mandess.com - My tourist guide to Israel » Music

White Night in Tel Aviv

Ilan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:46:31 +0000

Since being declared the White City by UNESCO in July 2003, Tel Aviv-Yafo city has been marking the honor in an annual one night fest offering special events (music, theater, dining, etc) for the benefit of the residents and visitors of Tel Aviv.

This year Ive been to a concert held at the CLIFF beach in north Tel Aviv. There were two shows: first was Shem-Tov Levi ensemble, and then Mati Caspi and Shlomo Gronich. I’ve heard and seen Shem-Tov Levi in the Eilat jazz festival, but I’ve never been to a Mati Caspi or Shlomo Gronich shows. The two shows started at 2:00 am and ended at about 5:30 am.

It was two shows that were excellent, in sound, light and place.

Bob Dylan concert, Israel 2011

Ilan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:18:57 +0000

My ticket! See videos at the bottom of this page

Bob Dylan , legendary American singer-songwriter performed in Israel on June 20. The concert was held at the Ramat Gan Stadium as part of Dylan’s world tour.

Dylan for me is one of the most important musicians and icons, in music and human rights activism as well. Just celebrated his 70th birthday in May, Dylan performed in Israel as part of a world tour, which has been launched in Asia (and caused controversies regarding his China concert) and will end in Denmark in late June.

This was Dylan’s third concert in Israel. He performed here in the past in 1987 and 1993, and visited the country during the 1960s.

The concert included songs from Dylan’s entire career. I hope I can see him here back again in the future.

P.S.: regarding the China “controversy”, here’s my 2 cent on this: was he performing for the government of China or for the people of China?

Dylan submitted this response in his web site:

May 13

To my fans and followers

Allow me to clarify a couple of things about this so-called China controversy which has been going on for over a year. First of all, we were never denied permission to play in China. This was all drummed up by a Chinese promoter who was trying to get me to come there after playing Japan and Korea. My guess is that the guy printed up tickets and made promises to certain groups without any agreements being made. We had no intention of playing China at that time, and when it didn’t happen most likely the promoter had to save face by issuing statements that the Chinese Ministry had refused permission for me to play there to get himself off the hook. If anybody had bothered to check with the Chinese authorities, it would have been clear that the Chinese authorities were unaware of the whole thing.

We did go there this year under a different promoter. According to Mojo magazine the concerts were attended mostly by ex-pats and there were a lot of empty seats. Not true. If anybody wants to check with any of the concert-goers they will see that it was mostly Chinese young people that came. Very few ex-pats if any. The ex-pats were mostly in Hong Kong not Beijing. Out of 13,000 seats we sold about 12,000 of them, and the rest of the tickets were given away to orphanages. The Chinese press did tout me as a sixties icon, however, and posted my picture all over the place with Joan Baez, Che Guevara, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The concert attendees probably wouldn’t have known about any of those people. Regardless, they responded enthusiastically to the songs on my last 4 or 5 records. Ask anyone who was there. They were young and my feeling was that they wouldn’t have known my early songs anyway.

As far as censorship goes, the Chinese government had asked for the names of the songs that I would be playing. There’s no logical answer to that, so we sent them the set lists from the previous 3 months. If there were any songs, verses or lines censored, nobody ever told me about it and we played all the songs that we intended to play.

Everybody knows by now that there’s a gazillion books on me either out or coming out in the near future. So I’m encouraging anybody who’s ever met me, heard me or even seen me, to get in on the action and scribble their own book. You never know, somebody might have a great book in them.

One of the songs played in the concert was “Tangled Up In Blue”. Here it is:

Lipdub – the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Ilan — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:49:54 +0000

Dozens of Hebrew University students participated in the unofficial production of the Queen song “Somebody to Love” performed by the cast of the hit series “GLEE.” This incredible video, filmed in a single shot, is how the Hebrew University students kicked off the start of the school year on 10.10.10!

