Dovid Gaby: Music Video "Ani Ani"

This latest release by Dovid Gabay is a music video that was produced, composed, and performed by the campers and staff of Camp Mogen Avraham with Dovid Gabay. In a sense it seems to be an advertisement for Mogen Av which is a bit different (considering camps like Mogen Av typically don't do this kind of marketing).

 

New Jewish Music Video: Dovid Gabay

This is a new song featuring Dovid Gabay singing "Ana Avda" on a new album by Sheya Mendlowtiz entitled " Alter Heim". The video is certain to be entertaining especially for kids. Watch it and find out why....

 

Dovid Gabay: Free Ringtones Available

Enjoy these short clips from Dovid Gabay's new CD. The MP3 versions are for all Blackberry & Android phones. The M4R files are for all iPhones.

Eretz Yisroel  (MP3)  (iTunes)

B'Simcha Tomid   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Adon Olam (MP3)  (iTunes)

Ha'aderet Veha'emunah   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Bein Ha'Ulam   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Berum Olam Intro   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Berum Olam   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Raza D'Shabbos   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Mi Sheberach   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Vehu Yishlach   (MP3)  (iTunes)

Yom Zeh Mechubad    (MP3)  (iTunes)

Veyizku    (MP3)  (iTunes)

Jewish Album Review: Dovid Gabay: Eretz Yisroel

Here is my in-depth review of Dovid Gabay's most recent release: Eretz Yisroel.

Eretz Yisroel

Rating: 9

The title song is composed by the famous Elimelech Blumstein and it’s arranged by Moshe Roth. I guess you would categorize it as a rock/disco style and it features Yonatan Porat on guitar as opposed to   Avi Singolda. The song is extremely catchy and you will be able to remember it in seconds. I like the drive on this song as it really gets things going. The different chord changes for the first and second  time around the song  keeps things interesting. There are some nice chord progressions and background child and adult choir here. Dovid is much looser vocally on this album and it shows on this song. Bottom  line:this song is one you will have on repeat.

B’simcha

Rating: 9 ½

Composed and arranged by Pinny Ostriecher. The first thing you will notice about this song is the funk intro. It is certainly not typical of most Jewish music songs. The tune seems to move from the intro into a steady rock groove and then into a funk/disco beat.  This song has lyrics in four languages: Hebrew, English, Yiddish and French which is  a nice touch. The arrangements are very solid and the saxophones are brought to you by Peter Wertheimer. I found this song to be very enjoyable  and is certainly not your run-of-the-mill filler tune. It is sure to have you dancing.

Adon Olam

Rating: 10

Composed by Boruch Levine and is arranged by Yisroel Lamm. Boruch Levine is on a real streak as this song is a real winner! This will certainly be played over many a time at a wedding. There are some fabulous chord changes that are sure to make your hair stand on edge and move you.

Haderes V”haemunah

Rating: 8

Composed by Elie Schwab  and arranged by Ami Cohen. It’s very interesting to hear a real serious Sephardic song written by an Ashkenazi (no doubt Ami helped with that too).  I enjoyed Avi Avidani and his drumming  and Gabay singing at the end over the choir is a real nice touch.

Bain Ha’olam

Rating: 7 

Composed by R” Noach Palay and arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler. This is the second ballad on the album. This one was written in a minor key and is a bit more typical in that regard. It is certainly a nice song and probably will be played at weddings. It’s not as unusual as Adon Olam and may not grab your attention quite as much. Nice saxophone playing by Shloime Cohen on this tune. Dovid brings the key up a notch toward the end which I enjoyed, as the intensity of it brings a nice melodramatic ending to the song.

Boruch Olam

Rating: 8 ½

The only other song composed by Elimelech Blumstein on this album and arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler. This moderate rock tune has a real nice vibe to it and just before you thought you would never hear those bag pipes again, (Legabay from the first album) they dust them off to play this intro for you. Uri Miles is your bagpiper (is that even a word?) and you will find yourself humming this song real soon. Yet another catchy tune that has the bass player, Ari Volnitz moving and grooving. I like the doubling of Dovid’s voice in the beginning of this song. They did a very good job of keeping more of that Irish ethnicity by adding Irish drums played by Moishe Yankovsky. Choir was arranged by Mosher Roth and performed very well on this tune.

Raza D’Shabbos

Rating: 9

This ballad was composed Moshe Werzberger and is arranged Hershkowitz. This ballad has some nice chord changes and accents that are pleasantly surprising and keep this song interesting.  This is yet another ballad I would love to perform at a wedding or shabbos table. Once again Shloime cohen plays some fantastic saxophone solos here. Extra note: Ozer Babad is credited with introducing the songs author to Dovid Gabay.

