SHABBAT EVENING WITH SIMON & GARFUNKEL & KLEPPER
Joel N. Eglash

Having a meaningful, spiritual Shabbat at home is important to many of us. Through music, you can set the perfect mood, especially for Friday evening – but what music in particular? Does it have to be the same old fluff (oh no, not The Challah In Song or Borei P'ri HaKlezmer again…!)? With Shabbat in liberal Jewish homes, it's time to think outside of the box.

Don't disqualify those albums not in the Jewish section of your CD rack. They can make the evening even more spiritual. Many artists have shaped their music with the intent of projecting a soothing feeling. James Taylor, for example, often said that his primary creative purpose was to relax and slow down his listening audience. What is our primary goal in observing the Sabbath? To relax and slow down – and to make the 7^th day of the week different from the others by separating it. To make this gift even greater, I suggest mixing some of the amazing music we have from some of our secular favorites with fresh, new Jewish music.

Here are some recommendations of songs or whole albums that will help in creating a Shabbat evening mood:

• Shower The People (James Taylor, 1975). In fact, the whole of James Taylor's Greatest Hits (1976) makes for a reflective Shabbat evening.
• Tomorrow the Green Grass (The Jayhawks, 1995, LP). This beautifully written album combines the relaxed temperament of later country-rock influenced Byrds albums with the introspection of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska.
• Take It Easy (The Eagles, 1976 – Greatest Hits). The title says it all!
• The Only Living Boy In New York (Simon & Garfunkel, 1970), and for that matter, the album it resides on – Bridge Over Troubled Water, S&G's swan song. Like their earlier song Feelin' Groovy (The 59^th Street Bridge Song), the protagonist enjoys a day with nothing to do.
• Silent In The Morning (Phish, 1993), from the LP Rift. A beautifully meditative and complex pop composition that tugs the ol' kishka strings.
• Something To Believe In (Steve Miller Band, 1973), from the LP The Joker. A lullaby for adults, with a soothing, gorgeous steel guitar part and reflective lyrics.
• Watching The Wheels (John Lennon, 1980), from the LP Double Fantasy. About separating from routine or something mainstream – sound familiar?
• Theme From Mo' Better Blues and Flying (Branford Marsalis Quartet (1990), The Beatles (1967) respectively). These amazing instrumental songs and others like them can sometimes carry you higher than songs with lyrics.
• Sail Away (Randy Newman, 1972, LP). Randy's wit and respect for the quality of each song and the album as a whole puts him above most other singer-songwriters. On this classic album, he sets aside the backing band and concentrates on voice-piano – which makes for an extremely powerful, yet intimate sound.
• Ripple (Grateful Dead, 1970), from the LP American Beauty. This will set a mood quickly for your Shabbat. A happy, relaxed mood.

And here are some recommendations of recent Jewish music that you can mix in for some forspice (appetizers) and warm, Jewish feelings:

• In This Place (Jeff Klepper, 1997, LP). His use of acoustic folk instrumentation really makes the pensive mood of this album. It is a wonderful, warm exploration of personal Judaism. www.TranscontinentalMusic.com
• Notes From The Underground (Eric Komar, 2003, LP). An emerging Jewish singer-songwriter-performer, Eric mixes stirring power ballads with soft jazz-influenced moments of musical meditation. www.komarmusic.com
• Vzamru (Laura Berkson, 2000, LP). Laura is a gem of a songwriter, singer and instrumentalist. She spins beautiful Jewish tales with sparse but effective instrumentation and classic melodies. www.TranscontinentalMusic.com
• Shabbat Anthology Volume I (Various Artists, 2003, LP). The musical styles of these 28 Shabbat songs range from classic liturgical works like Ben Steinberg's Oseh Shalom to Bruce Benson's contemporary ballad Adonai Li. Pay particular attention to Shirona's Ki Eilecha. www.TranscontinentalMusic.com
• Sabbatical (Rabbi Joe Black, 2003, LP). The reb's latest is his best adult album yet, a mixture of American fingerstyle guitar prowess and witty takes on contemporary Jewish life. www.SoundsWrite.com
• Jewish Songs For Classical Guitar (Fred Fastow, 2001, LP). You can set your CD player on ‘repeat' with this collection of 25 Jewish folk songs, which sets the perfect mellow mood. Fred plays a jazz-classical style of guitar that results in soothing, even tones - perfect background music. www.TranscontinentalMusic.com

Having music on in the background as you prepare, as you eat and then relax can create atmosphere better than almost any other means. Also, try not watching any TV. If you have kids, read them a book instead of showing them a movie (for tots, try Transcontinental Music's Shabbat Shalom book and CD). Expose them to this music that is good for their – and your - system. By doing these and other small acts, you are separating Shabbat from the rest of the week.Living as an actively Jewish person in this world is often difficult. This is an easy way to combine both of your worlds. Music often represents the best of us; and on Shabbat, it can mean even more by establishing the mood. Oh - and please, no more Shloyme & The Kipahs Of The Faith Play Timeless Jewish Classics.