Ofra Haza - Fifty Gates of Wisdom: Yemenite Songs

Haunting Voice of Yemen

The late Ofra Haza was without a doubt one of Israel's most successful and influential pop artists, achieving fame both across the Middle East and even the world. This CD, emphasizing her Yemeni heritage, is probably her best work. Mixing her haunting Middle Eastern vocals and traditional rhythms with modern dance beats, this CD embraces both Israeli pop culture and the traditions of her Arab neighbors. Songs like "Im Nin' Alu" and "Galbi" are still as fresh today as they were back then. And her work continues to be a source of pride for Israeli's Yemeni Jewish minority even today, and rightly so I might add. If you want some authentic Middle Eastern pop music, this is a great place to stop, highlighting one of Israel's true treasures. Definitely the first Ofra Haza album to get. June 5, 2008

Charming textures

This wonderful album features traditional and modern instruments with songs based on the 16th century poetry of Shalom Shabazi. The opening number Im Nin'alu is a catchy mid tempo ballad which was also recorded by Laura Wetzler on the album Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics.

Next up is the buoyant Yachilvi Veyachali, a more uptempo track with an complex, impressive arrangement. On the song A'salk, a great interplay of mostly percussion and vocals, the range and beauty of Ofra's voice come to the fore.

The medley of Tzur Menati, Se'i Yona and Sapri Tama has a catchy twirling melody and Galbi is another tuneful song with a compelling rhythmic structure. Ode Le'eli is a slow ballad with repeating patterns while Lefelach Harimon is my favorite with its sweeping melody line and hypnotic percussive textures.

Yemenite Songs is a pioneering album that successfully integrated traditional Middle Eastern songs with modern arrangements and pop appeal back in the middle 1980s. There is a moving spiritual undertone to many of the songs and Haza's voice is warm and engaging. If you like World Beat or the music of bands like Transglobal Underground, you will love this album.
July 13, 2007

Yemenite Songs / Fifty Gates of Wisdom

Contrary to what one reviewer wrote, Yemenite Songs was the original release, and Fifty Gates of Wisdom was the reissue. Israeli websites list Yemenite Songs, and not the reissue. Niggling difference. Great music regardless.

Still, under whichever release, the songs are the same and are fabulous. This is what transformed Ofra Haza from an Israeli star into a global music superstar. It is hard to even pick favorites among the songs. The lyrics are Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic from classic Yemenite Jewish poetry and music. You may not understand the words, but the passions, the rhythms, and the beauty of the songs are universal and timeless.

This may be the greatest release by the greatest Israeli singer ever. April 10, 2007

When An Angel Dwelt Amongst Us

Ofra Haza the late Israeli pop-diva had the purest voice I've ever heard. In 'Yemenite Songs' she returns to her roots and sings 8 traditional pieces. No matter what the genre of music she performs there's no mistaking that angelic voice. If you're into traditional ethnic music this is definitely an essential to your collection.

RIP OFRA January 25, 2006

The Sound of the Southern Desert

This is a beautiful ode to Ofra Haza's Yemenite ancestry. She sings in the three languages of the Middle East-Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic. The only songs i know she sings in Arabic are Galbi, Yachilva Yachali (ya helwa ya hali), and Ayeselech (a'salk). With the exception of Yachilva Yachali, Ofra Haza confuses the dialects of Arabic that had surrounded her in life to make the lyrics nearly indiscernable, Yemenite, Palestinian, and evidently Egyptian (Egyptian movies are quite popular in Israel), but once you get through those tiny flaws the lyrics are lovely. The only reason i gave it four stars is i believe this songs would sound lovelier if devoid of synthesizers. April 15, 2005

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