Mi Sheberach

Rating: 9

Composed by Yitzy Waldner and arranged by Mendy Hershkowitz. This disco starts off with Dovid actually making a Mi Sheberach which is interesting.  This song seems to have an element of the song of numah numah in it and has a great beat and vocal style.

V’hu Yishlach

Rating: 9

This rock tune is composed by Yaakov Ben Shabbat and arranged by Moshe Roth. It is a more intensely  styled song than the others.  I enjoy the heavy hitting and drive of this song as well as the bridges written by Moshe. When the choir sings it’s very tight and solid with Moshe Roth at the helm.

Yom Zeh Mechubad

Rating: 8 ½

This waltz composed by Yossi Green and arranged by Yisroel Lamm is what I refer to as retro.It does have some components that are certainly more contemporary. It is very pleasant and has an airy feel to it. The refrain of the song is styled like the zemiros of old and will certainly be appreciated by those who are familiar with this.

V’yizku

Rating: 7 ½

Composed by Eli Laufer and arranged Moshe Roth. This is the only frielach featured on Dovid’s album.It has a nice choir intro and the song is solid but nothing really stands out about it otherwise (unless you count the clarinet playing by Chaim Kirschenbaum).

To hear previews and purchase this album click below


Eretz Yisroel

Here is a cute video with Dovid Gabay and composer Elimelech Blumstein discuss Gabay's upcoming album: Eretz Yisroel. What do you think? Elimelech only contributes 2 songs for this upcoming album as opposed to 5 in the last. I always found it interesting that such a great composer is not a musician of any sort. Enjoy!

Dovid Gabay: New Album on the Way!

Dovid Gabay's highly anticipated third CD is set be released in time for Shabbos Nachamu weekend. The album, titled Eretz Yisroel, features songs by some of the hottest names in Jewish music as well as compositions from exciting new song writers, including Yossi Green, Baruch Levine, Yitzy Waldner, Elimelech Blumstein,Eli Laufer, Noach Palai, Pinny Ostreicher, Elie Schwab and Moishe Wertzberger. Arrangements for Eretz Yisroel were also done by a dazzling mix of both old and new talent including Yisroel Lamm, Leib Yaakov Rigler, Mendy Hershokowitz (Freilach Band), Pinny Ostreicher, Moshe Roth and Ami Cohen.

Featuring eleven all new tracks, this album will feature some all new musical styles for Gabay, with some exciting out of the box surprises as well. The CD will also include the hit song Bein Ha'ulam, from last winter's Kumzing CD/DVD, re-recorded with full orchestral arrangements.Expect to see much more news about this long awaited album in the coming weeks. To stay on top of all the exciting developments, join the Gabay News Twitter feed and add Dovid Gabay to your Facebook friends.Meanwhile, for a sneak peek at all the action taking place in Brooklyn's Spectrasonic Studios, check out these exclusive photos from Boruch Ezagui, taken during a recent vocal session.

Dovid Gabay: Hard at work on Album #3

As you can see here Dovid Gabay is working toward his 3rd album with Yossi Green. I have to say that Yossi has really been stepping things up and has been coming up with some really great material. It should be interesting to see how this album shapes up now that Gabay is no longer working with Avi Newmark. I'm not sure who is producing this one but time will tell.

Dovid Gabay Video: Jewish Wedding In Israel

Dovid Gabay @ Bet Kneset Hagadol (Yerushalaim)

There is some distortion on the sound but it's still fun to watch and listen to.

Jewish Music Review: Hu Levado Hamenagnim Orchestra

I had heard about this new release produced by Shalom Wagshal with arrangements Moshe Roth and was looking to get my hands on it. The album is in the wedding genre and features a medley of songs each on a separate track which I really liked. The album features an interesting mix of songs both new and old. It also features 3 original songs sung by Gideon Levine, Dovid Gabay and Mordechai Ben David. I enjoyed the title track song the most of the three and I think Gabay did an excellent job vocally. Mordechai Ben David also surprises you with nice high notes that he sings well. MBD's vocals remind you of his younger years on the ballad Malachei Rachamim and he seems to have found a better vocal technique. The eastern medley features a guest vocalist -Meidad Tassa who I'm assuming is the child vocalist who has fantastic control. I'm not familiar with every tune but I found the album to be well produced and recorded. The vocalists did a nice job both vocally and harmonically and I didn't feel anything was overproduced in any way. The last track features a thank you to all involved and is a nice touch. There is also a bonus video track on the cd that can be viewed on your computer as well.

