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.
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Father, in the Name of Jesus, bless me even while I'm reading this prayer and bless the one that sent this to me in a special way. Open doors in our lives today. Save and set free! Give us a double portion of your Spirit as we take back everything That the devil has stolen: Emotional Health Physical Health Finances Relationships Children Jobs Homes Marriages
I cancel every plot, plan and scheme the enemy has devised Against us in the NAME OF JESUS. And I declare: NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US WILL PROSPER. I speak LIFE into every dead situation. And, I thank you that nothing is over until YOU say it's over!
I speak prophetically into our lives and to our situations:
Our households are blessed; Our health is blessed; Our marriages are blessed; Our finances are blessed; Our relationships are blessed; Our businesses are blessed; Our jobs are blessed; Our children are blessed; Our grandchildren are blessed; Our parents are blessed; Our siblings are blessed; Our ministries are blessed; Our decisions are blessed
Our friends are blessed.
Husbands are on the way; Wives are on the way; Mortgages are paid and debts cancelled; Our hearts' desires are on the way; According to YOUR perfect will and plan for our lives.
YOU SAID YOU'LL NEVER FORSAKE US!
IN JESUS' NAME! AMEN!
Say this prayer, and then pass it on to EVERYONE YOU KNOW. Within hours countless people will have prayed for you, and you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other.
"Safety is not the absence of danger but is the presence of God
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
Our new Album is finally out! You can check out some of the tracks on our page & purchase it on www.Tzadik.com if so inclined! May all sentient beings be released from suffering & may we all be blessed with Love Abounding!