I'm thrilled to share with you this wonderful review our Megillah family member Lori Cahan-Simon received from the magazine All About Jazz, by Elliott Simon:

Michael

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For pure Chanukah joy and Eastern European authenticity, vocalist/folklorist Lori Cahan-Simon’s Chanukah is Freylakh! can’t be beat. Assembling a band of world-class musicians to revitalize Chanukah songs that had largely been forgotten, this release is as educational as it is musical. Adrianne Greenbaum’s expressive flute melds beautifully with the string-based ensemble to evince a gorgeously textured patina. Cahan-Simon’s rich alto vocals are powerful enough to belt out the freylakhs yet exquisitely controlled on the more cantorial pieces.

But this release is really about fun and copious liner notes include instructions for the dance steps that should accompany these pieces. This makes the music come alive by reviving and highlighting an historically important dimension of these heretofore-overlooked melodies. Much of this music is celebratory in nature and its original intent was for dancing; Chanukah is Freylekh! enables a wonderfully participatory Chanukah experience for the whole family unlike any other.


Hear Lori's CDs at: cahan3  cahan2  cahan1  nos band  Email Lori to buy at This address .