Ruth Fazal - I Remember

Published Friday 4th July 2014
Ruth Fazal - I Remember
Ruth Fazal - I Remember

STYLE: Ambient/Meditational
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 150681-22086
LABEL: Tributary Music 676868214028
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2014-04-01
RRP: £12.99

Reviewed by Stephen Luff

Canada's prolific exponent of meditational worship Ruth Fazel here continues the Hebraic theme of her previous album 'Hineli', this time focusing on the victims of the Holocaust. She writes in the album notes that most of the melodies were created spontaneously, they are also simple, played on just violin and keyboards. Four of the themes are based around the Psalms (131,139, 56 and 23) with Gil Pentzak reading the Scriptures over Ruth's sublime playing. The collection, recorded in Israel, opens with the superb "Arise", overflowing with emotion and quite frankly jaw-dropping violin playing. Another example is the slightly livelier "Shalom Aleichem". Jakie Young also provides a powerful vocal solo on "Ose Shalom". The titles and Psalms on the cover are written in both English and Hebrew. One minor quibble is some of the tracks are on the short side (15 tracks lasting around 35 minutes). However, the musicianship demonstrated here, along with the emotion expressed, will stay with the listener long after the album has finished.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Product Description
A violin CD with readings from the Psalms.

This CD was created as a gift, to bring healing to the hearts of Holocaust survivors. Soak in God’s presence and let him bring healing to your heart too.

Ruth says, "Recorded in Israel I Remember is my new CD that I created especially as a gift for the Holocaust Survivors that I play for here in Israel, and for all those that I will not have the opportunity to play for. I wanted to be able to give the gift of music and through that music, bring the comfort that only God Himself can bring to a broken heart. During my time here in Israel, I play for survivors in small groups, or in their homes, and because of that, I am often able to play over each person individually. The music that God gives to me to play at that moment is often very unique for each person. But, I play, and then sadly, the music is gone. I find myself asking, 'How can I play something that will remain with these dear people, who have suffered so much, and carry the pain of their past constantly in their hearts and minds?'

"That is when the idea came to me to create a recording that is especially for them. The music is a combination of totally spontaneous melodies, sometimes played on the violin alone, and sometimes with keyboard and the addition of some verses from the Psalms, read by Gil Pentzak, Jewish Orthodox Israeli. The CD concludes with a song that I wrote especially for survivors of the Holocaust. This song, In the Silence finishes with the words 'I cannot forget. I cannot forget my people Israel.'

"During my time here in Israel, I have been volunteering with an organisation called 'Abundant Hope International'. This is a small organisation with a big heart that is not so much focused on providing 'things' (although I would love to be able to do that more) but is about giving love and friendship, through visits, through caring conversation and helping with everyday concerns. This CD fits so much with the heart of what AHI is doing.

"I very much hope that this CD will 'pay its own way' and actually create even more provision to pass onto AHI, through the gifts of those of you who believe in the vision."

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