Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi Sung by Randy Herman and Yifaat Asher to Billy Joel's "Honesty"

Fitting Friday night melodies to popular tunes can be a challenge. Sometimes the fit is natural and sometimes seems forced. But this Lecha Dodi adaptation of Billy Joel's hit song Honesty flows naturally.

The performers are singer Yifaat Asher and Cantor Randy Herman of the Chizuk Amuno Congregation & Schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Billy Joel and Itzhak Perlman Play "Downeaster Alexa"

Two Jews, two instruments, one voice, and beautiful music. That's what the audience saw and heard on March 9, 2015 when Billy Joel introduced Itzhak Perlman as his musical guest at one of his Madison Square Garden concerts.

After calling him the world's greatest violinist, Joel and Perlman blended their piano and violin with Joel's voice singing The Downeaster Alexa. 

This wasn't Perlman's first connection with that song. He can be heard playing an uncredited violin solo on Joel's album Storm Front, which included the song. Joel named the song for his boat, The Alexa, which was in turn named for his daughter.

Joel and Perlman performed the song in Madison Square Garden again on February 20, just before most concert performances were canceled in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#Throwback Thursday   #TBT

Unexpected Traces in Jewish Places: Hassidic Singer Shulem Sings Billy Joel's Piano Man

Growing up in Brooklyn's Boro Park neighborhood, Shulem Lemmer was exposed primarily to the cantorial music preferred by his father as well as his older brother, who's now a synagogue cantor in Manhattan. 

Shulem, who was a featured child soloist in his community, explains, "There are many different kinds and forms of cantorial music. I was hearing a wide variety of styles and approaches which broadened my awareness.”  Opera, particularly Luciano Pavarotti, also became an important influence, along with Michael Jackson that led him to artists such as Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban.

Today we're sharing Shulem's cover of Billy Joel's classic, Piano Man. It was recorded live on tour at the Manhattan JCC in October 2018, accompanied by leading Broadway musical director, Andy Einhorn.  

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with The Maccabeats and Shlock Rock Singing Shir Hamaalot, Billy Joel Style

Capping a month of postings with a Jerusalem theme, we're getting ready to welcome Shabbat with a unique collaboration of two a cappella groups, The Maccabeats and Shlock Rock.

To commemorate Jerusalem Day, they teamed up to sing the psalm that is usually sung to star the Birkat Hamazon (Grace after meals), Shir Hamaalot (Song of Ascents). This version is based on Billy Joel's hit song The Longest Time.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.