Woodstock redux in Jerusalem

August 7, 2010 - 9:46 PM by

The Woodstock Revival II, which took place on Thursday night at Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem, was just as much fun as the inaugural event a year ago.

Upwards of 1,000 mostly-English speaking Israelis of all ages hung out, partied, ate, drank, played frisbee and listened to a six-hour lineup of music that paid tribute to that golden 1960s era of rock & roll.

For most of us it was a chance to shake off the every-day attempts to live the hectic, aggressive Israeli life, and just mellow out on blankets, without crowding and converse in English, and it was a welcome respite, an oasis in a land of chaos.

Sponsored by the American Football in Israel association and the American Embassy, the event went off like clockwork, and the talent
was, for the most part, top notch. Of special note was the energetic Led Zeppelin set turned in by Claire Dane, a recent immigrant from the US, who performed with a great, young band of native Israelis called Graffiti.

And the show stopper was Yael Deckelbaum, the talented singer/songwriter and one third of Habanot Nechama, who performed a variety of material, focusing on the work of Janis Joplin. Deckelbaum was ably backed by another band of youn Israelis called Tree. They were actually much better as Big Brother and the Holding Company than they were earlier in the evening on their own when they paid tribute to The Who, where they tended to elongate the material with pointless loud jamming.

That was also the downside to some of the other acts including Mark Rashkow and Lazer Lloyd, who both lost whatever intensity they were building with too much soloing and lack of focus. Small points indeed, but much of the crowd seemed bored during the jamming, preferring the earlier singer/songwriter tributes to Simon and Garfunkle and Bob Dylan.

But music was only part of the attraction, just the atmosphere, the good beer and burgers, and the company were what it was all about. We’re already looking forward to next year.

Tags: , , , • Category: A New Reality, General, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life, Music, Pop Culture 

Comments

2 Comments on Woodstock redux in Jerusalem

  1. mark rashkow on Sun, Aug 8th 2010 8:56 AM

    2. David Brinn,
    I take issue with your review of my band at woodstock.
    Indeed, I have recieved over 70 e-mails, sms’s or cell calls raving about my bands performance at woodstock and, I spent 2 hours after the show answering questions, signing posters and giving thanks to those who showed appreciation for our performnance.
    With all due respect……
    Were you at the same show as these people???
    Mark Rashkow

  2. Larry & Mindy Fogel on Mon, Aug 9th 2010 8:05 AM

    3. We sure had a good time, and look forward to coming again next year!

    Larry & Mindy
    (Simon & Garfunkel)

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