Here are some preview clips.

Jewish Music Interviews: On The Street....Danny Flam

I had the recent pleasure of bumping into a well known name in the Jewish music business: Danny Flam. If you have ever looked at the inside cover a Jewish music album chances are you have seen his name in the brass section credits. Danny is one of the most talented brass players on the JM scene in that he also plays a variety of brass instruments: Trombone (his first and best), trumpet, French horn just to name a few. Many have used his music talent to record and arrange the entire brass section for their albums (something he rarely gets credit for). His name has been getting some more attention due to credits on Dovid Gabay's latest hot release, Omar Dovid as well as others. After speaking with Danny at some length he has agreed to do an in-depth interview and I look forward to sharing it with you. If you have any particular questions feel free to make them known in the comment section. Stay Tuned...

Free Jewish Sheet Music: Dovid Gabay: Omar Dovid

If you liked Dovid Gabay's latest release, Omar Dovid as I and others have, his sheet music is now available for free. Here is a sample:

Behind the Scenes: Dovid Gabay: The Letter

Thanks to Sameach Music you can see the work behind the recording of "The Letter" by Dovid Gabay from his latest release: Omar Dovid. This is like having a backstage pass to the music studio. Enjoy...

Dovid Gabay: Omar Dovid Review

Avi Newmark really hit this album out of the park. Dovid Gabay's latest release, Omar Dovid is fantastic and truly eclipses his first. Songs are arranged by Danny Flam, Yaakov Leib Rigler, Yontan Razel, Yisroel Lamm, Avrumi G. and even Gabay himself. Songs are written by Yossi Green, Yitzi Waldner, Danny Flam, Elimelech Blumenstien and Gabay.

Hagomel by Yossi Green:

The song intro is a techno of sorts and goes into a disco/hora feel.In an attempt to make it sound a bit more edgy they added a strong synth.This is certainly a catchy song and can get you up dancing fast. I really enjoyed the back up vocals which are simple but very well placed. You can really hear the rythm guitar ( by Avi Singolda) and it's mixed very well.

Rating 9/10

V'koreiv By Baruch Levine

This follow up song is a straight up disco.I was not blown away with Yisroel Lamm here, the tune lacks a bit of punch and creativity. Lamm attempts to spruce things up by throwing in some breaks.

Rating 7/10

Birchos Avicha By Elimelech Blumenstien

My hats off to Elimelech! This is a true gem of a ballad and should be the next big hit at weddings. I love the guitars on this song: so tasteful and creative. The violins and the child solist (Yosef Schick) along with Danny Flam's brass arrangements help frame this song into a true masterpiece.Yontan Razel also did a heck of job arranging this.

Rating 10/10

Yimloch By Elimelech Blumenstien

This Middle Eastern Hora is catchy but not quite groundbreaking. It has a nice break in the middle which really makes the song.

Rating 7/10

Omar Dovid By Elimelech Blumenstien

This song was branded as a modern day Tanya. These songs are not easy to write and this song falls a bit short of Tanya but still has many redeeming qualities. Gabay's voice sounds a bit thin for this chazzan style niggun but he sings it nicely especially on the high notes. The song transitions into a hora/disco and back into the cantorial style piece. Gabay sounds more at home with the faster part of this song.

Rating 8/10

Don Don By Elimelech Blumenstien

I really enjoy this intro which starts with a great rock beat with electric guitars and gives way to sax and horns with some violin for good measure.This song is very well produced. This song has a really solid rythm section and they truly play "in the pocket" here. There is a nice violin solo which is a bit different and adds a nice dimension.I'm not sure if this is the next "chazak" but it's a really great tune.

Rating 9/10

Rachem By Avi Kula

Another ballad which is not the most memorable but pleasant enough and probably too long.

Rating 6/10

Zaroh By Yitzy Waldner

I enjoyed this intro very much:it starts off with horns but moves to guitars and organ.The song starts with the shira chadasha boys choir which works well with the meaning of the song and they sound great. This disco/hora has has some really good organ licks and Lieb Yaakov Rigler did a fantastic job on this arrangement.

Rating 9/10

The Letter By Yitzy Waldner (lyrics by Ida Appel)

The tune is certainly nice but the lyrics are certainly typical of Jewish music (a bit corny?). Certainly the girls will be singing this at camps and such and perhaps that's the demographic they were looking for.Rigler does another good job on the arrangements.

