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Volume 20, No. 6, #142 - click here

 
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 Cover Story:
     Neginasi: Music To My Ears
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December 2007 • Kislev 5768 Volume 20, No. 6, #142
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NEGINASI: MUSIC TO MY EARS

By Chaya Sara Schlussel

It seems like there's a new singer, bringing out a new CD, just about every week. Many listeners are starting to feel indifferent, blasé, about the latest albums out there - thinking they're all just 'same old, same old.' It used to be, if you wanted to listen to Jewish music, you turned on an MBD cassette tape. Today, there are literally dozens of singers, with thousands of songs on the playlist to choose from. So what could possibly make one more singer, one relative newcomer on the Jewish music scene, stand out from the crowd? To get people to listen, he either has to be blessed with an outstanding voice, or possessed of a dazzling mix of tracks. Well, Jewish music listeners, here, in one all-encompassing work of choral art, you have both combined! Get ready for a CD that is going to explode with exceptionality; invalidating any preconceptions you may currently have about greenhorns-at-the-microphone. This one is sure to make waves that will leave repercussions for decades. It's an album for the ages: a CD that combines the most sensational singing, with superb sound quality and astounding song selection. Trust me: I write about new CDs for a living, but this one stood head and shoulders above the crowd. It's a brand new album that features the masterful vocal artistry of Yosef Chaim Bloch, with the most apropos of titles, "Neginasi" - my song.

Actually, though this is the first time his voice will be stealing the limelight, this is not the first time we have heard the distinctive compositions of Yosef Chaim. His sometimes poignant, sometimes powerful renditions have been around for a long time. Yosef Chaim has been providing Jewish singers with top-of-the-charts tracks for over 10 years. There are more than fifty songs of his, played continuously, and with veneration, in thousands of Jewish residences worldwide. His creations are in high demand, throughout the JM spectrum. He made his mark on Shwekey's albums with the smash-hits "Hinei Yomim Boim," and "Raninu Tzaddikim," which were both recently re-recorded on the CD 'The New Project Relax.' Yaakov Shwekey told me of this multi-faceted singer, "I've known Yosef Chaim for many years as a neighbor and a friend. I've gained from his musical ability and talents on my own albums, with some beautiful songs that came directly from his heart. People are going to love it!" Other Y.C.B. classics we've come to love include "Shimu" by Yehuda! and "Havi Bonai" by Dovid Gabay. But, says Yosef Chaim, while having someone else sing your composition is both gratifying and rewarding, it can not quite compare to the feeling of fulfillment that comes from singing it alone. Nobody 'feels' the song, or brings the song to life, the way its composer does. No one can interpret and deliver its lyrics, quite the way its creator can. So, with the coaxing and encouragement of his voice trainer par excellence, Chazzan Avrom Aron Weingarten, Yosef Chaim set out to entertain and enrapture audiences with his own personal elucidation of his compositions. Chazzan Weingarten is the mastermind, the driving force, and the man-behind-the-scenes, who helped transform "Neginasi" from a budding vision to a blooming reality. He's been training talented singers for dozens of years, but when he worked with Yosef Chaim, he realized this particular singer's inherent potential. Chazzan Weingarten said, "There's something special that he (Yosef Chaim) has; a gift for reaching out to people, and igniting their spirits. Like Carlebach, only with today's brand of music."

All the JM stars came out in shining praise of "Neginasi," unanimously proclaiming their enthusiasm for its ascendancy and excellence. Avrumi Flamm had this to say about Yosef Chaim: "He holds a very great treasure; his very own soul-stirring compositions, which he sings so beautifully. I was one of the first to discover his talents. Now the whole world will get to hear what makes him stand way up there with the greatest artists of our time!" Avrumi isn't alone in his admiration of this jaw-dropping CD. One of the most famous, most recognized musicians in the JM industry actually broke down and cried, the first time he heard the title song, "Neginasi." It touched him to the core. Another acclaimed musician noted, "I've played on hundreds of records and albums over the past few years. I've heard countless melodies during that time, but when I leave the studio, I usually don't remember the songs at all. But somehow, I can't seem to get Yosef Chaim's rendition of "Vatomer Tzion" out of my head. It's just lodged in my brain, where it's taken up permanent residence." Eli Wax, perhaps the most popular one-man-band available today, is equally thrilled about this release. He told me, "Yosef Chaim's compositions and hartzige vocals sound refreshingly real. He has successfully produced the kinds of singable songs that will enhance any simchah. I can't wait to start playing them!" And there's more. Mendy Werdyger expressed his uninhibited excitement about this project. He anticipates that this will be the CD of the year! Then there's Joe Novoseller, the owner of Judaica Plaza in Lakewood. He sells more Jewish CDs than any other store in the tri-state area - and he was quick to point out: "An album like this doesn't come along very often. We can't wait to stock it on our shelves! It's different. It's unique. It's a real blockbuster in every sense of the word!"

Yosef Chaim has always loved music: any kind of music. He grew up listening to Avraham Fried and MBD, and would never go anywhere without his beloved sidekick: his walkman. He'd come home from school, and immediately put his headphones on. Consequently, music became a veritable part of his makeup. It spoke to his soul in a way that nothing else could. Each individual song relayed a different message; told a different story; and sparked a different emotion within him. He would marvel at the legendary talents of the musical masters of that time - such as MBD and Avraham Fried, drawing inspiration from the incomparable arrangements and lyrics he listened to. But though he revered and respected those singers and writers as gifted vocalists and composers, Yosef Chaim never dreamed he'd one day be following in their shadows; walking in his heroes' footsteps.

Yosef Chaim learned in the Yeshiva of Staten Island. He still remains very close to his roshei yeshivos to this day, and does everything with their complete haskama, eliciting their continuous succor and support.

Yosef Chaim began writing songs in the most miraculous way; with true hashgacha pratis. The way he tells it, one day, without any premeditation, a beautiful song composition began to echo in his mind. When he was learning a very meaningful saying, written by the Mesilas Yesharim, he was suddenly awestruck, and inspired. Those hauntingly beautiful words just reverberated with a melody, taking on a life of their own. He quickly recorded it, to preserve it for posterity. He couldn't believe that he'd just 'written' a song! This incident, more than any other, confirmed for Yosef Chaim the oft-repeated truism that 'music comes from the heart.' A captivating melody had sprung from the wellsprings of his neshoma. Unlike most compositions, which require listening to a beat sweating over a rhythm; laboring to produce a vocal creation, Yosef Chaim's compositions seem to come easily, almost-spontaneously, from a deeper part of his being. His tunes convey the import; the message of the songs; in an exceptional way. So began a career in songwriting for Yosef Chaim Bloch - a career that would bring him in touch with Jewish music superstars, and would catapult his compositions into the homes and hearts of thousands, across the globe.

The CD "Neginasi" was composed, directed, and partially arranged by Yosef Chaim himself. It is an awesome, irresistible amalgam of many different styles. Its title track is based on a posuk in tehillim, kapitel ayin zayin. This magnificent posuk is eloquently sung by Yosef Chaim, and will resonate with all who hear it. "Neginasi" holds infinite appeal for just about anyone. Its mind-boggling selection is made up of an incredible assortment: Middle-Eastern-flavored tracks, classic wedding hits, Israeli-style horas, Yeshivishe niggunim, chassidishe shtiklach, kumzitz-variety tearjerkers, and contemporary, techno-type pieces. Because he is moved and motivated by any and all kinds of music, Yosef Chaim's songs are exceedingly diverse. But "Neginasi" will undoubtedly bring out the music-lover in every Yid.

Here are some of my predictions: "Dovid Malka Meshicha" will be played and danced to at countless chasonos from now on. "Lulay Torascha" will be sung around campfires throughout the Catskills this summer, as well as in shuls and yeshivos each Shabbos. "Yiboneh" will garner rave reviews from the younger crowd. And my personal favorite - "Echod," which praises and glorifies Hashem in beat-bursting rhythm and rhyme - will blare through the speakers in my house for hours on end.

I guess the lesson that listeners will take away from this potent, prevailing masterpiece-of-an-album, is that vocals which stem from the heart, permeate the heart. No matter what form of Jewish music you're into, this top-notch, top-rated CD will unquestionably 'catch on' with you. Without meaning to, you'll be singing its tracks all through the day - they're simply infectious!

It is immediately obvious that a whole lot of effort, technical skill and wondrous talent went into the production of such a coup-de-gras. It is also evident that Yosef Chaim has a singular knack for 'speaking to people,' through the most appreciated, most treasured, most beloved art of song. Music is universal. It has the power and the passion to communicate and interconnect people on so many levels; breaching our differences, and bringing us together. "Neginasi" is a far cry from your typical, ho-hum album. When I listen to "Neginasi," each of its marvelous melodies becomes 'my song.'

Yosef Chaim Bloch is available to sing at your wedding, or any other special occasion! Give him a call, and bring your simcha to the next level in listening pleasure.
Phone: 908-910-3789
Email: YCBevents@gmail.com

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