Festival of Light, Vol. 2

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: Greg Thompson; Thom Panunzio; Ben Wish
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Compilation producers: Robert Duskis, Bob Appel. Personnel: Chava Abertstein, Chava Alberstein (vocals, guitar); Lorin Sklamberg (vocals, accordion); Irina Mikhailova, Neshama Carlebach (vocals); Bruce Watson (guitar, mandolin); Ben Mink (guitar, programming); Danny Heines (guitar); Micheal Kashou, Michael Kashou (oud, dumbek, tambourine); Jory Faukuchen, Misha Schmidt, Stephine Fong, Alicia Svigals (violin); Erik Friedlander (cello); Phil Parlapiano (accordion, keyboards); Matt Darriau (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Dave Koz, Dave Kox (soprano saxophone, piano); Bob Franceschini (tenor saxophone); Frank London (trumpet, flugelhorn); Curtis Fowlkes (trombone); Wayne Horvitz (piano, keyboards); David Morgan (piano, vibraphone, background vocals); Victor Frienberg (piano, drums, programming); Ira Stein (piano); David Pitch (acoustic bass); Sheldon Gomberg (upright bass); Joey Peters, David Licht (drums, percussion); Stephen Theard, Ben Perowsky (drums); Peter Maund (frame drum). Audio Mixers: Danny Heines; Thom Panunzio; Ben Wisch; Ben Wish. Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; Allemande Productions, Fairfax, CA; Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; Groovemaster Studios, Santa Monica, CA; Hello Studio, Brooklyn, NY; House Of Blues; Kampo Cultural Center, New York, NY; King Sound; Other Room Studios, Ceattle, WA; Pictures. Festival of Light, Vol. 2 is an equally satisfying follow-up to the groundbreaking Hanukkah holiday compilation, capturing traditional and non-traditional musical takes on the season ranging from humorous and celebratory to ethereal, solemn, and spiritual. The generally subdued musical feel is broken at times by more boisterous offerings from the Klezmatics, the Frank London Big Band, and They Might Be Giants, for example; differing styles abound, including world music, rock, new age/contemporary instrumental, folk, klezmer, smooth jazz, electronic dance music, and traditional hymns, which gives the disc an amazing variety. ~ Steve Huey While there have been many albums featuring pop/jazz artists performing Christmas music, there haven't been many albums celebrating Jewish holidays. While the focus of FESTIVAL OF LIGHT 2 is on Hanukkah, the artists--an intensely varied lot--put their personal and unique spins on many Jewish holiday traditions. This set covers a dizzying array of artists, each of whom is aware of his or her cultural roots, yet there's no limitations on the performers stylistically. You get the daffy, XTC-by-way-of-Brooklyn pop of They Might Be Giants (their "Feast of Lights" rhymes "Hanukkah" with "harmonica"); the Quiet Storm-mellow stylings of Dave Koz; the whopping, swaggering bop-oriented jazz of the Frank London Big Band; the invigorating, swirling electronic-pop-tinged textures of Continuo and Le'eyla. For the eclectic, for the curious, for those who can appreciate all music regardless of style, FESTIVAL OF LIGHT 2 is cause for celebration.

CMJ (12/20/99, p.27) - "...features a wide range of artists performing a mix of mostly original secular and Chanukah holiday tunes..." Dirty Linen (12/99-1/00, p.54) - "...some new tunes to usher in the moment....manages to add new meaning while reinforcing Hanukah's sentimental and uplifting moods....By turns mournful and joyful these songs draw on history and integrity to offer a little bit of hope..."

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25