New York – Marking 30th Anniversary, Music Superstar Avraham Fried Asks VIN Readers For Feedback In Exclusive Interview[series 2]

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    Brooklyn, NY – While Avraham Fried has released over thirty albums, in this second segment of the video interview celebrating his thirtieth anniversary in the music business, he recalls his earliest days as a child singer. His first audience, perhaps, was his next door neighbor, the wife of the Alter Rebbe, who used to ask the five year old Avremel to sing for her. He went on to sing on Amudai Shaish, Sdei Chemed and a Suki and Ding wedding album.

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    It is clear that much has changed in the past thirty years, and Fried describes how Jewish music has evolved over that time, going from the typical Chassidic sound of the 80’s to the vast array of styles that are around today. While Fried seems very comfortable embracing the new sounds and performers that make up the Jewish music scene today, including his nephews, 8th Day and Benny Friedman, he clearly has very strong feeling on the subject of performers using secular music on their albums. Taking a strong stance on a controversial topic, Fried unequivocally states that, in his opinion, attempting to kasher secular music by using Jewish words is wrong and not something he ever plans to do.

    While Mordechai Ben David may have been the one to inspire Avraham Fried to become a singer, it is clear that he has found his own niche in Jewish music. Aside from a long list of Moshiach-themed songs, some hopeful and upbeat, some poignant and heartfelt, “pieces” like Tanya and Aderaba are among his biggest hits. Despite his mission to entertain and inspire Klal Yisroel, Fried has a special place in his heart for songs that were made popular by other singers that have clearly inspired him.

    In a very rare opportunity, Avraham Fried offers the listening public the chance to shape the future of Jewish music, asking VIN readers to give him feedback so that he has a better idea of what his fans want to hear, promising to read the comments on this post and, if possible, respond to them.

    Watch below Part 2

    In case you missed Part 1 see here

    The final interview segment 3 will be posted tomorrow

    Old photos from Freid below


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    117 Comments
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    lol
    lol
    13 years ago

    wife of the alter rebbe? thats definitly not right.

    Levi
    Levi
    13 years ago

    Wife of the Alter Rebbe? Wow he must be old.

    methinx
    methinx
    13 years ago

    People may debate who is the greatest Frum singer. As for singer/composers Fried has no equals.

    fried fan
    fried fan
    13 years ago

    Avrom I just love ur music/singing, I have every tape/CD you sing on, even just one song, Keep it up.
    Can’t wait for the next 30 CD.

    Tanna Kamma
    Tanna Kamma
    13 years ago

    Avremel, please bring us back to the good olden days: the Y”T Erlich nigunim, Chabad etc. which have a yiddishe taam. You have an amazing ability to be “mechayeh meisim” these ancient treasures.
    Also, can you do some more like the ‘zemiros’ collection you did with your family, everyone I speak to is stunned by it’s beauty & simplicity, we implore you for more!!

    my2cents
    my2cents
    13 years ago

    Dear Rw Avrohom;
    Thank You for taking a strong stand against mixing foreign influences into our treasured Nigunim. Since you request feedback, I’ll take the liberty to quote the Sefer Chreidim, which I believe embodies the essence of what song is meant to do: In the end of Perek 7 he writes
    “שאחד מן הענפים היקרים (של מצות אהבת ה”) שבהתלהבת החשק ישיר האוהב שיר ידידות לפניו”…… וכן כתב רשב”י ואהבת דבעי בר נש לאתקשרא בי’ ברחימותא דכל פולחנא עילאה דבעי בר נש למפלח לקודשא בריך הוא דיפלח ברחימו דלית לך פולחנא כמו רחימותא דקודשא בריך הוא”

    R’ Avrohom-Please sing songs that bring us closer to Hashem, songs of חשק and of Deveikus.

    Stand strong in the face of those who lack appreciation for the invaluable treasures of our Heritage!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    One of my favorites…Hashem gave him an incredible gift.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    His first audience, perhaps, was his next door neighbor, the wife of the Alter Rebbe, who used to ask the five year old Avremel to sing for her??????

    Not possible.

    Fellow Lubavitcher
    Fellow Lubavitcher
    13 years ago

    Avremel Thanks to you you have made Chabad Niggunim known to the rest of the world your albums are beautiful. Maybe you can bring back some oldies but goodies I&#8 217;ve seen recently you have brought no Jew what about the return, never alone, We Are Ready, kaney leshimcha, Venikeisi, Yedid Nefesh, etc. My favorite album is by far no Jew. there are no words to describe the warmth in your voice.
    P.S. you forgot to mention your solo you had on Nichoach vol. #8 vehi sheamda.
    May you have much Hatzlacha in your singing and keep leading the way for the jewish music world and bring Moshiach Now!

    Pcture # 3???
    Pcture # 3???
    13 years ago

    Is that picture in CGI Parksville?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    ער זינגט מיט הארץ

    idea
    idea
    13 years ago

    i would try a new style. i appreciated very much what benny freidman brought to the table.
    most Jewish music sounds way too similar.
    I truly believe AF could be so much more. I feel he is wasting away such talent. why does matisyahu excel and AF…well stay the same. it’s probably /c he doesn’t have a manager that can take him to the next level.