Rating 7/10

Tana By Elimelech Blumenstien

I really enjoyed this hip techno tune and it caught on real fast for me. Ian Frietor did a nice job sequencing this song and it's not over the top which I really appreciate. Gabay sings more freely and explores things vocally which I enjoyed.

Rating 9/10

Nagilah By Danny Flam, Yitzy Waldner, Dovid Gabay.

If you are looking for a very authentic sephardic hora to dance to, you found it right here folks. Danny Flam was very instrumental in giving this song it's real sephardic taste and it couldn't have been done any better. When was the last time you heard an authentic darbuka recorded? Another big hit for the wedding scene!

Rating 10/10

Bottom Line: This is one of the better albums to hit the Jewish Music scene in a long time and it doesn't dissapoint. It is mixed and produced very well and has a bunch of great songs that potentially can be big hits. Certainly this album will push Gabay into the front and center of the Jewish Music scene and perhaps he will take the number one spot very shortly. Gabay is showing how he has grown vocally and certainly took more chances than previously recorded. The album is already in a second printing phase and looks to be one of the best selling album in quite a while.

Dovid Gabay is Online....

Well he finally did it. Dovid Gabay is officially online at DovidGabay.net. All I can say is it's about time. His album will be in stores any day now. My question is: what happened to DovidGabay.com? Why must he settle for the ".net"? Does someone already own that website? Do I smell extortion (distortion)? Speaking of Dovid's, whatever happened to Dovid Stein's release his website is up but the music is still not available.

Dovid Gabay, The 8th Note and Yossi Green

As I mentioned earlier, Dovid Gabay has a new release on the way: Omar Dovid. One of the songs on this new release is entitled "hagomel" and is composed by Yossi Green. Yossi Green is also releasing his own creation namely "the 8th note" and both albums are reported to be available in stores within 3-4 weeks. If you haven't heard the sneak peek of Gabay's new hit song "hagomel" or the 8th note's "Layudim" you can download it here on the Sameach Music Podcast. I liked hagomel a lot, although I didn't like the mix on the synth they used: it sounded a bit brash (distortion) but perhaps that's the vibe they were looking for. Yossi Green has shown that with both Hagomel and even more so perhaps with Layihudim he is looking to move his songwriting in a different direction and reinvent himself. This may offend some of the very yeshivish types who will most likely say it's too "goyish" but something has to be done here. Jewish music can't forever stay in the 70's and 80's. Kudos to Yossi Green.

Introducing: Dovid Gabay: Omar Dovid!

Here is the cover for Dovid Gaby's 2nd release entitled Omar Dovid. A music sampler will be out next week via sameach music. The album should be available in stores within a few weeks or months depending on who you ask. Seriously now, this album should eclipse the first so chances are if you liked his debut release, you'll love Omar Dovid. Songs were written by the big names in the biz such as Yossi Green, Yitzi Waldner and the title song by Elimelech Blumstein. Arrangements are done by Danny Flam,Leib Yaakov Rigler, Yisroel Lamm, Avremi Gourarie, Ian Freitor and Yonatan Razel.

Hasc #20 Presents: Dovid Gabay Video!

Brought to you by our friends at Sameach Music:HASC 20 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - Dovid Gabay!

Jewish Music: Introducing "2ND DANCE" Release!

Yitzy Schwartz is one of the hottest Jewish Music producers right now. This latest release offers a pretty impressive list of Jewish Music Talent (as well as up and coming). As per the JE Magazine the vocalists include:Dovid Gabay, Yishai Lapidot, Yisroel Williger, Michoel Schnitzler, Shlomo Simcha, Eli Levine, Pruz, Mendy Wald, Yosef Chiam Shwekey (Yaakov's younger brother), Ieshula Ishakes, Yoily Greenfeld, Yackov Young, Mendy Werzberger, Shira Choir. The album features a mixture of new and classic tunes for you to enjoy. (HT BloginDM)

Hasc #20: Now Available...

Hasc # 20 CD and DVD is now available for purchase online and will be available in stores this afternoon and across the USA by Sun.To hear a preview click here. The Hasc CD/ DVD Giveaway ends Nov. 12th!

FREE HASC DVD GIVEAWAY

Sameach Music in conjunction with Jewish Blogmeister is giving away a FREE Hasc #20 CD. Here is how you win: Put your email address and your favorite Hasc moment, year or artist. The lucky winner will have a choice between the Double DVD or Double CD. To see a sample of what you could win click here. You can download an 8 min audio preview by clicking here.