MANDOLIN CARAVAN: Desert Soul

Mandolin Caravan

Desert Soul

© 2003 Kevco Music Group (634479810091)

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Mandolin Caravan's "Desert Soul" is a beautiful collection of the finest Jewish spiritual music recorded by some of New York City's finest musicians.

notes

Mandolin Caravan

Built on a musical partnership between Matt Turk and Kevin Hupp, Mandolin Caravan explores centuries-old Hebrew folk songs and melodies in updated arrangements that feature vocals, mandolin, guitar, percussion, bass, accordion, clarinet and cello. It’s a magical musical interweaving of traditional and modern sensibilities, proof that songs from the heart can cross the boundaries of time and space.
The group’s repertoire is, indeed, a travelogue that includes Israel, Yemen, Iraq, Morocco and the United States. Collected primarily by Turk, a resident musician at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York City who has recorded and performed alongside the likes of Pete Seeger, Ellis Marsalis and Fiona Apple, the songs of Mandolin Caravan are played with “a deep spiritual sense of the healing,” as one listener put it, while another likes the group’s “wonderful earthy, ethnic flavor—it’s like coming home: here are all of the beautiful sounds I grew up with, in one incredible, joyful blend.” Veteran drummer Kevin Hupp, who produced Mandolin Caravan’s debut CD, Desert Soul, admits to falling love with the beautiful Hebrew melodies Turk was discovering and working on over the years, which led to the formation of the group. Other members include bassist Barry Hartglass, cellist Noah Hoffeld, accordionist Gary Shreiner, percussionist Basya Schechter and clarinetist Bill Harris.

reviews

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  • Being touched
    author: Marion Hart MD , Stanley Kaye PhD

    After Matt Turc played at our Channukah party, a number of attendees extolled the various things, food, conviviality, etc. But the ultimate extolling was the phrase "and oh, such music". While the group played Mandolin Caravan we found ourselves leaning in closer and closer to the music. This had nothing to do with volume. The performance was at a perfect level. It was as though we needed to get closer to something, and indeed we did. We needed to enter the music and have it enter. It did. We can't think of a better definition of spiritual than being touched in a way that makes for feeling you've entered and have been penetrated. The Mandolin Caravan and other of Matt's music stems from the origins of our spiritual selves. This was precisely the experience we had. Thank you Matt. Drs Marion Hart and Stanley Kaye

  • Mandolin Caravan is a compilation of deeply spiritual, entrancingly beautiful an
    author: Dr. Katia Tiutiunnik

    I have fallen in love with Mandolin Caravan. It is a compilation of entrancingly beautiful, deeply spiritualy and powerfully healing compositions. I loved the traditional melodies and was also deeply moved by Matt Turk's original music. The orchestration was also beautifully done in all of the pieces. I have just ordered another copy of the CD for my Jewish friend. I'm sure it will uplift and inspire him and his family.

  • Absolutely fabulous!
    author: Shoryo

    I have listened to this CD over and over again. Beautiful. Absolutely wonderful. When I played it for my Israeli freinds, their reaction was the same as mine. Some songs brought tears to my eyes, especially because Jewish music here in Italy is hard for us to find.

  • Mandolin Caravan is quite lovely!!!
    author: Shari Troy, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Theatre History
  • author: EVC

    It's a fantastic and totally enjoyable recording.

  • author: Rabbi Neal Kaunfer, NYC

    This CD has great selections, great renditions, great vocals & instrumentals--very heart & soulfelt. A real contribution to Jewish spiritual music. Looking forward to many hours of pleasure listening to it & will tell others.

  • I play your beautiful "Et Dodim" on my program.-Mike Sherman KEOS, 89.1FM Bryan, TX

  • Loved it--wonderful mix of sounds.
    author: Desiree Atherton

    These are some of my favorite melodies (Erev shel Shoshanim, Yedid Nefesh . . .) played with a wonderful earthy, ethnic flavor. For someone like me, who has both European and Israeli family (but who lives in midwest US!), listening to it is like coming home--here are all of the beautiful sounds I grew up with, in one magical, joyful blend.

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