C&L's Late Nite Music Club with Ofra Haza
By John Amato Saturday Jun 30, 2007 9:32pm(guest blogged by Howie Klein.)The first time I heard Israeli-Yemenite singer Ofra Haza she was just as a sample on "Paid in Full" by Eric B & Rakim. Eric B's song was really good but we rushed out to sign the sample. Ofra had already released a dozen albums in Israel, mostly children's songs, but "Im Nin-Alu," (the one the sample was taken from) busted her career wide open everywhere in the world. She had a top 5 song all over Europe and even in the U.S., where songs in strange languages make most Americans reach for their guns, the song gave Ofra a big underground/hipster following. I loved working with her and her manager and was heartbroken when I found out that her husband, who died of a drug overdose, gave her a fatal case of AIDs. (cd contest below the fold)
Let's listen to "Im Nin-Alu" from Shaday and then do a contest. Easy contest: just send us a playlist of your three favorite songs that aren't in English and tell us why you think they should be on the radio. Send your list to downwithtyranny@aol.com and you might win the 2-disc deluxe legacy edition of Santana III, his groundbreaking 1971 album plus his final concert at the Fillmore West (which includes 9 previously unreleased songs).
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frist.
Long day you been puttin' in John.
Ofra was fantastic. People unfamiliar with her should check out her a capella version of "Love Song"! Wonderful!!
I usually don't do this, but I am here listening to my world music, and I will probably be cheating...but howsabout
Johnny Clegg ft Juluka Putamayo
Awesome guitar, and really great almost chant and recitative singing.
Jah Kas Cool Boy - Lo' Jo which was on the Festival in the Desert CD.
This songs strongly resonates, something about the melody and the voices really plays.
Vocal Samplings Mi Guantanamera
For simply the fact that these guys are a group of Bobby McFerrin vocal wizards.
Anything by them is amazing to listen to.
I would also say anything by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
because Qawwali moves your soul
I would also say anything by Amadou and Mariam.
Brave Combo: Pije Kuba -
http://technohippie.com/geeklog/public_html/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&s...
Here's a couple of versions of the above song in origonal language -
http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.15065535&variant=play
http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.10452913&variant=play
She was also featured in Thomas Dolby's 1992 record, Astronauts and Heretics.
Great album! She's on the track named, "That's Why People Fall in Love "
Thanks John, I had never seen or heard this very beautiful woman before.
I'm not interested in the contest, but I'll throw out my fave on English acts... I've done my best to generalize the styles...
(Middle Eastern inspired)
D'hafer Youssef
(Japanese pop)
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Pizzicato Five
(Flamenco inspired... mostly instrumental)
Ottmar Liebert
Rafael Riqueni
(Gaelic)
Clannad (anything pre-80's before they went pop influenced)
(African/World music)
Joe Zawinul
...and I could go on but that should get someone a good start.
crud, that should have read "fave non-English acts" doh! btw, Galbi and Deliver Us are my personal faves from Ofra Haza. l8tr...
Somehow, it escaped my notice that Ofra Haza had died. I had a small child at the time and was pretty isolated and focused, I guess. It makes me so sad to find this out! My sister-in-law--the hipster, not me--gave me the Shaday album and I loved it. Haza was amazing.
I think my favorite non-English music comes from Paris Combo, again a group my SIL introduced me to.
Man, I think she was featured on either the "Just Say Yes" or the "Just Say Yo" album, or sang backup on one of the tunes... I dunno... just a vague recollection from the college years...
/too tired to google
> ... the “Just Say Yo” album ...
One of my favorite messages I've seen on the back of a pickup truck here in Houston, someone painted over certain letter in the "Toyota" on the back of his/her truck to say "YO". Loved it. My least favorite, someone (I think I saw this around Vidor, Texas (that figures)) painted over certain letters on the back of his "Nissan" pickup, to say "SS". What a loser.
I haven't thought about Ofra Haza since her death. What a lovely voice and beautiful woman and human being she was. Thank you for thinking of her and bringing her back to us.
Brave Combo: Robertin Roberton -
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Hw4ZPXNzZE
Furners? I got yer furners. Let's tear it up!
Thug Murder: "Double Fist"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP4UuZfdhog
Sorry Robertin Roberton is cut off. To make up for it, Brave Combo: Why Oh Why -
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TBrB_PP5lqI
(there is a Y O Y bridge here in Houston, the HOV lanes from/to the Katy Freeway from/to downtown next to the old police station @ 61 Reisner. Check out the supports for it if you ever visit Houston!!!!)
[Deleted. Thanks for sharing-Sitemonitor]
I liked her work in the 1998 film The Governess.
Ketchup Mania:
"Namida Vacuum Sound"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-G_VtivGFQ&mode=related&search=
"mo_dems" @ 19 says -
> ... why is the former president of Warner Brothers music posting here? ... With all the intelligent listeners on C&L, surely we can do better than Howie Klein, music industry executive extraordinaire. ...
Sorry, John apparently couldn't get Alpert and Moss to post here.
in regards ofra haza, i dont believe that a more beautiful voice has ever been heard...it is sad that we in america, as the result of the corporate control of our media, very rarely get to hear foreign language pop or rock...
here are some acts that should have gotten air play here in the states
kaveret (poogy) these guys were the israeli equivalent of the beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5xUiayK-Pc&mode=related&search=
He kol kah yafa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hOcJ3nUhE&mode=related&search=
yellow generation Tobira no Mukou e (japanese girl group that puts the spice girls to shame)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zie6y0xjq_I
Thanks, I don't think I've heard her before.
even in the U.S., where songs in strange languages make most Americans reach for their guns
I've been a little under the weather today, and this line made me laugh out loud (even though it's fairly true). Thanks. It gets my vote for "quote of the day."
Bob Loblaw @ 7:
She's also on the remixed version of Sisters of Mercy's "Temple of Love"
One more...
Eastern Youth: "Natsunohi No Gogo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgmCdbY_iAM&mode=related&search=
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Tijuana Taxi -
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rb2ztCY5smg
Herb Alpert: This Guy's In Love With You -
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oqmhXmTsCPw
ooops....i aint finished yet
L'Arc en ciel "ready steady go"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2We1ONRXFw
i would say that hyde is comparible to mick jagger in regards to his sex symbol status in japan
Porno Graffitti - Melissa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgLwXgXlEVw
Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Loop & Loop (japanese weezer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rvdt7-jae0
Rewrite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR0mjQgPIvw&mode=related&search=
Cool Joke - Undo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdDsFIMhyX0
as you can tell, i really dig j-pop
Nice, to hear Ofra Haza again.. what an extraordinary voice. Btw, she also did some incredible vocals for a remix of the song 'Temple of Love,' by the Sisters of Mercy.
I don't usually do the contests.. but, I'll share some favorite's of mine for this one..
It was hard to choose what to post. Since, there's a lot of great music that never makes it onto the Radio here in the States. Like, a lot of the Music that's already been mentioned on this thread.
But, since this contest was started by an Ofra Haza video.. I thought I'd post 3 women, who have amazing voices. My reasons for thinking they should be played on the radio are: All of them are unique and exceptional artists. They already have large followings outside of the United States. If I remember correctly, all of them sing in English too.. so, it would be easy for them to crossover.
First, Susheela Raman, doing a Hindu chant to Ganesh, backed up by her band that sounds more like jazz, than 'traditional' music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy7D_FIkWIY
Second, Yasmin Levy. She is from Spain, and has a sephardic jewish heritage. Her Songs reflect both of those backgrounds. Also, I saw her here in L.A. and she was truly magical in concert. Here she is on Jules Holland's show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siy6-z1HaUs
Finally, Elisa Toffoli from Italy. She doe's rock in both Italian and English. IMHO, she had one of the most poignant and powerful performances of the 'Live 8' Concerts. . Even though it was just her and her guitarist performing two of her best known songs. I'm going to post both songs, she performed that day.
Luce:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqpksAyxQ4
Una Poesia Anche per Te (A Poem for you):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxmpsIF7AE
She really takes off on the vocals, at about 3:30.
mo_dems.
i dont get all the hate against howie...he has discovered and produced some pretty important bands
if the hate is against haza....hate to tell you this, but her stuff has indeed been sampled by many a hip hop group
sorry you dont like the music threads
but as my mother used to say...if you have nothing nice to say....stfu
UJM -
> i dont get all the hate against howie…he has discovered and produced some pretty important bands ...
It's like a band signed under the A&M label once said: "And when you're up there, they just can't wait to take you down"
http://technohippie.com/geeklog/public_html/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&s...
correction, "tear you down".
The Murder Of Ofra Haza
1. Ya Loualid (Oh My Child) - Cheb Khaled and Chaba Zahouania.
A studio-confected duet, apparently. Chaba Zahouania, a female rai singer from a family conservative enough to not permit her image to be used on her albums combined with the Rajah of Rai himself, Cheb Khaled. His vocal performance is more frenzied, he sounds like a man consumed with desire, hers is a more restrained, more controlled performance
which makes the whole thing sound like the prologue to the end of a particularly doomed romance. The whole chugs along at a pace that suggests it is, or was, a short, fiery doomed romance at that.
