The world is moving so fast, but people still have a very soft spot for Shloime’s unique sound
Most of us go back a long way with the music of Shloime Gertner. We can still hear “Nissim… mit a bissele bituchen,” “Kodesh hi lachem… oy yoy Malka, Malkale…, and “Neshumeh vi bist di?” playing in our musical memories. Gertner’s vocal range, his warm and engaging style, and the trademark genuine smile you can sense behind it all is still intact on his brand-new album, ADEI AD.
While the album contains some contemporary and funky touches such as guest vocals by Lipa, Sruly Green, Yitzy Waldner, and Yossi Green, at its core, the music feels timeless, a heimish musical experience that boosts your day and leaves you singing after it ends.
“The world is moving so fast, but people still have a very soft spot for Shloime’s unique sound,” says producer Doni Gross, who says he was an awed ninth grader when Gertner’s debut album, Nissim, came out in 2007. “For me, working with Shloime and with Yossi Green has been very exciting — I can’t believe I’m getting to update and produce that certain nostalgic sound that I connected with back then.”
Shloime says that he has put his “full, full, neshamah” into the album. “We had fifteen songs, and we debated about putting five of them away. Ultimately, we decided to give the listeners everything,” he says.
Even in the era of advanced technology, when album collaborators don’t even have to be in the same country, Doni says there is nothing like actually working together.
“I even made a few hours’ stopover in London and went straight to the studio, where Shloime sang through seven songs for which I’d prepared a rough musical sketch. When I’m not sure, getting the singer to actually demo the song gives us both an idea of whether it’s the right fit, whether it’s going to hit home in his voice.”
The 15 songs include a catchy “Atah Imadi” — a swinging comeback song by Yitzy Bald, with a reggae-style arrangement, six Yossi Green songs, and two English songs.
“We’ve been collecting songs for three years,” Doni Gross says. “You can’t rush it. ‘Zei Gezunt,’ for example, was composed by Hershy Weinberger while he was driving. I said to him, ‘Think of Shloime Gertner. We need something happy.’ So he started to sing “Zei gezunt un shtark…” into a mic in the car, and then did a three-minute voice note with the high and low parts.’ Initially, Gertner was lukewarm to the song, but once he had recorded a demo, he saw its potential. When they showed it back to Hershy Weinberger, he didn’t even recognize it. Although he knew he’d written a song with the words “zei gezunt un shtark,” he had no memory of how it went. The Yiddish lyrics were written by Lipa, and the English song, which is not a translation but completely different lyrics, comes from Chayala Neuhaus: “Write your own healthy story / Life is beautiful — it’s up to you to paint that view…”
The album has a song “Reishis Chochmah,” written by Yitzchok Rosenthal of Shalsheles, a new “Hamalach” with English lullaby lyrics “Sleep my child, sweet dreams / Hashem is watching you / You are one of His children / And He loves you…” and a “Modeh Ani” — both from Yossi Green. Singing these pesukim — some of the most basic cornerstones of prayer, which every child knows — has a reassuring familiarity, while each melody presents with fresh and distinct emotional impact.
“Finally,” Shloime says, “Yossi wrote me a song I can sing before washing negel vasser.”
He’s also excited about “Pischi Li,” a hauntingly wistful track composed by Yedidya Yehoshua, a not-yet-known composer from the Jewish Quarter in the Old City.
“I bumped into him in Yerushalayim and he played me a few songs,” Shloime relates. “This one is special, and I think the way Doni took the arrangement will help shape it into a real chuppah classic. I can’t wait to sing it at weddings.”
“It feels great to include a new composer,” Doni adds. “You never know who’s going to write the next big song, so people out there should keep writing. Did I myself ever imagine that one day I’d be working with the biggest names in the industry?”
Whenever Inspiration Strikes
Niggun from the Clouds
“Sometimes songs can take you by surprise with how far they go, born of just a few moments of inspiration,” RABBI BARUCH CHAIT relates. “I was once sitting on a plane with Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum a”h to attend a Camp Sdei Chemed reunion, with my guitar stored on the rack above us. ‘Reb Boruch, it’s time for a new niggun,’ Reb Eli decided. Of course, a new niggun doesn’t always come down when you want it, but I said I’d try. I took down that guitar, and began to sing something, along with very simple and basic chords ‘Min hameitzar, karasi Kah…’ Baruch Hashem, an enduring niggun was born.”
Mic Drop
Good Morning Again
“My song Boker Tov was composed outdoors on a nice warm day,” YITZY BERRY remembers. “I came up with the concept and the first stanza, but then it took me time to develop the rest of the song. When I had a complete song, I sent it to Mordy Shapiro with a country-style arrangement, something childlike and fun.” Mordy liked the song, but not the arrangement. He sent Yitzy back a message: “Maybe I’ll take it to someone who can do pop.”
“Give me one more chance to do something else,” Yitzy replied, undeterred.
“The next day,” says Yitzy, “I sent back the same lyrics, the same tune, but with a pop arrangement. He couldn’t believe it.”
Back in time
Waiting for the Right Light
Sometimes a song lies forgotten for years, and then comes to life at the right moment. My song “Ben Melech” was actually one of the first songs I ever composed, many years ago when I was still a bochur. It came into consideration for my first album, but we had to make the choice between that and “Aheim,” because they were too similar. It didn’t make it on to my second album either, and following that I recorded two farbrengen-style albums. When it was time for a third studio album, we went back to “Ben Melech.” At that point it really resonated, and it became the title track.
At this point I have piles of songs that I’ve bought but then put away to wait for a time that feels right. I even have another song connected to Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai all ready and waiting, with the choir and arrangements done. It will come out at the right time.
—Beri Weber
