Record Reviews

GIDI GOV ~ MANNERS HED ARZI 15178 (Barcode: 7293372517822) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1986 - 1987 Released: 1987 4th album by Israeli singer Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, one of the icons of Israeli music since the 1970s, which marks a change in his musical direction towards Rock, as opposed to his early lyrical, Jazz oriented material created in cooperation with Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist. Almost all the songs on this album were composed by another Israeli musical icon, Yehuda PolikerFind albums by this artist, with lyrics supplied by the best local lyricists like Eli MoharFind albums by this artist and Meir ArielFind albums by this artist. Gov´s vocal style changes significantly, with emphasis on the husky Rock intonation and his interpretations of the songs are absolutely brilliant. Accompanied by some of the best Rock players on the scene at the time, guitarist Erez NetzFind albums by this artist, bassist Ehud IngerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Moshe LeviFind albums by this artist and drummer Jean Paul ZimbarisFind albums by this artist, the album remains as one of the best Israeli Rock recordings of all times. An absolute classic!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GIDI GOV ~ MOON DANCE HED ARZI 64343 (Barcode: 7293372434396) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 6th album. With a career stretching over more than thirty years Gidi GovFind albums by this artist is today a mythical figure on the local Israeli music scene. Since his early days as the lead singer of the legendary group KaveretFind albums by this artist and up to date he maintained an unprecedented and uncompromising standard of musical excellence, refusing to participate in any sort of trendy escapades. His unique and very personal way of singing can be compared to the great American and European performers like Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, Tom WaitsFind albums by this artist, Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist and many others, all of whom posses not only a remarkable voice but also a deep understanding of music and a high level of emotional involvement with it. Although Gov usually performs material written specifically for him (in most cases by his friends Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist), for this special project he collected a string of classic international vocal standards (and some Israeli evergreens from his past), which were beautifully translated into Hebrew by Eli Mohar and exquisitely arranged by Adi RenertFind albums by this artist (one of Israel’s great jazz musicians and arrangers). The ensemble accompanying Gov includes the creme de la creme of the Israeli jazz players and the entire album is beautifully recorded and produced (IMO this is the best ever production in this country). The choice of material might have easily resulted in some tackiness, but Gov’s incredible talent to interpret tacky material (like Armstrong’s “It’s A Wonderful World”) with enough twist to make it interesting works like a charm. His interpretation of Van Morrison’s “Moondance” is simply divine and the rest of the material is equally excellent. Age seems to be smiling upon Gov as the experience and seasoning turned him into a world-class performer by any standard. I absolutely adore every minute of this great album and urge everybody with sensitive ears to give it a try.

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

YONI RECHTER ~ INTENTIONS HED ARZI 14810 (Barcode: 7293372481024) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 1989 1st album by Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist. After KaveretFind albums by this artist disbanded, Rechter developed his solo career as a composer, arranger and performer (in Kaveret there was no space left for his compositions, since Danny SandersonFind albums by this artist - who was immensly prolific - wrote most of the band`s songs). His love for jazz and classical music and his deep knowledge and amazing talent soon established him as the best Israeli composer of the young generation. On this debut album he established his life-long partnership with Eli MoharFind albums by this artist, a wonderful lyricist and a great musician. The material is wonderful all through - beautiful, well crafted and superbly performed. A classic.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

YONI RECHTER ~ ORIGINAL ALBUMS HED ARZI 7294276650363 (Barcode: 7294276650363) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 - 2002 Released: 2013 This is a Box Set collection of four original albums by Israeli composer / keyboardist / singer Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, the most important figure on the popular music scene in the country. The albums are: "Legend In The SandsFind albums with this title" released in 1980 (and released here on CD for the first time), "Round About NowFind albums with this title" released in 1992, "Thoughts And PossibilitiesFind albums with this title" (with Eli MoharFind albums by this artist) released in 1995 and "Another StoryFind albums with this title" released in 2002. The fact that all these albums are not available on the market since quite a while is a travesty and this is a most welcome gesture to make them available again at a very reasonable price. "Legend In The Sands" is a ballet suite composed by Rechter for the Israeli Inbal Ballet Company. It is mostly instrumental, but includes also a few songs. The album was recorded at the same period when Rechter was recording his debut album "Intentions" and was released almost simultaneously with the debut, gaining no attention whatsoever at the time and disappearing in the deletion bins soon after. The music is an early example of Rechter´s ability to compose stylistically diverse music for different settings, beyond the Pop market. "Round About Now" is an instrumental album (with one exception), which presents eight original compositions by Rechter performed by a wonderful ensemble comprising of the top Israeli Jazz players at the time: saxophonist Guri AgmnonFind albums by this artist, flautist Ilan SalemFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Adi RennertFind albums by this artist, bassist Alon NadelFind albums by this artist and drummers Israel NachumFind albums by this artist, Eitan ItzkowitchFind albums by this artist and Yuval ShafrirFind albums by this artist. This is Rechter´s most Jazzy album ever and an absolute gem. For this reissue it was expanded with three bonus tracks recorded live in 2008 of similar instrumental material. "Thoughts And Possibilities" and "Another Story" are reviewed separately on my site. Overall this is a goldmine of absolutely brilliant music, which is an excellent example of what intelligent contemporary music should be like. Rechter´s role as a leader and pioneer of the Israeli music scene is invaluable and he deserves out deep appreciation and praise for his extraordinary achievements. Hopefully we´ll have the pleasure to enjoy many more of his works in the future.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

YONI RECHTER / ELI MOHAR ~ EYE LEVEL HELICON 94103 (Barcode: 7293627410328) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1986 Released: 1990 Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist are responsible for some of the best music ever made in Israel, as performed by them and many other Israeli artists. This album started as the second solo album by Yoni, but ended up as a joint effort. Some of the best Israeli musicians play on this album with them. Hebrew vocals.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

YONI RECHTER / ELI MOHAR ~ THOUGHTS AND POSSIBILITIES HED ARZI 15690 (Barcode: 7293372569029) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 2nd album sharing the names of these two Israeli music makers (Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist - composer and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist – lyricist), but in fact they have been life-long friends and co-writers of hundreds of songs recorded by all top Israeli artists, including Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist and many more. Rechter is a superb composer and his unique lyricism and skill to craft touching and memorable melodies make him the most important Israeli songwriter in the last decades. Mohar, a romantic poet and publicist, wrote some of the most touching and beautiful song lyrics ever written in the Hebrew language (of course the non-Hebrew speaking people are unfortunately unable to enjoy and appreciate those). Together they are simply unbeatable – every song is a pearl and an everlasting addition to their songbook. As if all this is not enough, this album has a bonus value: Rechter and Mohar invited all the top Israeli singers to be guest vocalist and they are featured on some of the songs. The list includes Gidi Gov, Danny SandersonFind albums by this artist, Ephraim ShamirFind albums by this artist, Alon OleartchikFind albums by this artist (all four were members of the legendary KaveretFind albums by this artist group with Rechter), Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist, Arik Einstein and others – a true who’s who of the Israeli music scene. This is an important album for the local music scene, one that will remain fresh for many years to come. Side note: Eli Mohar died of cancer a week before these lines were written. His amazing talent was always an inspiration for me and his memory will be treasured as long as I live.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend