Three Eras In Jewish Music: A Raw, Unfiltered Blast from the Past
Let’s cut straight to it—Three Eras In Jewish Music by Beth Abraham Youth Chorale isn’t your run-of-the-mill classical-folk mishmash. Released in 1975 on Amim Records and helmed by Cantor Jerome B. Kopmar (with Wayne Mitchell handling the knobs), this album slaps harder than you’d expect for something so niche. It’s like stepping into a time machine where tradition meets artistry, but without all the pretentious fluff.
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend every track blew my socks off—that’d be a lie. But two tracks stuck with me like glue: “Rom’mu Hashem (Folktune)” and “Hodu Lashem (Modzitz).” Let’s break ‘em down real quick.
First up, “Rom’mu Hashem.” This one hits different. The harmonies are tight, almost painfully so, like they rehearsed until their voices bled. There’s no frills or overproduction—it’s raw energy bottled up and unleashed. You can practically feel the sweat dripping off the choir as they belt out this folktune. And that melody? Damn near hypnotic. It’s simple yet layered enough to make you wanna rewind and hear it again. Honestly, it feels less like listening to music and more like being part of some ancient ritual. Wild stuff.
Then there’s “Hodu Lashem,” which is just...chef’s kiss. If Rom’mu Hashem punches you in the gut, this one wraps its arms around you. It’s got this slow build-up that sneaks up on ya, starting soft and swelling into this massive wave of sound. By the end, you’re either clutching your chest or throwing your hands in the air like you’re at some secret spiritual rave. It’s Modzitz through and through—emotional, soulful, and impossible to ignore.
The rest of the album has its moments too, don’t get me wrong. Tracks like “Montage Of Yiddish Songs” give you a taste of old-school vibes, while “Fugue: Chelki Adonai” flexes some serious baroque muscles. But let’s keep it real—not everything lands perfectly. Some songs drag a bit, and yeah, the production screams ‘70s DIY project. But hey, imperfections often make things memorable, right?
What really gets me about Three Eras In Jewish Music is how unapologetically itself it is. No pandering to trends, no trying to fit into anyone else’s box. Just pure, heartfelt expression rooted in centuries-old traditions. Listening to this feels like flipping through someone’s family photo album—you might not know everyone in the pictures, but you can still feel the love radiating off each page.
And here’s the kicker: despite its age, this album doesn’t feel dated. Sure, the tech’s a bit rough around the edges, but the heart? Timeless. Maybe that’s why it sticks with you long after the last note fades.
So, would I recommend it? Hell yeah—but only if you’re ready to dive headfirst into something that challenges you. Because trust me, this ain’t background music for sipping lattes. It’s an experience, plain and simple.
Oh, and one last thing: next time you’re feeling disconnected from the world, throw this on. Weird advice? Maybe. But sometimes weird works.
