Friday I learned that the Moshav Band, of whom I am a fan and proponent, will not likely be coming to Chicago this summer. I’m publicly stating my dissappointment, but hopefully we’ll see them in Chicago under the KFAR banner sometime next year. Since we’re on the Carlebach topic, I’ve noticed I’m less a fan of Nusach Shlomo than I am of his melodies performed as songs. Anyone else feel this way?
I know this is considered blasphemy to many, but coming from a Conservative background, I liked the traditional melodies I grew up with in shul, because by and large we sang them as a cogregation. Everyone knew them. That is, we already sang together, so melodies which helped to enable this and counteracted a nasal and rushed baal kriah weren’t needed. Some of the Carlebach stuff works for me, but there is one thing which particularly turns me off, and you’ll think me a snob for the reason why.
Meheira is in a minor key, not major. Folks tend to turn it into a major key from the minor which provides its middle eastern essence. The first note should be a minor third above the first, not a major second. That’s because the niggun is in Phrygian mode (UPDATE: ‘m informed its in “Jewish Phrygian”, or Ahava Rabah mode), not the Ioninan or Aeolin modes it usually creeps into. Correct me if I’m wrong. Reva L’Sheva sticks to the mode and it sounds.. well, Jewish. Sure, its a minor detail, but that being one of my favorite melodies, its ruins my kavanah during daveing when I hear it done the other way, and when that happens, I’d rather daven elsewhere, which is why I often do.
Most people dislike Carlebach nusach because its not traditional enough, not fast enough, not slow enough. I dislike it because its generally just not done well. Modes aside, it never tends to be as spirited as its billing. It often seems to have a drainig effect on its participants. Why not just slow down the regular nusach and everyone sing along? (too close to Conservative minhagm I guess). Is Nusach Shlomo having trouble living up to its hype, or is it like the 7th generation photocopy that becomes more faded, fuzzy and stodgy each degree of seperation from the original?
My thought is that it needs to be done is a small room where everyone’s pushed together and cozy. Most davening should be like that, or in a backroom. We should do away with the massive shuls that house thousands and start building more small cozy shuls around which to build community. Strip Mall Shuls, right next to Starbucks. Maybe built into a Starbucks. A kosher starbucks. Shulbucks. I think I need my coffee fix.
I hear Organic Mind Unit is back in the studio, and there was a suggestion made recently that KFAR put them on stage or on tour with Israeli funk/rap band Ha’Dag Nachash. Its not a bad idea, even if I’m not crazy about the latter’s politics as it relates to own governement, their music, especially their latest album, Lazuz, is quite catchy. Downright infectious even.
