How Good? Pretty Good...

I'm in a constant war with my 15-yr-old son about control of the car radio -- on my own, I either listen to NPR or to any number of my Jewish music CDs (I own hundreds). If I let him take over, we listen to a lot of songs with offensive lyrics that celebrate violence and painful relationships, and a few sappy love songs. Since this is the beginning of “Positive Music Month” according to my friends on the internet, it seems an auspicious time to write this review.

Luckily, I had a teaching opportunity that was two hours away –and with two hours to myself in the car, I had time to really listen to Craig Taubman's newest CD, "How Good", which offers new takes on some of the morning prayers. Craig invited a pretty good guest list to the recording party -- world-renowned Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, Debbie Friedman, Josh Nelson, "Matzah Girl" Michelle Citrin and Christian/Gospel musicians Rick Muchow and Darrell Hobbs

This CD is a companion piece to a new family prayerbook published by Behrman House, Siddur Mah Tov - A Family Shabbat Prayer Book (for more information visit www.behrmanhouse.com), and frankly, some of the songs seem forced to adapt a rather childlike text to a more adult contemporary sound. The most jarring of these is "Boker Tov", which, following a simple but engaging "Modeh Ani" is redundant.

Taubman re-used and reconfigured his "Friday Night Live" versions of the "Bar’chu" and "Adonai S'fatai Tif'tach" prayers -- bringing new energy to music that has been sung thousands of times sine the 1999 release of that CD. Those were actually really welcome surprises. It is always amazing to hear Cantor Mizrahi sing, and I thought the juxtaposition of his cantorial presentation of the Bar’chu as the intro to Taubman’s was a very creative presentation.

The other highlights are a very sing-able version of the Sh’ma, “Master of All Things” and an English-only song at the end that I think is sung by Josh Nelson (but the liner notes are beyond scanty!), entitled “Hello God”. So “How Good?” – I’d say “pretty good” – go listen for yourself. The CD is available now through craignco.com with discounts available for schools or shuls that choose to order in bulk.

Public vs. Private

I'm sitting in a coffeeshop, with music playing a little louder than I would like, and one guy next to me is talking on his cell-phone in Russian, while a couple are talking to each other across the room intermittently (she pauses to type on her computer and he is on his smartphone). It's the combination of public and private that is so interesting!

I just read my friend Beth Meltzer's blog about her first year of mourning the loss of her beloved husband, Steve. It's a different journey for each of us, but somehow, it helps to see the things that mattered to her.

My recent experience of Baki's 5th yahrzeit was this blend of private/public as well -- 24 people, friends and family, my friends, Baki's friends, their parents, my family -- joined together and told stories. Some shared memories of Baki when he was alive. Some shared memories of his death. Some shared what has changed in their lives and outlook since he died. How we changed our lives in response -- it was all meaningful and hopeful. Not at all "religious" -- no prayers were said, no formula recited -- but deeply connecting and spiritual.

It's an interesting balance -- public and private. Not that every thought should be shared or published! It's more that over the years of sharing my songs and stories, I realize the power of intuition when others respond!