Only Simchahs!

No one has been more entrenched in the decades-old Jewish music landscape than Yisroel Lamm, who, beginning with his Neginah Orchestra more than 50 years ago, has been at the forefront of the Jewish wedding scene since. I asked him what he misses the most from bygone days. For Yisroel, that’s a no-brainer: “Softer music.”

He says that back in the day, the only amplification he would bring to a wedding was his set of two small handheld speakers. I’m sure he’s not the only one who misses those quieter times, when you could actually talk to the person sitting next to you and no one needed to bring earplugs.

When I ask my partner Suki Berry about the ever-changing music world, he comments that although the music today has become much more professional, he misses the audience participation of the people singing along.

Perhaps that has to do with what master keyboardist Tzvi Rada sees as the game changer: the iPad. Every musician is equipped with one in order to perfectly follow the scores, so that the music should be flawless. But that also means there’s no spontaneity or personal touch.