July 6, 2011 - 4 Tammuz 5771
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Vocal band struggles with mid-life crisis to "pick a genre, already!"
When we started singing in 1992 (our first gig at my Bubbe's retirement home -- I still have the sign they put up for the residents - "Listen Up! singers -- No Bingo this week!") I don't think any of us had any idea of what kind of music we'd sing... or what kind of vocal band we would be. After 20 years, I know what we're not, but it's hard to define what we are. We're not "college a cappella" - young men in matching sports jackets and penny loafers (although, by Glee's "Warblers" and the Maccabeats, that seems to be where the money is these days...). We're not conventional. Sure, we enjoy covering songs by Van Morrison, the Beatles, and the Bee Gees, but our recorded repertoire is more eclectic. The way I most often describe us when someone asks is... Zionistic, rhythmic, humorous,... perhaps irreverent to style/genre. Each of the members of the band like different things these days. Noah is all over the place -- with tastes that range from Peter, Paul & Mary to Jason Mraz to Ethnix. Kevin likes Stevie Wonder, John Legend and old Hazzanim. Moshe likes R & B, Billy Joel, and Straight No Chaser. AY likes Michael Buble and Schwekey. And me?? I really like everything... anything.
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Vocal band struggles with mid-life crisis to "pick a genre, already!"
When we started singing in 1992 (our first gig at my Bubbe's retirement home -- I still have the sign they put up for the residents - "Listen Up! singers -- No Bingo this week!") I don't think any of us had any idea of what kind of music we'd sing... or what kind of vocal band we would be. After 20 years, I know what we're not, but it's hard to define what we are. We're not "college a cappella" - young men in matching sports jackets and penny loafers (although, by Glee's "Warblers" and the Maccabeats, that seems to be where the money is these days...). We're not conventional. Sure, we enjoy covering songs by Van Morrison, the Beatles, and the Bee Gees, but our recorded repertoire is more eclectic. The way I most often describe us when someone asks is... Zionistic, rhythmic, humorous,... perhaps irreverent to style/genre. Each of the members of the band like different things these days. Noah is all over the place -- with tastes that range from Peter, Paul & Mary to Jason Mraz to Ethnix. Kevin likes Stevie Wonder, John Legend and old Hazzanim. Moshe likes R & B, Billy Joel, and Straight No Chaser. AY likes Michael Buble and Schwekey. And me?? I really like everything... anything.
The London Symphony recording of "Star Wars" was my first and favorite album, probably followed by Styx's "Kilroy Was Here" and some Sheena Easton singles. Nowadays, I'm going through a new-age musical awakening each day. Not "new age" music, which is garbage. But rather, bugging everyone I meet to share with me what they listen to. Every time Israeli shlichim come into our community, I demand a CD of their favorite tunes. I take regular trips to the library with my patient kids, to take out stacks and stacks of CDs of bands (and countries) I've never heard of... just to hear something new and interesting.
The result is that my own musical tastes for the band are less about WHAT we sing and more about WHY we sing. I have a stubborn belief that the life's breath of a pride and joy in being Jewish, and particularly appreciating the State of Israel is ROOTED in Jewish musical expression. I can't separate the way I feel about all this and the music in my head -- whether liturgical music, the dreying klezmer clarinet, or Matisyahu's reggae. Given that, the question is: what can a Jewish vocal band achieve with the people who listen to our
music. Entertainment? Inspiration? Can we teach something?
music. Entertainment? Inspiration? Can we teach something?
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| Listen Up!'s new look?? |
A music reviewer for the Cleveland Jewish News once said about one of our albums that "you could hear every word so clearly". That struck me in a funny way. Maybe taking older songs -- of a past generation and re-introducing them (and re-invigorating them) for a new listenership is of value? The TV show, Glee, amidst wild popularity seems to be doing just that. I wonder if its success is BECAUSE of the strength/value of the older songs, or if it is due to the enthusiasm that the older generation has to SHARE that beloved music with their friends -- and their kids. Maybe the answer is in that: to use the clever (and trending) a cappella style to create an opportunity for people to SHARE their enthusiasm. I suppose the chutzpadik assumption that's at the base of my beliefs about our band is that, by singing and performing, we can get OTHER people to feel the way that WE do about Jewish music. (BTW, I haven't even touched on original music... which is another ball of wax completely. Next time...)
Camp Ramah "Sing Off" for Kids and Parents
Listen Up! Performs on Thursday night at Camp Ramah "Zimriyah"
Listen Up! Performs on Thursday night at Camp Ramah "Zimriyah"
Tomorrow night (Thursday, July 7), Listen Up! will join some hundred Jewish campers and their parents and friends at Camp Ramah Day Camp's annual "Zimriyah" song fest. The program begins at 7:00 pm at the Chicagoland Jewish High School in Northbrook, IL. For more information, contact Camp Ramah via their website.
Local Mom Wins Big
Facebook contest winner will host a "big BBQ" for all Listen Up! fans in
Illinois
Local Mom Wins Big
Facebook contest winner will host a "big BBQ" for all Listen Up! fans in
Illinois
Congratulations go out to Rachel Blumenthal from Skokie, Illinois (by way of Dallas, I believe) for winning the May contest via our Listen Up! Facebookpage. As the winner, Rachel will receive a free in-home performance. Although MY suggestion was to use it to wake the kids on the first day of school, I think she has other plans. I'm not sure that you'll all be invited, but (with her permission) we'll certainly share some video from the BIG EVENT. You can also win big -- in fact, we gave out free CDs to two of our Facebook fans in June. But, you got to be in it to win it, as they say. So, if you haven't already done so, "Like" our Facebook page by going to [4]our website and clicking the "Like" button. Do you have other ideas of what we should give away? If so, email us and let us know.
Wikipediatrician Needed
Can you (would you) help us to write a band entry?
Can you (would you) help us to write a band entry?
Music peeps, in articles such as this one, suggest that a Wikipedia page is a great way to get your band name "out there". However, they suggest that it not be the band members, themselves, or their mothers... that write up the entry. Therefore, we're looking for a few (or one) good mentsch or maydle to help us get our Wikipedia page submitted. We'll be happy to help you with the details, including providing our history, discography, and impressive list of LU! alumni. If you have the time and interest to help us, please email us.Thanks much!
Are You Really Going to Post That?
Like it or not, Listen Up! grants unfettered access to its rehearsals.
Like it or not, Listen Up! grants unfettered access to its rehearsals.
The iPhone is a dangerous thing. To abuse the privilege of having an iPhone and a Listen Up! "YouTube" channel, we've been posting video from our rehearsals (and performances) for your amusement (and the embarrassment of our families). Here's a link to the newest video -- which features an uncanny chicken impression by LU! bass, Noah Mishkin. Remember that you'll receive automatic notification of NEW videos if you "Like" our Facebook fan page by clicking on the "Like" button on our website.
