"Brooks composes her music
with a deliberate simplicity to make it suitable for a cappella, congregational
singing. Her melodies, sung without accompaniment, have a separate and
vigorous life of their own . . . the audience knew most of the tunes and
sang along lustily with the performers onstage." "The music has vitality and limpid
simplicity and invites even the most unmusical bystander to sing along.
That invitation was made clear in the excellent performances this month,
and a standing-room audience clearly enjoyed joining in." "… ‘Your Bountiful Light’
is a rich collection, and the accompanying volume of sheet music should
make it easy for synagogues to introduce her melodies." "During the High Holy Days she [Brooks]
would sing a version of ‘Uv'khen Ten Pakhdekha’ (Now Therefore
Put Fear of You) that made me realize what the Torah is getting at when
it calls fervent believers ‘charedim,’ or those who tremble
before God." "Your Bountiful Light is as lovely
and heart-rending as Jewish music can be, and just as often delightfully
celebratory. Different musical influences are smoothly interwoven, avoiding
the artificiality of many ‘multicultural’ efforts. Congregations
working with the music as liturgy will have fine inspiration from the
CD." "What a beautiful Yehalelu. It is
lovely. "Your Bountiful Light" is very refreshing and exciting
at the same time. And it is in keeping with our Jewish tradition." |