Why this tune? This week’s tune is another in my “Parsha Songs” series inspired by the weekly Torah portion. “City of Refuge” was inspired by the commandment in Parashat Masei (מַסְעֵ֣י) to establish “cities of refuge,” as described in Numbers 35:11 “you shall provide yourselves with places to serve you as cities of refuge toContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: City of Refuge”
Tag Archives: Tunes On Tuesday
Tunes on Tuesday: The Changes
Why this tune? I’m continuing the song-a-day challenge I started at the beginning of January, managingto write at least part of a song every day. Today’s contribution is “The Changes,” which started from another phrase on my song ideas list: “sending more condolence cards thanwedding wishes.” That led to this self-referential tune about aging asContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: The Changes”
Tunes on Tuesday: Let Go
Why this tune? I’m starting the new year with a challenge, to write a song a day (or at least part ofone) through January. This challenge is hosted by Sarah Gulish and Kat Reinhert of “Songwriting for ME.” They provide resources and support for music educators who want to write music and teach those skillsContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Let Go”
Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Resolve (2024)
Why this tune? Tunes on Tuesday starts the new year with an updated version of a song I wrote last New Year’s Eve. It’s a twist on the concept of New Year’s resolutions, calling for us to resolve to “not resolve at all.” It’s really a love song, where the singer implores their love toContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Resolve (2024)”
Tunes on Tuesday: Snow Day
Why this tune? Winter officially starts this week, and with it the expectation of snow in the colder parts of the world. One of those snowy mornings inspired “Snow Day,” which I recorded with Aaron Myers for his 2015 holiday album “Snowing In Vegas,” that includes other original songs by Aaron and me plus someContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Snow Day”
Tunes on Tuesday: Maoz Tsur מעוז צור (A Mighty Rock)
Why this tune? On this fifth day of Hanukkah I’m sharing a contemporary take on the oldest of Hanukkah classics, “Maoz Tsur.” The text is a Jewish liturgical poem that was likely written in Germany in the 13th century, and possibly earlier, perhaps in response to the Crusades. The poem recall stories from Jewish historyContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Maoz Tsur מעוז צור (A Mighty Rock)”
Tunes on Tuesday: Nerot Dolkim נרות דולקים (Candles Lit)
Why this tune? I’m sharing a Hanukkah song this week to mark the start of the eight day holiday on the evening of December 7. “Nerot Dolkim” (“Candles Lit”) was written by Hanina Karchevsky and Levin Kipnis, two pioneers of modern Hebrew song in the early 20th century. According to the National Library of Israel,Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Nerot Dolkim נרות דולקים (Candles Lit)”
Tunes on Tuesday: Isfahan
Why this tune? This week I’m revisiting “Isfahan,” which I shared in 2021 at around this time of year to mark the birthday of its composer Billy Strayhorn (Nov. 29). I added a piano track to the solo recording that the fine bass player Joel Bennett posted to the long-running Facebook group Jam Of TheContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Isfahan”
Tunes on Tuesday: Thanksgiving With Uncle Rob (2023)
Why this tune? We celebrate Thanksgiving in the US this Thursday, so I’m marking the day with my song for the season, which I wrote in 2011. The version you’re hearing in the video is the 2016 recording with Aaron Myers, which you can find on your favorite streaming services and YouTube. I’m thankful forContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Thanksgiving With Uncle Rob (2023)”
Tunes on Tuesday: Lu Yehi לו יהי (Let It Be)
Why this tune? This week’s song was written 50 years ago, in the midst of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, by the great Israeli poet and songwriter Naomi Shemer. The lyrics started as a Hebrew version of the Beatles’ hit “Let It Be,” but Shemer was persuaded to write her own original melody for herContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Lu Yehi לו יהי (Let It Be)”
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 