2. Nothing Without You (Tery Bina)- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
From the album Musst Musst, the second track which stirs the emotions bound up with one's soul mate (even if you might not have found them yet), and the obvious connection the singer has with his God. It is undeniable from this performance that as far as Nusrat is concerned, his God is a God of love; and he communicates that. I'm an atheist, so Nusrat doesn't convince me that his God exists, but he communicates the sincerity of his love of God and that there is no harm in it.
It really is that powerful.
3. Train-Train - The Blue Hearts
One of my favourite punk records. Japanese punks sing a song about escape. Or that's my impression of it. the Japanese is damned quick but it has a very catchy chorus. It's a song that speaks to my Wanderlust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOtpGrm3ol8
I'll go with 3 Japanese songs.
. Shoukichi Kina -- Subete No Hito No Kokoro Ni Hana O
Ry Cooder is a big fan of this great Okinawan musician.
This is quite literally a "flower child" song, about the need for people's hearts to bloom.
2. The Timers (w/ Imawano Kiyoshiro) -- Gizensha
Segueing from Okinawan folk to Tokyo punkish rock.
The title of the song means "hypocrites", and it combines a righteous rage that is rare in Japanese music with the self-realization of the artist's own hypocrisy.
3. Kuwata Keisuke -- Manatsu No Kajitsu
A beautiful J-pop song about a fleeting summer romance (in Japanese):
Hana
Gizensha
Manatsu No Kajitsu
Fairuz - Dakhlak Ya Tair Al-Werwar
Lebanese Chanteuses
Haifa Wehbe-Arabic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWp9L2Tx8YI&mode=related&search=
Fairuz - Dakhlak Ya Tair Al-Werwar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWp9L2Tx8YI&mode=related&search=
In fall of1988 or winter/spring of 1989 the infamous D.C. radio station WHFS played Ofra Haza, they introduced me to her. I heard her voice and rushed out to buy the album. Her voice is amazing and its sad that she died so young. Thanks for posting the video. It was lovely to wake up and hear her voice on a Monday morning.
Lucinda
I was very sad when I found out that she had died. I collected quite a few of her albums over the years and had to opportunity to see her in concert and meet her beforehand. I believe "Show Me" was her last single. It was amazing.
Oh yea, don't forget that you can hear her in Paula Abdul's song "My Love Is For Real". She's the "real" voice on the song.
Ofra Haza is one of my favorite singers!
Too bad she never had a wardrobe malfunction.
sunna perrarri @ 34:
Newsflash: The Illuminati died soon after Adam Weishaupt went belly up in 1811.
What is interesting is he taught in Ingolstadt, where the fictional Frankenstein went to University, and his professional life until death was the period of the novel.
Widespread,
Damn you beat me to Shoukichi Kina!
Jing Jing - Shoukichi Kina. A terrific song with beautiful energy and poppy as all hell with wicked shamisen playing alongside Ry Cooder's tasty slide work.
Ah Ndiya (Oh My Love) - Oumou Sangare. The whole album 'Omou' is smoking, just funky as hell. As soon as I heard the first track on this album (Ah Ndiya (Oh My Love)) I knew I was hooked.
Sæglópur - Sigur Ros. I love the soft-hard-soft arrangement of this song. If orcas could play music and drink beer, they would sound like Sigur Ros. In my opinion.
Djanfa by Amadou and Miriam
Velha Infancia by Tribalistas
Tajabone by Ismael Lo
They all are deeply magical.
Tajabone, by Ismael Lo
Djanfa, by Amadou & Mariam
Velha Infancia, by Tribalistas
The all connect to the magical realm.
That album by Ofra Haza was among the first CD's I ever bought. It was one of the 10 or so free CD's in a CD club I joined when I got my first player in the mid 80's. I really loved that album, and I was looking for it a few weeks ago and couldn't find it. I must have loaned it to someone and never got it back. Sucks.
ysbaddaden @ 44:
lafin gas @ 51:
Cafe Tacuba - Hoy Es. An epic, anthemic song by this brilliant Mexican band.
Cibelle - Deixa. It's hard to pick one song from this remarkable woman, but I'll go with this slinky playful number. A good summer song.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Kamli Wala Mohammed. This should truly be on the radio. Sure, it's twelve minutes long, but if classic rock stations can play "Whipping Post," then surely a radio station can make room for this classic.
And a 4th - Lo'Jo - Baji Larabat. Because someone else already named "Jah Kas Cool Boy." The interplay with the male and female vocals makes the hair on my neck stand up.
Thank you so much.
I had forgotten.
She was quite an inspiration when I was stationed in "Old Europe" in the 80's.
Haunting.
C
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