Yemenite Songs

1. Im Nin' Alu

2. Yachilvi Veyachali

3. A'Salk

4. Tzur Menati / Se'i Yona / Sapri Tama

5. Galbi

6. Odé Lé Eli

7. Lefelach Harimon

8. Ayelet Chen

Tracks:

Im Nin'alu
Lefelach Harimon
Ayelet Chen
Tzur Menti/Se'i Yona/Sapri Tama
Galbi
Ode Le'eli
Yachilvi Veyachali
Ash'alech

Amazon.com

It would have been groundbreaking enough for the Israeli Ofra Haza to have performed an album of Yemeni Jewish songs. But when she and producer Bezalel Aloni added synthesizers, drum machines, and a generous helping of dance beats, they ended up creating one of the seminal records of world music--one of the very first ethno-techno releases whose reverberations extended into dance clubs around the globe, most especially with "Galbi." While its contemporary sound might make it seem shallow, there really is a lot of depth here, the lyrics coming from the poetry of 16th-century rabbi Shalom Shabazi. Along with fellow spirits like Dissidenten, Haza helped pave the way for Transglobal Underground, Natacha Atlas, and Banco de Gaia. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Yemenite Songs / Fifty Gates of Wisdom.......2007-04-10

Contrary to what one reviewer wrote, Yemenite Songs was the original release, and Fifty Gates of Wisdom was the reissue. Israeli websites list Yemenite Songs, and not the reissue. Niggling difference. Great music regardless.

Still, under whichever release, the songs are the same and are fabulous. This is what transformed Ofra Haza from an Israeli star into a global music superstar. It is hard to even pick favorites among the songs. The lyrics are Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic from classic Yemenite Jewish poetry and music. You may not understand the words, but the passions, the rhythms, and the beauty of the songs are universal and timeless.

This may be the greatest release by the greatest Israeli singer ever.

Fantastic!!!.......2004-08-29

This is the CD that I play the most right now! I have the other version of this album, but the music (and Ofra's voice) are fantastic! My absolute favorites are: #1, #2,#,4, #5, #6, and #8 (Aylet Chen)!

Traditional and trailblazing.......2003-06-20

"Fifty Gates of Wisdom" is Yemenite-Israeli Ofra Haza's masterpiece from 1987, melding ancient songs and rabbinical poetry with a dance beat hammered onto Yemenite drums that sound like pots and pans. It is an incomparable production that influenced the development of world-beat music and will stand proudly forever. I saw Ofra perform most of these songs live in 1990, and she exuded such joy, performing Yemenite dances around the stage as she sang. And she sang with such power, she could send a tremor down the back of the entire audience with the slightest trill. The standout track is "Im Nin'Alu" (a #1 hit in Europe), and my other favorites are Aleyet Chen, Ode Le'eli, Yachilvi Veyachali, and Ash'alech. Only "Galbi" fails to satisfy, sounding too much like a knock-off of "Im Nin'Alu". Unlike many of her later albums, she does not mix English in with her Hebrew, so unless you know Hebrew (or is there some Arabic or ancient Yemeni language here?), you won't understand a word. Believe me - it's no obstacle to a full appreciation of the music. There is another CD released more recently called "Yemenite Songs". It's the same CD with the songs in a different order - not sure what the point was there, but this is the original production. This is both a world-music classic and world-class music. It is the single most essential Ofra Haza recording.

A must have!.......2002-08-07

I am always baffled that to see albums of singers such as Ofra Haza in the "used" bin. Who would want to let them go?

This album is a must have for anyone who likes or wants to be introduced to the incomparable voice of Ofra Haza. For my taste I prefer the simpler "folk tunes" and mercifully this recording came out before the loud dance club style completely overtook Ms. Haza's work, such as in "Desert Wind". I would like to hear all Ofra's work reissued with the backing turned down. I have no problem with a background beat as long as it stays in the background. Ofra Haza was one of those rare singers who did not need accompanyment, just her voice alone soaring high was all we needed.

A jewish singing in arabic... ¡Simply Wonderful!.......2001-06-08

In this lines I don't wanna say nothing about israeli/palestinian conflict. Simply I wanna say: Hey, men and women of Middle East! Ofra was a jewish woman, bred in Israel, between jews, but she never forgot her arabs roots, yemenites, and sang for arabs and jews with the same beauty and talent of always. Because all we have the same God, and because arabs and jewish are brothers peoples. With "Fifty Gates of Wisdom/Yemenite Songs" Ofra sing wonderfully in the best album of folk music of the Yemen, with lyrics in arabic, aramaic and hebrew. "Galbi Yahib Al Hawa" is far the best song, tribal and mystic like few songs. Soon, in my opinion, "Im Nin'Alu", "Ode L'eli" and "Tzur Menti - Sei Yona - Sapri Tama" follow in beauty.

A great album, wonderful. It's cannot lack in the collection of who loves the ethnic music.

Tracks:

Im Nin 'Alu
Yachilvi Veyachali
'Salk
Tzur Menati / Se'i Yona / Sapri Tama
Galbi
Ode Le-Eli
Lefelach Harimon
Ayelet Chen

Product Description

1. Im Nin'Alu
2. Yachilva Veyachali
3. A'Salk
4. Tzur Menati giSe' Yona giSapri Tama
5. Galbi
6. Ode Le'Eli
7. Lefelach Harimon
8. Ayelet Chen

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

When An Angel Dwelt Amongst Us.......2006-01-26

Ofra Haza the late Israeli pop-diva had the purest voice I've ever heard. In 'Yemenite Songs' she returns to her roots and sings 8 traditional pieces. No matter what the genre of music she performs there's no mistaking that angelic voice. If you're into traditional ethnic music this is definitely an essential to your collection.

RIP OFRA

The Sound of the Southern Desert.......2005-04-16

This is a beautiful ode to Ofra Haza's Yemenite ancestry. She sings in the three languages of the Middle East-Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic. The only songs i know she sings in Arabic are Galbi, Yachilva Yachali (ya helwa ya hali), and Ayeselech (a'salk). With the exception of Yachilva Yachali, Ofra Haza confuses the dialects of Arabic that had surrounded her in life to make the lyrics nearly indiscernable, Yemenite, Palestinian, and evidently Egyptian (Egyptian movies are quite popular in Israel), but once you get through those tiny flaws the lyrics are lovely. The only reason i gave it four stars is i believe this songs would sound lovelier if devoid of synthesizers.

Charming middle eastern sounds.......2004-06-27

This wonderful album features traditional and modern instruments with songs based on the 16th century poetry of Shalom Shabazi. The opening number Im Nin'alu is a catchy mid tempo ballad and is followed by the buoyant Yachilvi Veyachali, a faster song with a complex arrangement.

Ofra's voice displays its impressive diversity on A'salk, a great interplay of mostly percussion and vocals. The medley of Tzur Menati, Se'i Yona and Sapri Tama has a catchy twirling melody and Galbi is another tuneful song with a compelling rhythmic structure. Ode Le'eli is a slow ballad with repeating patterns while Lefelach Harimon is my favorite with its sweeping melody line and hypnotic percussive textures.

Yemenite Songs is a pioneering album that successfully integrated traditional Middle Eastern songs with modern arrangements and pop appeal back in the middle 1980s. There is a moving spiritual undertone to many of the songs and Haza's voice is warm and engaging. If you like World Beat or the music of bands like Transglobal Underground, you will love this album.

Additional reccomendations for fans of this beautiful aalbum.......2004-04-01

I aggree with the other positive customer reviews and want to reccomend some discs in addition to this one for fans of Ofra Haza's beautiful music.

Amazon sells seven titles of Ladino music, which stems from pre-1492 castilian-judaeic culture in Spain. It combines Spanish and Hebrew, with beautiful stripped down arrangements.

MUSIC AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN.......2004-03-25

Yemenite Songs is an inspired and successful effort to bring renewed life to the excellent traditional Yemenite folk music of Ofra Haza's ancestors. This album (CD) is much more than Ofra's humble characterization of it as being simply something different than the usual pop offering. These songs and lyrics date back hundreds of years, yet they are extremely accessible and enjoyable to both middle eastern and western musical ears.
Catchy ethnic rhythms and melodies come vividly to life in this well crafted, richly textured, artistic production.

There are no commercial compromises on this work. Extensive use is made of traditional folk instruments, including various percussion instruments. The arrangements offer as true a taste of this type of traditional Yemenite folk music as you are ever likely to hear. This music is from the Yemenite "Diwan," a book of traditional poety meant to be sung. The poems are written, but the music has been passed down orally from generation to generation. The original album was an unexpected hit and has remained one of Ofra Haza's best sellers.

Every song is satisfying from the first to the last. This CD differs from Ofra's "Shirey Moledet" series of three albums even though Shirey Moledet means folk songs of the homeland.
"Yemenite Songs" is exclusively from the Yemenite "Diwan" song book, and is exclusively and purely Yemenite traditional folk music. The Shirey Moledet series while incorporating traditional Yemenite elements, also has various other influences including non-Yemenite Arabic music, and many of the songs are somewhat more modern in sound. The first Shirey Moledet album (CD) is particularly excellent.

Tracks:

Im Nin 'Alu
Yachilvi Veyachali
A 'Salk
A) Tzur Menati/B) Se'i Yona/C) Sapri Tama
Galbi
Ode Le' Eli
Lefelach Harimon
Ayelet Chen

Customer Reviews:

When An Angel Dwelt Amongst Us.......2006-01-26

The Sound of the Southern Desert.......2005-04-16

Charming middle eastern sounds.......2004-06-27

Additional reccomendations for fans of this beautiful aalbum.......2004-04-01

I aggree with the other positive customer reviews and want to reccomend some discs in addition to this one for fans of Ofra Haza's beautiful music.