Red Sea Jazz Festival, Eilat 2010 – Impressions

Ilan — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:10:25 +0000

The Eilat jazz festival 2010 (23-26 August) was a one of a kind experience for me. I went there with a friend for 3 days but stayed 4. Overall I went to 6 shows:

Abate Berihun Quintet – Mr. Abate is an Israeli sax player and a great lead vocalist, who gave a great show of Jazz with African and Mediterranean touches.
Gary Burton Quartet - it took me a while to digest the music and the Vibraphone, which is an unusual instrument in a way it has a very unique sound, and unlike many other instruments, there’s only one method to play it. But as I heard more, concentrated and let the band take me with them, I heard the magic and wanted more.
The Danilo Perez Trio – Danilo’s music is mostly soft and it was the right thing to hear at that evening, It was one of my favorite choices and I enjoyed the artist class he did, earlier that day in Agamim Hotel.
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy – I got to say that this show blew my hat off! it was the most enjoyable and the most live and vibrant. The musicians were excellent and it was obvious they had 100% chemistry with each other. The tuba player was unusual producing jazz to psychedelic sounds. The drummer was one of the best I heard lately and Dave’s playing is extra ordinary.
Shem-Tov Levi ensemble – Shem-Tov Levi is an Israeli musician I havent hear in a long time. He came up with a 6 member band, and the music was Jazz influenced by Arabic music, Balkan, Gypsy and classical. it was a magical show which In retrospective was my second favorite that festival.
Manu Katché Third Round – It’s clear that these guys are great technical players, but I didn’t really connect with their music.

I also went to Danilo Perez artist class, which you can see in the clip, where he interacts with the audience prior to the show , answers questions and talks about his music and so on, very interesting.

Eilat 2010 was very kind t0 me, and although it was 39 ° c , it was rather nice, cause it’s very dry, so you don’t sweat and feel sticky , like in Tel Aviv for ex.
The sea waters were cool as always (the Red sea waters are much cooler than the Mediterranean) and clear. In between shows we sat on the beach, went in the water, went to eat, got back, etc – it was relaxing and fun.

I decided to drive via Mizpe Ramon road which is like having your private road, almost no vehicles, no semi-trailers at all and the scenery is great, you can stop at Mizpe Ramon and see the big crate, soap factory etc., much more fun than driving through the Arava road (yawn…).

Here is a little clip I made of the trip.

Click to enlarge the festival booklet. Marked in red circle, are the shows that I went to.

Infectzia (band)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:45:25 +0000

A movie about sex

They told me I’m a wasted talent
a businessman material
so I took a bank loan..
another wasted talent

They told me I’m a gold mine
I stretched my chest, straitend my back
took a loan from the bank
went into debts, a waste of time

Like a flower from the extinct kind
no one cares, no one minds
this is how I waste my time
and my talent

I changed my image and grew hair
went to play in a sex movie
they shot me in many positions,
me, the cameraman and two girls

They told me I’m a wasted talent
so I thought joining Monika Sex
they took me to numerous auditions
Yeheli Sobul and also Peter Rot

Like a flower from the extinct kind
no one cares, no one minds
this is how I waste my time
and my talent

Celcom’s Crisis (Celcom is an Israeli cellular phone company…)

It’s not pleasant being old
drooling on a salad that’s cold
It’s not pleasant writing a patent
on a paper when the table is wet

but we’ll overcome this crisis
I recall bad days in Celcom
I only wear small and medium

It’s not pleasant being fat
sweating all day on your butt
It’s not pleasant seating on ants
when you’re naked with no pants

Yes I’m sawing that tree
in the forest of eucalyptus
I will shatter the myth
shatter the myth

Acetone (what did you put in?!)

Let’s seat on a cup of coffee
talk about the world
look how fine it is
I’ll let you sip from the cup
until the last drop

and then you’ll ask me,
what did I put in?
yes you’ll ask what did I put in,
this cup of coffee..

I’ll say with confidence
I’ve mixed it with turbulence
and explosives wired to a clock
so scream and yell as you please
but in the end you’ll blow up

In a dark investigation room
3 cops started beating me up
one cop was very nice
gave me cigarette and coffee in a cup

And then I started to speak
and he asked me what did I put in
the cup of drink

I said yes it’s true
I mixed it with acetone
and wired it to a clock
so drink and drink some more
and in the end
you will also blow up

Vered

Vered climbs roofs all day
seats quietly staring at cars
and politely chooses who to crash on..

And all the friends standing
at the junction
call her to jump without fear
cause there’s always a chance
to sew the body to the face

Vered, paralyzed from shoulder to toe
limps quietly to the 13th floor
didn’t have time to heal the pain
and already try’s to jump again

Tal Segev (singer)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:44:49 +0000

“Little things” Lyrics by Tal Segev

Flowers to the face
at the end of a movie
you said it’s quite pleasing
now we’re sailing
in the waves
light blue colour
and ads above say
“world is a flower”

“the future is getting better”
says Sharon after the 10 O’clock weather
those little tiny things
We’ll surly enjoy what life brings

Put a smile upon our face
and join us, together
those little tiny things
we’ll surly enjoy what life brings

I guessed three
in the monthly lottery
even without the cash
we’ll hug and forget the rest

Holding your hand
until there’s no later
it’s like a zoo
just without the spectators

“The future is getting better”
says Sharon after the 10 O’clock weather
those little tiny things
We’ll surly enjoy what life brings

put a smile upon our face
and join us, together
those little tiny things
We’ll surly enjoy what life brings

Carmela Gross & Vagner (band)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:44:16 +0000

Carmela Gross Vagner

Carmela Gross & Vagner lyrics by Carmela Gross Vagner

Carmela Gross and Vagner
are living the life

Grosss is a money changer, doing business
Carmela is a witch, a black widow
Vagner is an artist, eaten with frustration

Carmela Gross and Vagner
are living the life

Gross came from Romania, Carmela from Bagdad
Vagner from Polania, with a number on his arm

A million years ago, they all climb trees
today they are living, in the 20th century

Carmela Gross and Vagner
are living the life
until they die..

Ehud Banai (singer)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:43:17 +0000

Ehud Banai

I remember I first heard Ehud Banai’s music in high school (early 80′s) and loved it.

Banai (Banai in Hebrew means a Builder) started his music career as a sound technician in early 80′s. “I wasn’t the best sound technician…. I was more busy looking at the artists than at the equalizer buttons” as Banai says. It was his uncle Yossi that has encouraged him to go on stage. He played in shows and even got to the Arad Music Festival, but eventually he thought of quitting. It was his wife and father that pushed him back to the recording studio in 1984 where he released the single “City of refuge” that became a successful hit.

In 1987 he joined the “Refugees” and released his first album with them, produced by Yossi Elephant, that unfortunately died a few years later (1951-1991). It became one of the most powerful albums in the last couple of decades with songs like “Construction worker”, “Melancholic”, “Keep on driving”, “Dirty work”, “Mix the cement” and more. The album dealt with many issues: social, politics, racism, religion and history, childhood and more. Since then, Banai has released many hits and albums and is counted as maybe the Dylan of Israeli music.

His last hits are: “The boy is 30″, “Just a little bit”, “The Cnafa is sweet” and more…

“The language of the Hebrew man” lyrics by Ehud Banai

Speak up the language of the Hebrew man

Loud and clear, the language of the Hebrew man
It is the language of the prophets
Of the sign up on the wall
It is old and sacred
It will open up your soul

Speak up the language of the Hebrew man
Loud and clear, the language of the Hebrew man
From the deepest mass of downtown Babylon
It will take you to the next train to mount Zion
It will get you up, it will make you fly
The language of the Hebrew man will take you high

You know, Abraham spoke the language of the Hebrew man
And also Jesus from Nazareth, and Maria Magdalene
Einstein, Jeremiah, The Dylan and the Cohen
They know something about the language of the Hebrew man

And when the Lord said “Let there be light”
It was in the language of the Hebrew man
And when Moses said “let my people go”
It was in the language of the Hebrew man

Speak the language of the Hebrew man
And let us all say hallelujah And let us all say amen
And everyone and everybody will Speak
the language of the Hebrew man

Speak the language of the Hebrew man.

“Your time is through” lyrics by Ehud Banai

And in my dream, I’m back in high school
on a Purim party
Vaxman stood shy at the corner
it was before he started to roam
I thought you were in India? (I said to him)
I am in India! (he replied)
and you’re in India too, don’t you feel wierd?

we are just passing by
just look around you
it’s not our party… are you listening!?
I’m listening (I said to him) and the song is indeed unfamiliar
that’s very true (said Vaxman)
your time is through!

And in my dream, I’m back in high school
on the class annual trip
Roseman had vanished with the tape
suddently I heard Abbey Road from the bush
the bus won’t wait (I called him)
let them go! (he said)
Im not leaving until side two, its a great track!

we are here just passing by
look around you
its not our bus, are you listening?!
I’m listening (I said to him) but It’s getting cold…
goodbye said Roseman,
your time is through!

