I got several positive comments on the blog about Daklon. I guess people like Mizrachi music. And that brings me to a story about David. But first, an email I recieved:

"Thanks for keeping up to date with the old-timers. When will you interview Daklon? Those were the days! I have been in Jerusalem since 1973, baruch Hash-m. I enjoy Daklon, Haim Moshe, Shimi Tavori, Ofra Haza, Yardena Arazi, & other musical Mizrachi."

Now about David. Not the other David from my previous blog entry, but the one that does video production. He called me up the other day to ask if I knew any good Mizrachi music of a sentimental nature. He was making a memorial video for someone who passed away. This question almost stumped me. But after a couple minutes I came up with names like the ones mentioned above plus Zion Golan (his song Abba Shimon is covered by the Moshav Band) and Zohar Argov. I also recomended some David D'or and also the album Shaday by Ofra Haza which has an accapella track that is quite ethereal and haunting.

But then I had a thought and called him back. You see, people relatively new to Israel may know certain songs, but they didn't grow up with them and don't know the social context. Perhaps that one Daklon song was played at a high school graduation. Or maybe it was played non-stop on the radio, or it was used in a commercial. You have no idea what memories that song may bring up. I have heard American pop songs played in Israel which make me think "why on earth would they play THAT?" But how should they know what song is cheesy or shmaltzy?

Once I told a friend that I had just discovered Tzvika Pik and thought he was cool. They threatened never to talk to me again. What's wrong with Tzvika Pik? I may never know. But David reassured me that it would be ok and I shouldn't worry about it. He promised he wouldn't screw up the memorial video with the wrong song.

I was looking up Tzvika Pik to post here. There's a great one where he's wearing all white. But then I found this one by Shimi Tavori which I think is even better. Enjoy!