While other Jewish a cappella groups were doing take-offs on the Hip Hop musical Hamilton, Shir Soul demonstrated that they actually have a handle on popular culture by directing their Hanukkah take-off at Pentatonix. And these dudes are on fire! That's not a metaphor. Check near the end of the video. Who's on extinguisher duty?
To whom it may concern: Yeah, we've all heard of Hamilton. I'm sure its great. But the vast majority of people in this country have never seen it and probably never will. We'll wait for the movie. But anyone who hasn't heard or seen Pentatonix must be living in a cave (hopefully with enough oil to last a little over a week). And what was with all that colonial garb in a Hanukkah video anyway? OK, the painted dreidel eyelids are kinda creepy. But seriously. Pop culture, by its nature, is something derived from a widely shared experience. While Hamilton may have a 100% satisfaction rate, it it still an experience a very small percentage of Americans have shared. Just sayin'. (Just call me Mr. Coffee.)
Anyway, Shir Soul has long been a favorite around here. And this year's single is included on their new CD, "Holiday Shir". The album contains tracks for other Jewish holidays, too. But, in addition to this year's "Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah" MashUP, "Holiday Shir" contains some of their previous Hanukkah singles, "Dreidel", "Lift Yourself Up" and "Timeless As The Stars". Always wished Shir Soul would put these beauties on a hard copy CD and now they've done so. Hanukkah Harry must have gotten my letter. You can get the CD through CD Baby (Amazon only has the digital version).
To whom it may concern: Yeah, we've all heard of Hamilton. I'm sure its great. But the vast majority of people in this country have never seen it and probably never will. We'll wait for the movie. But anyone who hasn't heard or seen Pentatonix must be living in a cave (hopefully with enough oil to last a little over a week). And what was with all that colonial garb in a Hanukkah video anyway? OK, the painted dreidel eyelids are kinda creepy. But seriously. Pop culture, by its nature, is something derived from a widely shared experience. While Hamilton may have a 100% satisfaction rate, it it still an experience a very small percentage of Americans have shared. Just sayin'. (Just call me Mr. Coffee.)
Anyway, Shir Soul has long been a favorite around here. And this year's single is included on their new CD, "Holiday Shir". The album contains tracks for other Jewish holidays, too. But, in addition to this year's "Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah" MashUP, "Holiday Shir" contains some of their previous Hanukkah singles, "Dreidel", "Lift Yourself Up" and "Timeless As The Stars". Always wished Shir Soul would put these beauties on a hard copy CD and now they've done so. Hanukkah Harry must have gotten my letter. You can get the CD through CD Baby (Amazon only has the digital version).
Of this year's a cappella offerings, I think this is my favorite. The Y-Studs went the popular song route, performing a Hanukkah song to the music of the Chainsmokers ("Don't Let Me Down" and "Closer"). "Don't Let Me Down" has got the "drama" of some of the better Hanukkah remakes of popular tunes, and the vocals are top notch. Y-Studs is short for "Yeshiva students" as the group was born at New York's Yeshiva University. Among the Jewish a cappella groups, the Y-Studs are the new kids on the block (though definitely not the New Kids On The Block......not that there's anything wrong with that). "Don't Let Me Down" is available through Amazon and iTunes.
Moving on from the a cappella, Indie Folk, Rock, and Jewish music artist Julie Geller challenged herself, several years back, to write an original Hanukkah song every year. I believe we're on year 5, now. Sometimes, the songs are available for sale, sometimes as free downloads, and sometimes, we just get the YouTube video. That's the case this year with "Rekindle The Light". This is another case where I hope Julie will, at some point, gather her Hanukkah tunes together for a hard copy CD. If the Killers are the template, we may have to wait another 5 or 6 years. Until then, here's the video for "Rekindle The Light" from Julie Geller.
Big Hanukkah wrap-up tomorrow. And it's New Year's Eve to boot. We'll see if we can't give 2016 the send off it deserves (everyone, stand by to flush your toilets...that's the send off this stinkin' year deserves).
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