First, as a public service announcement, we remind you that Hanukkah begins at sundown December 2, this year--so it's just over a month away.
Back when Hanukkah music hunting was young (for me, anyway), choices were slim. There were a small handful of Jazz tunes, a small handful of Alt Rock tunes, a couple of Novelty records, fewer Folk songs than you'd think, and Adam Sandler. And a lot of what was out there were variations on "Dreidel", "Hanukkah O Hannukah", and "Ma'oz Tzur". So, when "Chanukah On Maple Street" by Boston's The Maple Street Project was released in 2003, I jumped on it.
"Chanukah On Maple Street" wasn't just a Folk Chanukah record. The members of the group challenged themselves to each write original songs for the record, and 4 of them did so. So that's four original Hanukkah Folk tunes, rounded out with traditional songs "Ma'oz Tzur", "Rockin' Dreydle", and "Donna Donna" (the original CD also included the traditional "Chanukah Nigun", which only ran 1:25, and a cover of Peter Yarrow's "Light One Candle"). The CDs sold out quick and the album drifted into non-existence for any who didn't snag it. And The Maple Street Project also ceased to be, at some point, after playing from the 80's through the aughts--3 of its members going on to form the group Side Street and guitarist Mel Green embarking on a solo career. But last year, the former members of The Maple Street Project posted "Chanukah On Maple Street" to Bandcamp as a "name-your-price" download.
Maybe I'm the only Christmas music collector who gives a hoot about Hanukkah music, but I'd recommend taking advantage of this "name-your-price" download anyway. It's not on Amazon or itunes and it won't be available forever. It's all fun, but the highlights include the original "Light On The Hill" (written by Mel Green) and the traditional "Donna Donna", both of which sound a bit like Kingston Trio tracks. But the clear "winner"--and it was from the start--is Bob Littman's "Jelly Roll". It's a fun song, suitable for young and old, that showcases Judah Maccabee, latkes AND jelly donuts...and how many songs can you say that about?
Back when Hanukkah music hunting was young (for me, anyway), choices were slim. There were a small handful of Jazz tunes, a small handful of Alt Rock tunes, a couple of Novelty records, fewer Folk songs than you'd think, and Adam Sandler. And a lot of what was out there were variations on "Dreidel", "Hanukkah O Hannukah", and "Ma'oz Tzur". So, when "Chanukah On Maple Street" by Boston's The Maple Street Project was released in 2003, I jumped on it.
"Chanukah On Maple Street" wasn't just a Folk Chanukah record. The members of the group challenged themselves to each write original songs for the record, and 4 of them did so. So that's four original Hanukkah Folk tunes, rounded out with traditional songs "Ma'oz Tzur", "Rockin' Dreydle", and "Donna Donna" (the original CD also included the traditional "Chanukah Nigun", which only ran 1:25, and a cover of Peter Yarrow's "Light One Candle"). The CDs sold out quick and the album drifted into non-existence for any who didn't snag it. And The Maple Street Project also ceased to be, at some point, after playing from the 80's through the aughts--3 of its members going on to form the group Side Street and guitarist Mel Green embarking on a solo career. But last year, the former members of The Maple Street Project posted "Chanukah On Maple Street" to Bandcamp as a "name-your-price" download.
Maybe I'm the only Christmas music collector who gives a hoot about Hanukkah music, but I'd recommend taking advantage of this "name-your-price" download anyway. It's not on Amazon or itunes and it won't be available forever. It's all fun, but the highlights include the original "Light On The Hill" (written by Mel Green) and the traditional "Donna Donna", both of which sound a bit like Kingston Trio tracks. But the clear "winner"--and it was from the start--is Bob Littman's "Jelly Roll". It's a fun song, suitable for young and old, that showcases Judah Maccabee, latkes AND jelly donuts...and how many songs can you say that about?
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1. Light On The Hill 2. Chanukah All Over The World 3. Night Of 8 Candles 4. Jelly Roll 5. Rockin' Dreydle 6. Donna Donna 7. Ma Oz Tzur |
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