Introduction
From: Shalom Rav:
Kol B'Seder in Concert (1981)
8. Goodbye Uganda Israel Shalom (live)
10. Sin'u Ra (live)
11. Ushmor (live)
From: The Bridge (1985)
13. V'yashvu Ish
15. Ani V'ata
16. Leaving Mother Russia
17. Wonderful Time Down Here
18. Hold Fast to Dreams
19. Yism'chu
20. Hanitzanim
21. Holy Land Special
22. You Are Stormwind
23. Oseh Shalom
24. Adonai Oz
Bonus Tracks
25. Oseh Shalom (live 1988)
26. Adon Olam (live 1988)
27. Hodu (1972)
28. Y'varech'cha (1980)
29. My Favorite Sins
SNAPSHOTS VOL. 2 compiles Kol B’Seder’s first two albums (now out of print,) released digitally for the first time, plus several rare bonus tracks.
The group’s initial LP, SHALOM RAV: KOL B’SEDER IN CONCERT (1981) is an unplugged, stripped-down set of Jeff and Dan’s early songs, plus several playful covers.
THE BRIDGE (1985,) recorded at Chicago Trax Studios, features musicians from Chicago’s 1980s jazz scene, including Pat Fleming (guitar,) Eric Hochberg (bass,) Mark Walker (drums,) and the award winning, multi-talented Howard Levy on harmonica and everything else!
(Please note that four songs from the original album — V’yashvu Ish, Yism’chu, Oseh Shalom and Adonai Oz — are not included on the physical CD. They are included in the digital version, however, and also appear on Snapshots Vol. 1.)
Shalom Rav: Kol B'Seder in Concert (1981)
Produced by Steven Simenowitz
Recorded at URJ Kutz Camp, Warwick, NY
Dan and Jeff – vocals
Jeff – acoustic guitar
Michael Antelis – bass
Robert Bond – percussion
Peter Bliss – electric guitar
Jason Bergman – fiddle
The Bridge (1985)
Produced by Kol B’Seder
Recorded and mixed by Tom Matthews at Chicago Trax Studios
Dan and Jeff – vocals
Jeff – acoustic guitar
Howard Levy – piano, saxophone, flute, mandolin, organ, harmonica, dumbek, synthesizer
Pat Flemming – electric and acoustic guitars
Eric Hochberg – electric and string bass
Mark Walker – drums
Klepper has always enjoyed experimenting with jazz, and so we have Arik Einstein’s Ani V’ata (written in 1971) and “You Are Stormwind”, a liturgical poem by Rabbi Chaim Stern. Kol B’seder aptly employed the talents of some of Chicago’s finest jazz session players. Mention must be made of Howard Levy, one of the rising stars on the Chicago scene, who played piano and just about everything else.
Kol B’seder has always allowed a strong sense of Jewish peoplehood to suffuse their music. Freelander’s solo “Jerusalem is Mine”, by Kenny Karen, is testimony to that, as is Robert Solomon’s Soviet Jewry protest song “We Are Leaving Mother Russia.”
A personal word—Jeff and Danny are two of my oldest colleagues and friends. We have shared laughter, tears, and music over the years. Their music is a blessing to the American Jewish community. On their wings of song, countless Jews of all ages have flown back into the shelter of Jewish identity. Year after year in summer camps, schools, and synagogues, Jewish people sing and pray their music.
The Talmudic legend tells us that Moses, transported forward in time, could not understand the words of Rabbi Akiba. Would they, transported once again across these scores of miles and generations, understand Kol B’Seder’s way of teaching their heritage? I am convinced that they are smiling, even now, at these, their heirs. Moses would remember that the melodies of his sister Miriam at the Sea were anything but restrained.
All those who love Jewish tunes and words will find a home in the music of Kol B’Seder. They are part of the historical seder, the historical order of those who have sought to transform prayer and devotion into joy and song.
- Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin