Press & comments
Black Velvet II cd review
Black Velvet is a cross-cultural ensemble that offers one of the fascinating musical cocktails ever to come out of Israel. I hear polkas, reels, jigs, Breton marches and tunes that combine Eastern European and Middle Eastern influences with other elements from the vast field of ethnic music. The sounds are crisp, catchy, loaded with energy, played with virtuosity, full of life.
The studio CD serves as a wonderful appetizer to the second dish – a bonus live CD recorded in concerts with Irish musicians - fiddler Maire Breatnach, flute player Emer Mayock and piper John McSherry. Ehud Nathan, bouzouki and mandolin player and the main driving force of the band provides detailed information on this wonderful musical tapestry in the attached booklet – the tunes, the sets, the musicians etc.
Take this musical journey. It comes out of love of folk music and its textures and it illustrates the extraordinary proficiency of the composers/arrangers Ehud Nathan and Jonathan Keren. This is a concentrated extract of a very colorful world music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and more – in the tunes, the wonderful arrangements, and played with a rich variety of musical instruments – fiddle, flute and whistles, Irish bouzouki and mandolin, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, percussion and keyboards. Black Velvet plays Traditional Irish and Celtic music with a modern touch, and meets Israeli Ethnic music half way.
Yossi Hersonski – Yosmusic
The studio CD serves as a wonderful appetizer to the second dish – a bonus live CD recorded in concerts with Irish musicians - fiddler Maire Breatnach, flute player Emer Mayock and piper John McSherry. Ehud Nathan, bouzouki and mandolin player and the main driving force of the band provides detailed information on this wonderful musical tapestry in the attached booklet – the tunes, the sets, the musicians etc.
Take this musical journey. It comes out of love of folk music and its textures and it illustrates the extraordinary proficiency of the composers/arrangers Ehud Nathan and Jonathan Keren. This is a concentrated extract of a very colorful world music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and more – in the tunes, the wonderful arrangements, and played with a rich variety of musical instruments – fiddle, flute and whistles, Irish bouzouki and mandolin, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, percussion and keyboards. Black Velvet plays Traditional Irish and Celtic music with a modern touch, and meets Israeli Ethnic music half way.
Yossi Hersonski – Yosmusic
black velvet I cd reviews
As you listen to Black Velvet, you are filled with an appreciative respect for the players. It is clear that all the group members are serious musicians with a deep understanding and love of every aspect of the genre and have full mastery of their instruments.
One can also sense the abiding care that went into this album. Beautiful harmonies, meticulous arrangements and lots of room for nuances.
Avi Ephrati, "Tel Aviv"
When Black Velvet performed as Dervish's warm-up act at the Israel Festival, their professionalism and skill shone through brightly. Their blended style presents a rich mosaic, combining Irish, Breton and Balkan music. There was something genuine and refined in both their playing and performance. These attributes are clearly evident on their debut album, which comprises traditional pieces and, more interestingly – original material, composed by the band members. On the local traditional Irish music scene, Black Velvet come the closest to the real thing.
Amir Har'el, "Ha'aretz"
One can also sense the abiding care that went into this album. Beautiful harmonies, meticulous arrangements and lots of room for nuances.
Avi Ephrati, "Tel Aviv"
When Black Velvet performed as Dervish's warm-up act at the Israel Festival, their professionalism and skill shone through brightly. Their blended style presents a rich mosaic, combining Irish, Breton and Balkan music. There was something genuine and refined in both their playing and performance. These attributes are clearly evident on their debut album, which comprises traditional pieces and, more interestingly – original material, composed by the band members. On the local traditional Irish music scene, Black Velvet come the closest to the real thing.
Amir Har'el, "Ha'aretz"
Black Velvet is one of the best ethnic ensembles in Israel, one that takes its music seriously and profoundly, far beyond the standards of our Instant-culture.
Yuval Zohar, "Jerusalem"
A concert of Black Velvet – the band has been making captivating and richly influenced music for more than 30 years – offers both educated and casual listeners sheer delight.
Simone Wasserman, "Time Out"
Black Velvet has built up quite a following over the past twenty years, and the audience applauded the group's mix of Irish, Balkan and Israeli sounds enthusiastically.
Barry Davis, "Irish Music Magazine"
After two albums of Emer Mayock and one of Black Velvet, their renewed collaboration – four years after their first encounter – revealed a robust musical bond. Mayock's bright, exquisite sound was enthusiastically picked up by the Israeli band's present
line-up. In its many beautiful moments, the concert was a delightful event - further testimony of Irish music's ability to offer some real strength and consolation, even in these dark days.
Gidi Avivi, "Ha'aretz"
The Israeli band Black Velvet plays Celtic music with Balkan, Spanish and Mediterranean elements. The band is open to influences, yet stays distinctly loyal to Celtic music. The local band's collaboration with Irish musician Máire Breatnach sounds surprisingly authentic. The overriding added value of this concert is the seriousness and love with which Black Velvet and Máire approached their craft, an attitude that adds zest to the term “world Music”, with a combination of splendid arrangements and lots of fun.
Yossi Hersonski, "Ma'ariv"
Yuval Zohar, "Jerusalem"
A concert of Black Velvet – the band has been making captivating and richly influenced music for more than 30 years – offers both educated and casual listeners sheer delight.
Simone Wasserman, "Time Out"
Black Velvet has built up quite a following over the past twenty years, and the audience applauded the group's mix of Irish, Balkan and Israeli sounds enthusiastically.
Barry Davis, "Irish Music Magazine"
After two albums of Emer Mayock and one of Black Velvet, their renewed collaboration – four years after their first encounter – revealed a robust musical bond. Mayock's bright, exquisite sound was enthusiastically picked up by the Israeli band's present
line-up. In its many beautiful moments, the concert was a delightful event - further testimony of Irish music's ability to offer some real strength and consolation, even in these dark days.
Gidi Avivi, "Ha'aretz"
The Israeli band Black Velvet plays Celtic music with Balkan, Spanish and Mediterranean elements. The band is open to influences, yet stays distinctly loyal to Celtic music. The local band's collaboration with Irish musician Máire Breatnach sounds surprisingly authentic. The overriding added value of this concert is the seriousness and love with which Black Velvet and Máire approached their craft, an attitude that adds zest to the term “world Music”, with a combination of splendid arrangements and lots of fun.
Yossi Hersonski, "Ma'ariv"
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Photos: Gangi N'all that jazz
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