Listening Pleasures

I’m listening to Bob Dylan’s ‘Forever Young’ right now & getting all misty. (it’s my b-dy)

do you like the song “you raise me up so i can stand on mountains….” My favorite.

I’d say start small. Like neutral songs like the above one i mentioned. And delete obscene artists such as raps etc-id list names if i didnt think the mods wld delete the post…

and then go full fledged jewsih-i ttly hear u thats its hard. Its a rly hard tranision.

I personally love older jewish music as it appeals to the heart and doesnt merely copy half way wardly the secular stuff which they cant imitate.

And no, a lot of times wen jews complete with the secular stuff its terrible if you can compare-so id say go to the REAL jewish ones once you feel ready to make the step.

Hey Basket of Radishes-

I too call myself a musicphile and have had a very hard time enjoying Jewish music and avoiding pop music that i love so much. Its very frustrating!! Its just an undeniable fact that secular music IS better. ok fine, its an opinion, but i cant see anyone denying it. that doesnt mean its wrong, right? i mean, maybe pork is delicous, and maybe drugs feel great- but still it IS wrong. Kol HaKavod for you for recognizing this challenge that many of us face. really- its difficult but well worth the struggle because the effect of non jewish music is very strong. music is a powerful tool.

So, over the years i have sought out and have been mostly satisfied with my findings, so here goes:

(Disclaimer: ok, i know that many of these artists use parodies, or mimic pop music but if you find it offensive in my opinion thats an indicater that this is not meant for you and please be open minded that for some people this really is keeping us from other sources and we’d rather not be attracted to this tone of music but can’t help it!)

Aryeh Kunstler: nice acoustic guitar sound, many people really enjoy him

Gershon Veroba: beautiful voice with great lyrics, i never tire of him

Zacharia Salsberg: you’ll be amazed when you hear this, not only is his voice amazing, his country music is soulfull and beautful

Zevi Kaufman: his song, Nafalti, i love

I also enjoy instrumental music, i find that as a great outlet

Voices from the heights: YU accapella group

Matisyahu: k, i dont love him either, but i do appreciate some of his stuff like; time of your song, jerusalem, we will walk, his beat box is good

Yitzchak Simcha: did an album called pardes, with great harmony, my fav song is Hallelu

Teknoy: you probably might enjoy

Six13: i dont like them cuz of there “way too accurate” paradies that dont sound different at all, but maybe for that reason you’ll like it

Oif Simchas: Israeli, great dance music

Moshav Band: classic, the latest album Misplaced is great high quality music, i dont think any earlier stuff is worth it

Lev Tahor: come on, who doesnt love eli shweibel?

Gad Elbaz: israeli, he does all genres, dont get put off

Emanuel Neuman: i have a few songs of his like the puzzle, Kanfei Nisharim, and E’ Lecha he has a great voice and the musics good

Benny Freidman: No Lyrics- love it!!

I hope that this has helped you, as it has helped me immensly. Im curious as to what others have to say on this! i know some really great Kol Isha too if someones interested

basket of radishes

You can go to mostlymusic.com and listen to samples from many different Jewish singers and of various genres of Jewish music. That should help you narrow down what you like.

I stopped listening to no Jewish music a few years back and I must tell you that although I no longer have a desire to listen, whenever I am in a non Jewish supermarket I find that I have a real struggle not to listen to the music. Once you get some things into your system its very hard to get them out.

But that said, I disagree with the modern Jewish thought process of the ultra religious who disavow all of the things that are “Secualar”.

Not all things secular; just those which have a negative impact on our neshamos.

This music that we have on our radio stations is truly a gift and I for one feel richer for the benefit of the listening pleasure.

One could make the same argument for cheeseburgers, that Mcdonalds is truly a gift, and I feel richer for the benefit of the culinary pleasure.

Try Carlebach, try Yosef Karduner, try any of the suggestions brought here, rather than the secular, morally debased stuff that plays on the radio today (unless you like classical music). By giving up the trash, you will be truly enriched.

basket of radishes, I like your taste in music. And believe me, I’ve tried to find Jewish composers that have the musical prowess and style of Rush and Genesis, but sadly, I haven’t succeeded. 99% of the music I listen to is non-Jewish, with the 1% being pretty much only songs by Abie Rotenberg. I happen to think he is a very talented composer.

Here’s the thing; My views on music are very different from most people’s, because I am a musician. I play the guitar, drums, and keyboard, and I pretty much listen to anything that I find takes talent on those instruments. That encompasses everything from Billy Joel to Opeth, Beethoven to B.B. King. And honestly, I haven’t found too many Jewish bands or composers that are nearly as good as these, which is why I mostly stick with the originals.

I actually have composed many songs on my own, partly due to the lack of musical ability in Jewish music, to make my mark, but most people wouldn’t really appreciate it. My songs are a mix of Soft Rock, Heavy Metal, and Jazz Fusion, and mostly instrumental. Perhaps I should put out a CD and see if it would sell…

I also can’t stand a lot of the newer Jewish music, since it stems from pop music of today’s age, which I find to be talentless, trashy, and repetitive.

Moshav, Diaspra

Basket

I second Kapusta on 8th day. You should also look into Israeli music there are many good religious Israeli artists like Chaim Yisroel,Ohad, Itzik Eshel, Gad Elbaz, Ben Snof, Meidad Tasa (I like his older stuff better)

you can test out many things for free on mostly music, or watch free clips on youtube (I am not recommending youtube but if you use it anyways you might as well use it for a good cause)

Maybe even try out matisyahu and the group akapella it may be for you.

Simcha Leiners; Rachel Mivaka Al Banehah about the Fogel Family in Itamar is emotional and moving

Mods, I don’t know how this got posted here but it was meant to be in the poetry section. Can you please move it?

i LOVE Jewish music much more than secular music.. true, secular music is catchy and can be very hard to get out of your head, but it’s all nonsense [or at least the stuff i used to listen to].. i enjoy Jewish, meaningful music soo much better! ..

i started by not getting into the new songs that were just coming out, and it used to be that every time someone said a word i started singing an “english” song. so once i controlled that, and stopped singing them, i finally stopped for good b”H.