BETH HAMON: City of Love

Beth Hamon

City of Love

© 2003 Beth Hamon (634479745829)

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Beth's refreshingly lo-fi sound combines liturgical Hebrew and original English texts with a contemporary folk-grass-roots feel. NOT your typical synagogue worship music.

tracks

1 City Of Love/Ahavat Olam
2 Rom'mu
3 Yih'yu L'Ratzon
4 Mi Chamocha
5 Hashkiveynu
6 Lamps Of Peace
7 Maoz Tzur
8 Adon Olam
9 Hard Times Come Again No More
10 May God Bless

notes

Beth Hamon is a bicycle riding, car-eschewing, autodidactic singer-songwriter whose original material and cover choices straddle the fuzzy line between Jewish and secular themes of social justice and peace. She serves as a music-leader at Havurah Shalom in Portland, where she delights congregants with her vibrant, rhythmic guitar playing and her rich, earthy voice. She is also on the faculty of Temple Beth Israel Religious School in Portland.
A graduate of Portland State University, Beth has over twenty years of teaching experience in high school instrumental music, Judaic Studies and Hebrew.
She also serves other Jewish congregations and camps as a clinician and artist-in-residence; has appeared at Hava Nashira (the Jewish songleaders’ festival and workshop); and is a repeat performer at the Northwest Folklife Festival’s annual Jewish Show in Seattle.
Beth is available to lead worship services and facilitate Jewish text study and music workshops; and performs in venues large and small.

NEWS: (10/07) Beth's arrangement of Maoz Tzur has just been selected for inclusion in a new documentary film, "Refusenik". The film, now in production, tells the story of the Refusenik movement, the worldwide effort to free Jews from the former Soviet Union in the 1960's through 80's.

Update: (5/08) "Refusenik" is now in nationwide release!
A DVD is scheduled to come by late summer 2008.
For more info about the film, go to: http://refusenikmovie.com/

*** *** ***

“Very melodic! Beth Hamon takes a fresh, hip approach to contemporary Jewish Music.” --Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin, Jewish Singer-Songwriter and Cantor, Leo Baeck Temple, Los Angeles

"There's nothing else like it! It's bright acoustic pop and folk, performed with hearty, honest joy." --Tom Petersen, Victory Review

reviews

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  • author: D. Guillaume

    I enjoyed the guitar playing immensely, but was disappointed in the quality of the recording of the vocals. There are a couple of songs which I would want to learn to play and sing, which is a measure of the success of any cd. I look forward to hearing more.

  • A very pleasant surprise!
    author: Barbara Seidman

    I'm enjoying this CD very much...the guitar playing is wonderful. Very singable melodies to prayers we know well and several inspiring original pieces. I great find!

  • author: Lisa Baydush

    I LOVE Beth's music! Her melodies are wonderful, her guitar-playing is exciting and fresh, and her lyrics are beautiful! My favorites on this cd are "Mi Chamocha" and "Lamps of Peace." I've listened to Beth's cd nearly every day... it's a must-buy!

  • Very spiritual and relaxing.
    author: Diane Parker

    I was so taken by Beth's fresh voice and the sound of her guitar that I bought the CD for myself and another for my mother for Mother's Day. We both love it! Beth's rendition of the Hashkiveynu is almost haunting. Definitely a must buy.

  • Awesome!
    author: Shandra Bauer

    This is a great cd. Beth really makes some of the traditional Hebrew prayers her own, and yet they sound comfortable in the synagogue service, too - as if they've always been there, just waiting to be heard. Extremely enjoyable!

  • Sounds wonderful
    author: Malcolm G Hamon

    The sound of this CD was fantastic. I could listen to it for a long time.

  • Great music, timely and timeless lyrics that will appeal to all!
    author: Sari Peterson

    Beth's songs transcend religious boundaries offering something for both Jewish and non-Jewish listeners. Her lyrics are moving and thought provoking. With melodies that make you want to sing, the music ranges from traditional to contemporary and is always engaging. Bound to be a CD that gets worn out from being played over and over!

  • Lively, upbeat, soul restoring
    author: Fran Schwartz

    Very rhythmic, great to sing along with and harmonize. Beth's guitar playing is outstanding. Her original melodies are beautifully married to the Hebrew words. This is a CD to enjoy over and over again.

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