Record Reviews

HIGH WINDOWS ~ HIGH WINDOWS (EXPANDED EDITION) HED ARZI 64748 (Barcode: 7293372474897) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2007 Only album by the Israeli vocal trio, which included Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist, Shmulik KrausFind albums by this artist and Josie KatzFind albums by this artist, and which is considered as the first original Israeli Pop album ever recorded. Strongly influenced by the BeatlesFind albums by this artist and other (then) contemporary Pop and Rock groups, the High WindowsFind albums by this artist recorded a superb set of songs in Hebrew (all written by Kraus), using vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements, which were completely revolutionary at the time. Israeli music up to that point was based mainly on East-European melodies and folksy approach and this was the first attempt to create a local scene modeled after Western Pop. The musical “establishment” at the time received this music with harsh criticism (The Beatles were not allowed to play in Israel to avoid the “bad” influence on local youth) and some of the songs were banned by the censor from being played on the radio. But the public loved the songs and the album soon became one of the most popular Israeli albums of all times. It had a crucial influence on the local scene and soon after an entire new generation of local musicians would start to create original Israeli Pop and Rock, including Progressive Rock. It is interesting to notice that the instrumental work and arrangements on this album were done by a brilliant piano player Ziggy SkarbnikFind albums by this artist, a legendary figure of the early days of both Israeli Rock and Jazz, who unfortunately died of cancer at an incredibly young age. The drummer was no other than Zohar LevyFind albums by this artist, another legendary figure. Listening to this album 40 years after it was recorded can be quite revealing and the realization of how brilliant this stuff was and still is becomes inevitable. A must! This expanded edition (marking the albums 40th anniversary) adds a whole second CD of bonus material, which is insanely rare and most of it never saw the light of day. These include live material recorded at the Paris Olympia hall, French and UK singles (in French and English) released in Europe, in short some of the rarest Israeli archival material.

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SHMULIK KRAUS ~ A CRIMINAL RECORD MIO 007 ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Israeli singer / songwriter Shmulik KrausFind albums by this artist is one of the founders of Israeli Pop / Rock. A member of the first legendary Israeli Pop group - The High WindowsFind albums by this artist - he wrote scores of tunes, many of which are considered as classics today. He still continues to write and record. This album was his second solo effort and was written entirely while Kraus was imprisoned after a drug related trial. Accompanied by some first rate musicians (like Haim RomanoFind albums by this artist - the guitarist of The ChurchillsFind albums by this artist and Aharon KaminskyFind albums by this artist - later of The PlatinaFind albums by this artist) he delivers a fiery set of songs which mix pop, rock and psychedelia. A piece of history!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend