There’s nothing more exciting to the Yeshiva world than Cotton Club entertainment. For those of you who remember, the Cotton Club was a jazz nightclub in Harlem (in the 1920-40s) where white people could watch black people (aka “darkies”) perform. Aren’t we proud to be Americans? The yeshiva world still loves this kind of entertainment. Bucherim get all giddy when they hear a person of color speaking in yiddish or singing a niggun (double checking my autocorrect — OK, we’re good). In honor of this month of joy… you can get your kicks here.
Is this a way to reach over the ecumenical divide and unite the world by sharing upbeat music? or is this another example of the inherent culture of racism found in a world where even the sfardim are too dark for their taste? You tell me…
Oh, and happy Adar.
To find more niggun singing videos (checking autocorrect again… OK), visit 4Torah.com
Zahava February 11, 2013 at 11:15 am
The melody used for “Meshinichnas Adar” is actually an old Dixie slave tune with the following lyrics:
Gonna jump down, turn around
Pick a bale o’ cotton
Gonna jump down, turn around
Pick a bale o’ hay
(Repeat)
Chorus:
Oh Lordy, pick a bale o’ cotton
Oh Lordy, pick a bale o’ hay.
IRONIC, isn’t it….
Witness February 20, 2013 at 1:13 am
You just made my Purim
Eli February 11, 2013 at 11:52 am
Mayor Cory Booker said a vort on the Parsha (from Rabbi Boteach) at the SCHI dinner in Lakewood last night…the dais was squirming, I assume. Either way it’s a great speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGObeZWTnxc&feature=player_embedded#t=265s
Eli February 11, 2013 at 11:58 am
The nice vort starts here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGObeZWTnxc&feature=player_embedded#t=671s
Joe February 11, 2013 at 12:29 pm
I think your making a big deal and insinuating racism when it really isn’t the case. This dude obviously works with Frum people and learnt their style from them so someone films him how can you compare that to white people going to a club who’s sole purpose is to make them feel that Blacks are animal’s.
Izzy February 11, 2013 at 1:11 pm
The guy’s voice is marginal…it’s a joke.
Some awesome niggunim created by Itzhak Perlman and Cantor Yitzhak Helfgot (of NYC fame) was just produced in January 2013. The album is called “Eternal Echoes.” Now you want to hear an incredible voice…Helfgot…he’s da man! His Kol Nidrei is about as incredible (for a living Cantor) as it gets. They both will be at the Hollywood Bowl this summer on August 20, 2013. Sure to be memorable! ITunes link below if you want to listen to some samples of their amazing collaboration.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/eternal-echoes-songs-dances/id554786486
lakewood bachur February 12, 2013 at 6:40 am
you think this is good? check out Mayor Cory Booker’s address this week at a dinner in Lakewood. He gets applause each time he says something in hebrew.. how condescending is THAT?!
lakewood bochur February 12, 2013 at 7:49 am
was thinking the same thing when I watched it. though there it’s because he’s not Jewish – not necessarily because he’s black
Boston Dave February 12, 2013 at 9:42 am
i’m not sure this is racist, but it leaves an oily, dirty taste in my mouth. I’m not a fan. If I saw this happening, you’d probably see the camera jolt as i dope-slapped the videographer.
Matthew February 12, 2013 at 11:02 am
Joshua Nelson sings old yiddish tunes with The Klezmatics…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i89lXzyrYRY
The Other Mike February 13, 2013 at 4:28 pm
This is interesting and all, but what I really want to check out are some old Leadbelly recordings of Aleinu and Adon Olam. What? Didn’t Alan Lomax get those down?
anonymous February 14, 2013 at 8:53 am
I love lomax!