Record Reviews

GIDI GOV ~ MOON DANCE HED ARZI 64343 (Barcode: 7293372434396) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 6th album. With a career stretching over more than thirty years Gidi GovFind albums by this artist is today a mythical figure on the local Israeli music scene. Since his early days as the lead singer of the legendary group KaveretFind albums by this artist and up to date he maintained an unprecedented and uncompromising standard of musical excellence, refusing to participate in any sort of trendy escapades. His unique and very personal way of singing can be compared to the great American and European performers like Frank SinatraFind albums by this artist, Tom WaitsFind albums by this artist, Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist and many others, all of whom posses not only a remarkable voice but also a deep understanding of music and a high level of emotional involvement with it. Although Gov usually performs material written specifically for him (in most cases by his friends Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist), for this special project he collected a string of classic international vocal standards (and some Israeli evergreens from his past), which were beautifully translated into Hebrew by Eli Mohar and exquisitely arranged by Adi RenertFind albums by this artist (one of Israel’s great jazz musicians and arrangers). The ensemble accompanying Gov includes the creme de la creme of the Israeli jazz players and the entire album is beautifully recorded and produced (IMO this is the best ever production in this country). The choice of material might have easily resulted in some tackiness, but Gov’s incredible talent to interpret tacky material (like Armstrong’s “It’s A Wonderful World”) with enough twist to make it interesting works like a charm. His interpretation of Van Morrison’s “Moondance” is simply divine and the rest of the material is equally excellent. Age seems to be smiling upon Gov as the experience and seasoning turned him into a world-class performer by any standard. I absolutely adore every minute of this great album and urge everybody with sensitive ears to give it a try.

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ELI MAGEN ~ UNDERGROUND MAN (SOUNDTRACK) NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 Veteran Israeli Jazz bassist / composer Eli MagenFind albums by this artist started his musical career as the founding member of the Rock group ApocalypseFind albums by this artist in the early 1970s. Later on he studied classical music and became a member of the Israeli Philharmonic and in parallel became "Mr. Bass" of the Israeli Jazz scene. This album presents the music Magen composed and arranged for the soundtrack of a movie, recorded by a quintet comprising of other veteran Israeli Jazz musicians: trumpeter Yigal MelzerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Peter VerthaimerFind albums by this artist, pianist Adi RenertFind albums by this artist and drummer Guy Ben BarakFind albums by this artist. The music is mostly contemporary mainstream Jazz, performed flawlessly and with many splendid solo spots. Magen sings along with his bow solos, which is pretty unusual and the rest of his routine is brilliant, as always. It´s always great to have a recording by Magen, as he definitely recorded much less that he should have, in retrospect. Same goes for Verthaimer, who is one of the greatest reed players in Israel, but unfortunately with no recorded output to back up his reputation. A must for Israeli Jazz connoisseurs!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend