Miracle Of Miracles: Music For Hanukkah
Cedille, 2023
8/10
A collection of songs from more than 25 years of performances from Chicago a cappella, the singers present songs that revolve around American Jewish musical traditions and emit much creativity and energy.
“Oh, Chanukah/Y’mei Hachanukah” opens the listen with the animated and harmonic voices making for both playful and soaring moments, and it isn’t long until Gerald Cohen’s “Chanukah Lights” emits much intimacy via the heartfelt vocals that can be both bare and firm.
Further into the listen, “Al Hanisim” unfolds across 3 chapters of collaborative singing that’s highly melodic and rich, while “Lo V’Chayil” is full of gospel gestures that radiate much warmth and festive qualities.
Deeper yet, “Funky Dreidl (I Had A Little Dreidl” layers the voices with a meticulous precision that radiates tremendous skill, and “Lo Yisa Goy” exits with a distinct dreaminess that’s absorbing and suits the clarity of the album superbly.
A listen that transcends cultural borders and touches on folk and jazz ideas, for fans of vocal music, the Chicago a cappella’s work is an absolute must.
Travels well with: Rachel Barton Pine- Violin Concertos By Black Composers Through The Centuries; Will Liverman- Dreams Of A New Day