"Gesher’s self-titled debut is highly polished...has the range and sparkle of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical."
"In every generation there are great voices...Gesher just may be THE voice of its generation. Their music is more than song...it is the sprit of the Jewish people."
"Every song, every note and every beat of music breathes new life into an ancient prayer."
"Quite simply one of the most outstanding recordings of original Jewish music I've ever heard. The songs are moving. The production is first class. Michael Ochs and Daniel Leanse have created something truly extraordinary."
"The Gesher Shabbat Service is simply the most powerful and spiritual Shabbat I have EVER had the privilege to be a part of..."
"I am really impressed with the sensitivity that permeates your work. You start many of your pieces as if you are warming us all up with your gentleness, and then we are bathed in your use of harmony. My temple president came up to me after a beautiful Shabbat this weekend, where I introduced your 'Oseh Shalom,' and his exact words were: 'you moved me.' Thank you for pushing the walls of contemporary Jewish music. You are fantastic, and please God, will continue putting it out there. I will be listening and singing. Thank you for an amazing CD."
"First time I heard Gesher was in my car...I actually had to pull off the freeway 'cause every track gave me the chills. And, I even take it to the gym!"
"For an experience that is moving and magical, spiritual and soulful, all you need to do is have Gesher come to your congregation! I guarantee you an unforgettable Jewish musical moment in time!"
"With the arrival of 'Gesher,' Michael Ochs offers a generous and significant gift to the American Jewish community. Any synagogue that is striving to enhance both the majesty and the spirituality of its prayer will find this and more in Michael's expansive, yet deeply personal melodies. Many of us will credit Michael's songs as being among the building blocks with which we sought to create a 'bridge' between ourselves and our community, and between ourselves and God."
"...I love how the songs grow and change, but stay within the framework of an inspiring and moving collection for Shabbat. Daniel is a wonderful vocalist--strong and gentle all at once. I haven't heard anything this mature or heartfelt in a very long while, and will highly recommend it."
"I love the CD, GESHER. Michael Ochs did a fabulous job of producing and writing this great record!! I expect it to be one of those CD's you can't live without!!!"
"You will be uplifted! Told in ancient words yet the most contemporary of musical language, GESHER is a magical Shabbat experience to be enjoyed and inspiring for people of all ages and truly, all faiths.
"As we at Micah have been blessed by Michael and Daniel's talent at worship services in the synagogue, so now everyone can bring this spiritual experience of worship into their homes and lives. Our heartfelt thanks to these talented men..."
"As we at Micah have been blessed by Michael and Daniel's talent at worship services in the synagogue, so now everyone can bring this spiritual experience of worship into their homes and lives. Our heartfelt thanks to these talented men..."
"...lively and innovative. The weaving of English and Hebrew speaks to today's liberal congregations in a unique way. The quality of the CD itself - the voices, the instruments and the arrangements themselves, are superb."
"Music City USA went up another musical notch for Israel's 57th Anniversary. The concert, at the Gordon JCC in Israel's honor featuring Gesher was one of the most exciting evenings ever for the Nashville Jewish Community."
"I couldn't imagine what Ochs was working on for the past two years. All I can say is Gesher is well worth the wait. I can't get the songs out of my head. Bravo...or should I say, Mazel Tov?!"
"The concept is completely original, the melodies soar and the arrangements are absolutely beautiful. Truly something special."
Gesher CD Bridges Liturgy and Pop Music
By Drew Walen
Songwriter Michael Ochs has had multi-platinum success writing
inspirational music recorded by Contemporary Christian artists. But perhaps
nothing more reflects this New York-turned-Nashville-Jew¹s soul better than
his CD ³Gesher,² a collection of contemporary Jewish Sabbath prayers.
Featuring former Congregation Micah Cantorial Soloist Daniel Leanse ‹ who
performs most of the vocals and contributes some writing as well ‹ Gesher is
both the name of the CD and the duo of Leanse and Ochs. But the project
begins with Ochs, a Micah member and the congregation¹s piano player.
³Rabbi Kanter asked me to write a song for Sabbath services,² he said. ³I
was so used to writing for commercial purposes, it was so refreshing to have
no musical boundaries. The timing was so right. And it was really awesome to
write songs for temple after having had some real success, ironically in the
Christian music world.²
Ochs earned his Music Row credentials when his song ³On My Knees² garnered
the Nashville Songwriters Association International award for Song of the
Year and the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Song of the Year in
1998. Since then his music has been recorded by Jaci Velasquez, Eric
Heatherly, and The Wilkinsons, to name a few. He has also had songs
prominently featured in television shows ³Dawson¹s Creek,² ³Jack & Jill,²
³As the World Turns,² ³The Guiding Light,² and in the national advertising
campaign for Steven Spielberg¹s film ³The Terminal.²
However, after writing the one Sabbath song requested by the rabbi, Ochs
couldn¹t stop.
³It seemed natural to rewrite the service,² Ochs said. ³Daniel really pushed
me to get into the studio and record the music. I don¹t think he thought I
would spend two years devoted to it and put most of my songwriting career on
hold. My friends and co-writers in the business thought I had lost my mind
turning down writing trips to Sweden and Australia and turning down
opportunities to write with some wonderful artist for their albums. But I
always believe in doing something all the way, and my heart and mind were
consumed with this record.²
³Gesher,² which translates to ³bridges,² is truly a wonderful, inspired
piece of writing. While most of the text comes from liturgy, the music comes
from the souls of Leanse and Ochs. Opening the CD with ³L¹cha Dodi,² Leanse
sings a tender a cappella intro before a full band comes crashing in with a
funky bass line and crunchy guitars mixed with fiddle, drums and thick
background vocals. ³Candle Blessing,² a short and sweet rendition of the
Sabbath ritual features a playful mandolin and accordion arrangement with
guitars and percussion for a modern feel.