And in my dream I returned to high school
and I did’nt get my homework done
Fixman, sweating, hinted me to follow
listen to some vinyls in his room
but the bell is ringing (I said to him)
let it ring! (he replied)

there’s nothing to fear we are just passing by
look around you,
its not our bell, are you listening?!
I’m listening (I said) and this is a weird dream
wake up! said Fixman
your time is through!
your time is through!
your time is through!

Tipex (band)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:42:46 +0000

Tipex

TIPEX is a brand name for a correction fluid that was once manufactured in Israel. The band took the name and the rest is history… Tipex is known for their sarcastic/funny/sad lyrics and their music is mostly pop influenced and spiced with Moroccan & other oriental beats.

Rolled in a newspaper was one of their first hits talking about poverty, injustice that are often translated into dry statistics and numbers in a newspaper.

Future was good to Tipex as they still perform and released more than 5 albums and were connected to other musical projects that succeeded.

Other songs by Tipex: “Rabbi Joe Capara”, “Just another Saturday” and more…

“Rolled in a newspaper” by TIPEX
Hebrew Lyrics by: Tipex | music: Moroccan

There are people rolled in a newspaper
ohhh woh woh woh, living in a can
conservation can in our kitchen
and on the kitchen’s table
there’s a man in the pitcher
peeping from the glass
and one day, was shot from a cannon

and in the cannon
there are people
getting slapped
ohhh woh woh woh, old and infants
near a broken bottle
from the beach

there are people near the beach ohhh woh woh woh
jumping from buildings
there is a joke about it
we sometimes laugh about it
in our living room

and in our living room
are new kind of people ohhh woh woh woh
living in a blankit
near a street light
under some line

theres a country that hides
under some line
and there’s statistics too
which are written in a newspaper

there are people rolled in a newspaper

Meir Ariel (singer, songwriter)

Ilan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:42:21 +0000

As a song writer, Meir wrote some of the most beautiful songs here. Some he sang himself and some others performed. As a song writer he had a great influence on the Israeli music scene. His style was, as he once said: “It’s some kind of sequence along with tiny of blues”.

Meir was born in Kibbutz Mishmarot. As a kid he played the flute then the accordion and guitar. His military service was a combination of a parachutist and a singer. After he discharged he wanted to let go of his current image as a singing-soldier, so via the Kibbutz he went to the USA in hope to get away and study cinema. Instead he was influenced by Bob Dylan’s music for years to come. He returned to Israel a couple of years after, and remained a unique song writer and performer. His songs can be described as funny, sarcastic, with a touch of blues, mostly all together.

Some of his hits: “Get in the car already!”, “Terminal Luminalt”, “Song of pain” , “Going idle”, “Seeds of summer” and many more…

Going Idle – Meir Ariel

He’s his own boss, don’t need no favour
does’nt carry a pencil or a paper
one shoe lace is torn, the other is absent
one step is sure, the other reluctant

going idle yeh, going idle

The streets give him time and no bill
here and there he rolls in small allies, whenever he feels
searching in the dark for stuff to sigh through
in any case he’ll bump in to a lady that wants to

going idle yeh, going idle

Terminal Luminalt Lyrics by Meir Ariel

After my release, the doctors recommended
a monthly visit to the airport
will do me good to see a big plane take off
though a transparent tear
it relieves the pressure on the washed eye

I take a positive afternoon off
say to myself, one day I’ll quit this too
maybe jog a bit, but then, I’m almost through

Terminal, Je t’aime, I love you terminal
bela mia

The doors see through me and open
I walk slow with lots of attitude not spoken
and all this intercontinental tickles me
I go to the toilets to freshen up
is that a crazy man in the mirror?

chicks like terminal all over the place,
standing there arched, two pomegranates,
long earring and shortly hair..
just like a suspected luggage at Swissair
the security officer next to her, just stares

Terminal, Je t’aime, I love you terminal
bela mia

I run to the departures board
there a flight to Zurich via Rome
polite speakers around do warn
then I feel a sharp throne
and come to a conclusion of my own:

Terminal, Je t’aime, I love you terminal
bela mia

I run back Swissair, to catch a stare
chicks like her you’ll find on every page
but she’s not there, nor the security officer

Almost breathless I hit a ledge
the big sunset light is blinding
wait! a Swissair Boeing is arriving!

Terminal, Je t’aime, I love you terminal
bela mia