerky, let us know what you think.

Becoming Kosher: Tootsie Rolls, Gatorade and more?

The most recent word is that Tootsie Rolls and Gatorade are becoming kosher under the supervision of the OU. I'm curious as to when Wrigley's would bear kosher supervision since there was a rumor floating around that they would turn kosher but it's been over a year since that news started to circulate and yet Wrigley's still bears no kosher supervision label. Evidently there is a company called "Intesley Different" that has been putting a lot of new kosher snacks on the market. They create and purchase franchise names to use on their labels i.e. TGIF mozzarella sticks, Bob's Texas style potato chips (you must try the jalapeno!) and more.

Yaakov Shwekey New Release:Ad Bli Dai

This video features new material from Yaakov Shwekey's latest release "Ad Bli Dai" thi song is entitled Veshochanti (nu nu).

Why Houston is Better Than NY...

Work has been pretty busy so I haven't posted for a bit. I'd thought about sharing some of the things I enjoy about living in Houston Texas and perhaps why it's better than NY (at least for me).

1) Lower cost of living: Housing is certainly more affordable and so is gasoline

2) Community: Where everybody knows your name: People invite you for shabbos meals etc.

3) Speeding and parking ticket ratio: the chances of getting either are greatly decreased thanks to
no quotas for either in the state

4) No state income tax

5) Politeness factor: Let's face it southerners tend to be more polite

6) No honking: few if anyone will honk at you if you don't speed away as soon as the light turns green.

These are just a few but there will be more to come...