Then things rock out on ³Bar¹chu,² enter a realm of deep serenity with
³Sh¹ma,² and then absolutely mesmerize with a ripping Spanish guitar opening
to ³Mi Chamocha.² However, the real daring in writing and production for
Ochs comes on ³Yih¹yu L¹ratzon.² The second half of this R&B-flavored song
features vocalist Joshua M. Nelson, an African-American Jewish singer who
has made a name for himself in Gospel circles for his truly unique musical
expression you have to hear to believe. And finally, ³Oseh Shalom² is
another gospel-tinged creation featuring members of the Strong Tower Gospel
Choir, and closes out the CD with a cresting spiritual wave.
³ŒGesher¹ is really just a sincere effort to place the prayers in a new and
heartfelt musical setting,² Ochs remarked. ³I hope Jewish listeners will
feel this is a CD that they can listen to on Shabbat, but also in between
their Sting and Peter Gabriel and John Mayer CDs. And because the music is
so contemporary, it might invite people to listen to the prayers and find a
modern relevance and connect to their everyday lives. I also am excited that
non-Jews are loving the CD as well. I¹ve been asked to play at several
churches as Christians are trying to reconnect with their Jewish roots.²
It is the ability of this music to connect across religious lines that led
to the outpouring of artistic support in a city known for its mercenary
musicians. Pianist extraordinaire Matt Rollings, as well as legendary fiddle
player Jonathan Yudkin, are featured prominently throughout the CD. Other
star musicians include Kenny Greenberg, David Pomeroy, and Jerry Kimbrough,
among others.
The CD is available at www.geshermusic.com. r
Songwriter Michael Ochs has had multi-platinum success writing
inspirational music recorded by Contemporary Christian artists. But perhaps
nothing more reflects this New York-turned-Nashville-Jew¹s soul better than
his CD ³Gesher,² a collection of contemporary Jewish Sabbath prayers.
Featuring former Congregation Micah Cantorial Soloist Daniel Leanse ‹ who
performs most of the vocals and contributes some writing as well ‹ Gesher is
both the name of the CD and the duo of Leanse and Ochs. But the project
begins with Ochs, a Micah member and the congregation¹s piano player.
³Rabbi Kanter asked me to write a song for Sabbath services,² he said. ³I
was so used to writing for commercial purposes, it was so refreshing to have
no musical boundaries. The timing was so right. And it was really awesome to
write songs for temple after having had some real success, ironically in the
Christian music world.²
Ochs earned his Music Row credentials when his song ³On My Knees² garnered
the Nashville Songwriters Association International award for Song of the
Year and the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Song of the Year in
1998. Since then his music has been recorded by Jaci Velasquez, Eric
Heatherly, and The Wilkinsons, to name a few. He has also had songs
prominently featured in television shows ³Dawson¹s Creek,² ³Jack & Jill,²
³As the World Turns,² ³The Guiding Light,² and in the national advertising
campaign for Steven Spielberg¹s film ³The Terminal.²
However, after writing the one Sabbath song requested by the rabbi, Ochs
couldn¹t stop.
³It seemed natural to rewrite the service,² Ochs said. ³Daniel really pushed
me to get into the studio and record the music. I don¹t think he thought I
would spend two years devoted to it and put most of my songwriting career on
hold. My friends and co-writers in the business thought I had lost my mind
turning down writing trips to Sweden and Australia and turning down
opportunities to write with some wonderful artist for their albums. But I
always believe in doing something all the way, and my heart and mind were
consumed with this record.²
³Gesher,² which translates to ³bridges,² is truly a wonderful, inspired
piece of writing. While most of the text comes from liturgy, the music comes
from the souls of Leanse and Ochs. Opening the CD with ³L¹cha Dodi,² Leanse
sings a tender a cappella intro before a full band comes crashing in with a
funky bass line and crunchy guitars mixed with fiddle, drums and thick
background vocals. ³Candle Blessing,² a short and sweet rendition of the
Sabbath ritual features a playful mandolin and accordion arrangement with
guitars and percussion for a modern feel.
Then things rock out on ³Bar¹chu,² enter a realm of deep serenity with
³Sh¹ma,² and then absolutely mesmerize with a ripping Spanish guitar opening
to ³Mi Chamocha.² However, the real daring in writing and production for
Ochs comes on ³Yih¹yu L¹ratzon.² The second half of this R&B-flavored song
features vocalist Joshua M. Nelson, an African-American Jewish singer who
has made a name for himself in Gospel circles for his truly unique musical
expression you have to hear to believe. And finally, ³Oseh Shalom² is
another gospel-tinged creation featuring members of the Strong Tower Gospel
Choir, and closes out the CD with a cresting spiritual wave.
³ŒGesher¹ is really just a sincere effort to place the prayers in a new and
heartfelt musical setting,² Ochs remarked. ³I hope Jewish listeners will
feel this is a CD that they can listen to on Shabbat, but also in between
their Sting and Peter Gabriel and John Mayer CDs. And because the music is
so contemporary, it might invite people to listen to the prayers and find a
modern relevance and connect to their everyday lives. I also am excited that
non-Jews are loving the CD as well. I¹ve been asked to play at several
churches as Christians are trying to reconnect with their Jewish roots.²
It is the ability of this music to connect across religious lines that led
to the outpouring of artistic support in a city known for its mercenary
musicians. Pianist extraordinaire Matt Rollings, as well as legendary fiddle
player Jonathan Yudkin, are featured prominently throughout the CD. Other
star musicians include Kenny Greenberg, David Pomeroy, and Jerry Kimbrough,
among others.
The CD is available at www.geshermusic.com. r
"This CD is more than just a record, it is an event..."
