SONGS OF ZION RECORDING: Recorded at Gal Kol Studios in Tel Aviv with the one and only RECORDING ENGINEER: Lior Tivet (formerly sound engineer for Ofra Haza (may her memory be blessed),
DRUMS, PERCUSSION: Meir Yisrael,
BASS GUITAR: Ami Offir, Marc Chopinsky (Producer, Rhythm Arrangments),
ELECTRIC GUITARS, INSTRUMENTAL PRODUCER: Avi Singolda,
ACOUSTIC GUITAR: Marc Chopinsky,
BAZUKI: Aris (is there any other??),
OUD: Samir Joubran,
PIANO, ELECTRIC KEYBOARDS (Strings Arrangement): Ann Hilsden,
FLUTES, SAXES: David Fitzgerald (UK),
STRING ENSEMBLE: Jerusalem Symphony,
CONCERT MISTRESS: Bat Sheva Savaldi-Kohlberg,
CONCERT HARPIST: Julia,
OBOE, ENGLISH HORN: Michael Lam,
TRUMPET: Avraham Felder,
VOCALS, ARRANGEMENTS: Carol Cantrell,
LIVE EVENTS: Carol Cantrell on vocals, guitar, keyboards- and anyone else I can enlist for bass, drums and/or percussion, violin, flutes, etc.
Influences
My musical influences are covered in the BIO. The world situation stimulates a heart respone and inspires me to address it creatively. I think we all feel this way in regards to the tragedy in Sudan. My family and I are glad to bring aid and comfort to the Sudanese-Darfur refugees in Israel, thanks to the tireless efforts of Israeli University students. We have joined with them to care for these who have suffered so much. The plight of the refugees has made me thankful for all the blessings I have been given, reminding me to never take what I have for granted.
The sons and daughters defending Israel inspire me. I love to feed the IDF and have them to my house for dinner any chance I get.
Sounds Like
I only include these videos - a few of my favorites - for you to enjoy their vocal and musical style, as I do.
I love to sing and play for Israeli dancers. The harmony of vocal and instrument dynamics, lead the dancers to respond accordingly. The celebrative joy that erupts spontaneously from corporate circle dances is unmatched.
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MY FIRST TASTE OF MUSIC was when I laid my fingers on an old Hammond organ at the age of 8. By age 10, I was playing guitar and singing the top Beatle songs I picked up from listening to the radio. My greatest inspiration as a teen was Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Carole King, and the ballads of Bob Dylan. I participated in Madrigal groups, choirs, and several musical groups. In my 20s, I imitated other vocalists and developed vocal harmonies by listening to black Gospel singer/songwriter Andre Crouch, and the close harmonies of The Second Chapter of Acts. The free vocal soulful style of black Gospel and blues was a great influence which developed into a my unique vocal style.
MUSIC COMES FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY BEING (and yours too) and has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I used to believe that a person really didn't know me, until they tasted my music. From a young age, I have had a special interest in world instruments and vocals. I explored East Indian instruments and learned the elemental technique of playing my 2-gourded Rosewood-inlaid Sitar - brought to me from India, and I just loved the sounds and scales that were odd to my Western ears. (It was the 60s, what can I say?) Later I learned to play the Appalacian Dulcimer, a simple 4-stringed instrument that supports a good folksy lyrical ballad style. Mostly, I carried my Fender "Villager" 12-string guitar -- braless, beaded and barefooted -- wherever I went and sang at every opportunity. Ah, the freedom of hippies.
SHORTLY AFTER THE YOM KIPPUR WAR in 1973, I was inspired to sing the Songs of Zion (following a serious G-d intervention of my life). My first Hebrew song was "Jerusalem of Gold" (Yerushalayim Shel Zahav) written by Israel's top songwriter Naomi Shemer. (Okay, I mispronounced the words, but I sure had fun singing a new style!) I learned many of Naomi's songs that have become popular Israeli folk songs. The Sephardic ladino group called Pavarim were popular in the early 80s and I loved their style of harmonic vocals paired with their two classical acoustic guitars. In the latter 80s, I experienced a deeper level spiritually which transformed my personal worship, and I began to incorporate more musical expression. There were a number of musicians that influenced my understanding that G-d prefered an authentic expression of worship, rather than one that was rote--Kent Henry, Leann Albrecht, Don Moen, Shlomo Carlebach, to name a few. SINCE LIVING IN ISRAEL from 1980, I have performed and worked with many bands, musical groups, done numerous studio recordings with a variety of artists, sung for many weddings and bar/bat Mitzvahs, sung for and lead international Christian tourist events and conferences, etc. SOME OF MY FAVORITE MUSICAL MOMENTS IN ISRAEL were working with the BBC, INTEGRITY Music, singing with Adrian Snell & David Fitzgerald on woodwinds for Adrian's "City of Peace" at YAD VASHEM, ICEJ at Masada at the Dead Sea with 6,000 Christians, concert for 700 new Israeli's at BEIT HA'AM ULPAN (Hebrew language school in Jerusalem) in 1981, recording with the guys at GAL KOL Studios in Tel Aviv, and singing everyday with the amazing Greek scholar and teacher DEREK PRINCE, my boss. Other opportunities have allowed me to sing Israeli Hebrew traditional and biblical songs around the world in Jewish community centers and Christian churches, giving them a taste of Israel in their country, my part in hasbara on behalf of this country: Europe, South Africa, Japan, Brazil, North America. AT PRESENT I have a desire to play in a group I call "Zemer Atik" - a Hebraic freestyle acoustical ensemble featuring songs and music based on the ancient Hebrew Scriptures with Middle Eastern woodwinds, variety of acoustical drums, percussion, zither, oud, and vocals. I love the musical group Bustan Avraham as well as the Middle Eastern styles included in my "friends" listed at the bottom.
THIS FUSION STYLE EAST-MEETS-WEST COMES EASILY to me, no doubt from my Damascus roots - my Syriac (Aramaic)-Antiochan Christian Orthodox grandparents (Samra and Asfour clans) transported themselves to America. I know I am an oddity - "Syrian Christian sings Hebrew songs in Jerusalem" - now there's a headline. How many Christian Syrians do you know who choose to live in Jerusalem, sing Hebrew (I have yet to learn Arabic) and do hasbara for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people?
FOR ME PERSONALLY, singing the ancient songs of Zion - Zemer Atik - is a declaration from the G-d of Israel so long ago: "I am your G-d, you are my people, this is my Land which I give to you." From the psalmist-singer King David to present times, I am inspired by the poetic flow of G-d's love and mercy to His people He is returning once again to His Land from the four corners of the earth. This is my inspiration to sing.
Bnei Baruch senior instructor Tony Kosinec introduces the upcoming course in authentic Kabbalah at the Bnei Baruch Learning Center. Visit the site for more information and to sign up. Visit http://www. kabbalah. info/course/main/bb. php?id=myspace to sign up for a free course.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 (KJV)
There is a special place in life, that needs my humble skill, A certain job I’m meant to do, which no one else can fulfil. The time will be demanding, and the pay is not too good And yet I wouldn’t change it for a moment -- even if I could There is a special place in life, a goal I must attain, A dream that I must follow, because I won’t be back again. There is a mark that I must leave, however small it seems to be, A legacy of love for those who follow after me There is a special place in life, that only I may share, A little path that bears my name, awaiting me somewhere. There is a hand that I must hold, a word that I must say, A smile that I must give for there are tears to blow away. There is a special place in life that I was meant to fill. A sunny spot where flowers grow, upon a windy hill. There’s always a tomorrow and the best is yet to be, And somewhere in this world, I know there is a place for me.
