{"id":3235,"date":"2014-05-02T00:15:11","date_gmt":"2014-05-02T07:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=3235"},"modified":"2014-05-02T11:52:52","modified_gmt":"2014-05-02T18:52:52","slug":"creativity-at-the-crossroads-for-idan-raichel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2014\/05\/02\/creativity-at-the-crossroads-for-idan-raichel\/","title":{"rendered":"Creativity at the crossroads for Idan Raichel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Idan Raichel performs for one night only at the Vogue Theatre on May 12. (photo by Eldad Rafaeli)<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Vancouver audiences are in for a treat next month when Israeli musician and uber-producer Idan Raichel together with the ensemble of international musicians that comprise the Idan Raichel Project perform for one night only at the Vogue Theatre on May 12.<\/p>\n

The IRP\u2019s unique sound \u2013 a blend of African, Middle Eastern, Indian and Latin American rhythms and instruments, is familiar to Vancouver audiences. Their three previous tour stops here \u2013 also presented by the Chutzpah! Festival \u2013 were sold out well in advance. This time, in addition to old favorites, audiences will be treated to some songs from Raichel\u2019s latest and most successful album to date, A Quarter to Six<\/em>, released in late 2013 to enthusiastic reviews from music critics and fans, sky-rocketing to double-platinum status within two months of its release.<\/p>\n

The album\u2019s title, taken from a work by Israeli dramatist Yossi Banai, refers to the twilight hour, a time of transition from day to night. \u201cThis is a very special time in Israel, the change of the day … you can think about what has happened up until now, also what could happen,\u201d explained Raichel, who spoke with the Jewish Independent<\/em> from his home in Tel Aviv. \u201cThe hour of the day that is like the crossroads in life…. After 10 years with the Project, I feel we have reached this time … of change, a transition, both musically and personally.<\/p>\n

\u201cA Quarter to Six <\/em>[is] a kind of closure,\u201d mused the artist. \u201cIt speaks about the crossroads we have in life. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s age, or different perspectives, but we all have it about life \u2026 it doesn\u2019t have to be a matter of age, you can feel this crossroads when you are 15 or 50.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than a collection of songs, the album is what Raichel terms \u201ca complete piece of art,\u201d as it includes a booklet of small paintings that he has been working on for the past two years. This album \u201cis a big musical journey \u2013 inside my life spiritually and outside, touring and collaborating with [musicians] from Germany, Portugal, Columbia. The thing that touches me the most is that people see each song fits … [it\u2019s] part of a story and they are listening from start to finish, writing comments about the booklet.\u201d The songs are \u201cnot just singles,\u201d he continued. \u201cEvery song is a script in a movie, every scene is singing about the situation that he or she is in. At concerts, I see kids and their parents, grandparents with kids coming, it\u2019s reaching a wide audience…. The first time this is a full album that goes deeply into the theme of crossroads in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the format of this album differs from previous recordings, what hasn\u2019t changed is Raichel\u2019s unique sound, created in part by the collaboration with international musicians. A Quarter to Six<\/em> brings together an eclectic mix of voices, languages and musical disciplines with guest artists that include German counter tenor Andreas Scholl, Colombia\u2019s Marta G\u00f3mez, Portuguese fado star Ana Moura, Arab-Israeli singer\/songwriter Mira Awad, Malian singer and guitarist Vieux Farka Tour\u00e9, and a selection of some of Israel\u2019s top up-and-coming singers and musicians. Raichel wrote all the melodies and lyrics but collaborated with each artist, allowing them to interpret and adapt their song to their own personal style.<\/p>\n

This latest record is a very personal album \u2013 mirroring the very real crossroads that Raichel faces at this stage of his life and career. The 36-year-old recently settled down with his steady girlfriend, became a father and \u2013 in a move that elicited some very strong reactions from fans across the world \u2013 cut off his trademark dreadlocks. Raichel agreed that in retrospect the album foreshadowed his own transition into adulthood.<\/p>\n

\"image<\/a>
A Quarter to Six<\/em> was released in late 2013 to enthusiastic reviews from music critics and fans, sky-rocketing to double-platinum status within two months of its release.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIs it personal? When I wrote the album, I still had my dreadlocks, I was on and off in my relationship with my lady but somewhere inside I knew it was time to make decisions, to change things. I knew … I have to shave my dreadlocks after 14 years, I knew we were on and off but I knew I wanted her to be the mother of my kids.\u2026 Later on, it was natural. One month after the album was released, we knew that we were pregnant, things were happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having a child has opened Raichel up to a whole new world. Having a baby \u201cgives me such a perspective about life\u2026. I just enjoy this miracle, see how she develops and discovers new things every day\u2026. It opens my appetite for more young creatures, maybe another nine or so. I wish!\u201d But Raichel and his Austrian girlfriend, Damaris, are not planning on adding to their brood just yet. Their baby girl, Philipa Helena Damaris Raichel, remains with her mom in Israel while Raichel is on the road. \u201cDamaris and the baby won\u2019t tour with me…. I think it\u2019s good to separate things. On the road, everyone has stuff to do. I don\u2019t want them to feel forced to have to wake up early or, you know, to see the concerts every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

IRP\u2019s blend of international musicians and sounds has put it at the forefront of the world music scene. In addition to that, Raichel calls the Project\u2019s music \u201cthe soundtrack of Israel,\u201d adding that the group plays the role of cultural ambassador for Israel. \u201cThe definition of world-music artist can change from one time to another, but world-music artists bring the soundtrack of where they come from. For example, Bob Marley is the voice of Jamaica; Edith Piaf, the voice of France; or like Miriam Makeba is the voice of South Africa. We feel honored when people describe our music as the soundtrack of Israel. If people don\u2019t know anything about our country but can remember our music \u2026 especially people from conflict regions, then they see the other side of our culture.\u201c<\/p>\n

The past year has been a banner one for Raichel, who performed privately for Barack Obama during his state visit to Israel, appeared with French superstar Patrick Bruel and was awarded ACUM\u2019s Composer of the Year 2013. To top it off, the popular Israeli entertainment magazine Pnai Plus<\/em> named Raichel \u201cMan of the Year.\u201d Far from finding this flattering, the title made the unexpectedly humble musician feel uncomfortable. \u201cWell, I was speechless then, and I\u2019m speechless now,\u201d he said. \u201cIn such a crazy country like ours, with so much happening every day, even every half day … how weird it [is] to get this recognition. I think a better Man of the Year would be … there is the story of one of the army commanders, he lost his two hands in an explosion and, a few months after that, he came back to the army to lead [his soldiers] again.\u201d He added, \u201cJust the struggle, even if it wasn\u2019t an army, even if it was a soccer team … I don\u2019t know, to see the power of good will, how strong you can be facing such trauma, how you can not give up to depression or pain or disappointment, that was an inspiration, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raichel said there is \u201ca lot of good music coming from the Israeli music scene\u201d nowadays. \u201cIt\u2019s becoming more and more open to sounds from all over. Back in the day, you would hear less of the Yemenite roots, Middle Eastern influences,\u201d it was \u201cmostly Ashkenazi music.\u201d And while he enthused about Israel\u2019s modern musicians, mentioning DJ Avishai Cohen and Yemen Blues in particular, he still enjoys the music of Arik Einstein and Shoshana Damari. \u201cNow, there are so many more radio stations, for more artists. Today, you hear music that more reflects the sound of the Israeli melting pot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chutzpah! Festival artistic managing director Mary-Louise Albert said audiences are in for a whole new experience at the May 12 concert. \u201cI have brought Idan back because it builds his audience here in Vancouver and I\u2019m committed to supporting many artists beyond just presenting them one time. Artists develop and grow, so audiences get to experience this growth also when an artist performs multiple times.\u201d With its 10-member ensemble (the largest of IRP\u2019s Chutzpah! engagements), Albert said the Vogue Theatre is the perfect showcase for this high-energy, \u201cplugged-in\u201d event. \u201cVancouver audiences have not experienced this show before,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Opening for IRP is Vancouver\u2019s Babe Gurr, who will showcase songs from her current album, SideDish<\/em>, a unique blend of world music and her own roots style that has earned Gurr glowing reviews and a strong following.<\/p>\n

Nicole Nozick <\/strong>is a Vancouver-based freelance writer and communications specialist.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Idan Raichel performs for one night only at the Vogue Theatre on May 12. (photo by Eldad Rafaeli) Vancouver audiences are in for a treat next month when Israeli musician and uber-producer Idan Raichel together with the ensemble of international musicians that comprise the Idan Raichel Project perform for one night only at the Vogue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[788],"tags":[966,968,31,965,967,969],"class_list":["post-3235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","tag-a-quarter-to-six","tag-babe-gurr","tag-chutzpah","tag-idan-raichel","tag-mary-louise-albert","tag-sidedish"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3235"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3235\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}