Amazon sells seven titles of Ladino music, which stems from pre-1492 castilian-judaeic culture in Spain. It combines Spanish and Hebrew, with beautiful stripped down arrangements.

MUSIC AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN.......2004-03-25

Tracks:

Adhan
Bismillah
Ya Rabb Salli'ala N-Nabi
'Alim Al-Sirr Minna
Al-Tahmida
Al-Sala Tugsha Muhammad
Li Fi Ruba Hajir Ghuzayyil
Salli Ilahu Al-Sama
Ya Rabb Salli'ala Man Halla Bi-Harami
Al-Sana Iah
'Ala N-Nabi Wa-L-Al
Ya Rabb Ya Musbil
Al-Ziffa
Al-Bala/Ya Muslimin/El-Hamdu

Average customer rating:

Yemenite Songs (Dig)
Ofra Haza
Manufacturer: Cop International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007KSE2
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

Im Nin Alu
Yachilvi Veyachali
A Salk
Tzur Menati/Se I Yona/Sapri Tama
Galbi
Ode Le Eli
Lefelach Harimon
Ayelet Chen

Neve Midbar (Oasis) - The Songs of Jewish-Yemenite Women and Israeli Songs

Average customer rating:

Don't Walk at Night

Neve Midbar (Oasis) - The Songs of Jewish-Yemenite Women and Israeli Songs

Manufacturer: Beth Hatefutsoth
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000D1707
Release Date: 1995-10-15

Tracks:

NEVE MIDBAR (Oasis) (Music: Rafi Kadishson)
NADAM KOL OF (Birds are silent) (Music: Sara Levi-Tanai)
SALAM VIALBINT (Hallo girl) / Chugariya
WATIUR (The birds) (Music: Shama Avraham)
YEFE NOF (Beautiful heights) (Music: Yinon Neeman)
RAMA RINAT HATsIPOR (Song of the bird) (Music: Sara Levi-Tanai)
ANA FIDA LUMI (Love of mother) (Music: Shama Avraham)
FI SAILA (Two girls in the wadi) / Central and south Yemenite
YA ShIJARA (Pistachio tree) / Central and south Yemenite
RAAD AT (Soft tremble)
URA NEVEL (Awake the harp) (Music: Yedidya Admon)
SAMUNI NOTERA (Keeper of the Vineyards) (Music: Reuven Yaron)
MIN KhATRAT ALLYALI (Dont walk at night) (Music: Shama Avraham)
KAD ZAWAJUNI (They married me) / Central Yemenite
NAARI BAROIM (My boy the shepherd) (Music: Gil Aldema)
WALHAShMI (The Hashemites) / Aden
BISMILA ARAChMAN (Merciful God) / Yemenite
LAYLA BIKhNAAN (A night in Canaan) (Music: Nissan Cohen-Melamed)

Album Description

In this CD, Lea Avraham performs traditional songs which she learned from her mother, as well as Israeli songs that shaped her artistic and creative development. Avraham's rendition of the Yeminite songs in this selection is true to the original version of the songs, which are accompanied solely by percussion instruments. Rafi Kadishson arranged the selection of Israeli songs.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Walk at Night.......2006-06-02

This a stunning cd rich in cultural music giving tribute to the harmonic styles of two very different Middle Eastern countries, Yemen and Israel. The beautiful and often haunting voice belongs to Israeli singer Lea Avraham, and she sings in both Arabic and Hebrew to bring these powerful songs to lasting life. Unlike many other Yemenite Jewish musicians/singers, when she sings in Hebrew she does not use the Yemenite dialect, but sings specifically Israeli folk songs rather than Yemenite Hebrew Folksongs, while her Yemeni folk songs are in the Yemeni dialect of Arabic and quite popular through the region. But unlike the Yemeni musicians out there, this lady seems to be classically trained and enriches the Yemeni Arabic folk songs with her classically angellic yet sullen voice. For the Yemenite songs Arab/Yemenite instrumentation is used, while the Israeli folk-songs are accompanied by classical euro-centric composition. This cd is a beautiful expression of not only Yemeni identity in Israel and Jewish identity in the Arab World, but the overall harmony that could exist between Arab and Jew. (her Arabic is flawless) My favorite and by far most danceable song on this cd is Ya Shijara, (oh tree).

Average customer rating:

Yemenite Songs
Ofra Haza
Manufacturer: Ace records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Israel | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LYD2RS

Average customer rating:

Yemenite Songs
Ofra Haza
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000254CH0
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Ahavat Hadassa: Songs of the Jewish-Yemenite Diwan, Manakha Tradition

Average customer rating:

Ahavat Hadassa: Songs of the Jewish-Yemenite Diwan, Manakha Tradition

Manufacturer: Beth Hatefutsoth
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0000CAPRX
Release Date: 1990-07-01