    Big Fan
    Big Fan
    13 years ago

    Dear R’ Avremel,

    May you have continued success gezunterheit un freilicherheit larichas yomim vshonim tovos.
    Perhaps you can re-record some oldies some oldies from the first albums. The oldies on your ‘Live in Israel’ are fantastic as well as the rest of the songs on the album.
    Maybe you can record an album with MBD.

    Keep us listening, singing and dancing Leolam voed.

    A grateful fan

    Music Lover
    Music Lover
    13 years ago

    I cant ever get enough of the good old lebediga songs! When listening to Avraham I have to say its always the old albums. They have a special touch about them!

    Yossi
    Yossi
    13 years ago

    The wife of the Freidiker Rebbe is more like it,
    Avremal I don’t know if it is possible to do better then you already do, you have given
    me endless hours of immense enjoyment thank you.

    Chazak v’emutz for the next 30 years.

    Avi
    Avi
    13 years ago

    Not the alter rebbe the friediker rebbe the previuos one which was niftar 1949 so I think

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    When I have a roughday, I just listen to your singing,

    Wrong Rebbe
    Wrong Rebbe
    13 years ago

    The correct information is the Rebbe ZYA’s mother (-1964, Crown Heights) and not the Alter Rebbe’s mother (-mid 1700’s, Russia).

    Yasher Koach
    Yasher Koach
    13 years ago

    Well if you want my humble opinion, you are doing a great job and I absolutely love your music and energy! Your performances could use a bit more action then getting in a squat position and making a fist with your hand… I think this new shtick of playing with your voice is a bit overused and overdone. Your hebrew songs are beyond words and I wish you’d make many many more hebrew songs. The english songs are also very very nice. You don’t have to try to be “cool” on stage – everyone loves the original, real Avremel. Each niggun you sing familiarizes the world with our Rebbes beautiful niggunim, so yasher koach and please continue! And most importantly keep smiling and bringing joy to the world.

    Mr Singer
    Mr Singer
    13 years ago

    Dear R. Avrum I love yur cds u manage to bring back those who went to listen to foreign music, u r able to penetrate deep with yur voice, don’t be afraid make a series of “chosidisha Fpbrangen” where u sing along with a group of chosidim. All the chobod negunim after all these songs talk a lot, Hlushen za kulmes hlev Vhoshir za kulmes hnefesh I love yankel yankel.
    Especially today were we have some so called himesha singers and import foreign songs under so called theme to be me’somiech and kirev, only u have the ability to over shadow with our chosidisha songs, especially chabad negunim (btw im not chobod) in other words eer lerent git fur dem nigun, thanx for the past and a request for the future chosidisha fobrangen series,
    And in this zchus that u awaken the soul we should all have a speedy redemption momush NOW.

    itchy
    itchy
    13 years ago

    didnt you love sholom aleicham from r’ shmuel also?

    itzy szimonowitz
    itzy szimonowitz
    13 years ago

    I always enjoyed your vissits to HASC summer camp. Please come again.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Dear avremel
    as a music lover in general, & your music in particuler, I would love to thank you for your outstanding work you brought into jewish music.
    one comment, I think that after so many years, you should spend a little more time to thank your co-worker Yossi Green, while there’s many composers you took songs from, included some of your own, there’s no doubt that he pushed you to higher levels with his unreal beautifull songs, all the way from no jew, tanya, t’kah & so so so so much more.
    HAKURAS HATOIV

    Harvard
    Harvard
    13 years ago

    Avromele keep up, more Chabad more YT Ehrliche style you can do it and noone else can.

    Reuven
    Reuven
    13 years ago

    Avraham, you often sing duets with others at your concerts. It would be wonderful for you to make an album of duets with the other greats, Shloime Cohen, Isaac Honig, Michoel Schnitzler, and others.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Ur the best!

    gus
    gus
    13 years ago

    avremel the slower more hartige niggunim are what the world needs now. there is enough rocked up “jewish” music out there. An avraham fried english classics cd would be great. not reworked, just resung.all the golden oldies brought back for the next generation. a new an around the year cd?! a nusach hatifila cd may also be very much enjoyed by the oilam.

    B Kaye
    B Kaye
    13 years ago

    Each of your albums is a gem on its own, with a style of its own, although you do have a general overall style. Each time I listen to an old album I feel a combination of nostalgia and excitement. You manage to give style and taste to songs which are often close to extinction. I really appreciate your work and all the input it takes.
    I wouldnt mind a couple albums of the old english songs (i.e. the english collection) and an ivrit collection.

    May hashem give you many years of gezunt and parnassah for you and your family and may you continue being mesameach klal yisroel for many years to come.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Avreiml, see there is a trend here, as you might know,VIN’s readers are from across the board, ranging from shtreimelech to uncovered, and therefore the feedback from VIN has a lot to say.

    What we see from most comments is, that the public in general wants you to bring back music of old.

    Hatzlacha.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    hatzlacha ubracha 

    he must be a good guy 30 years no scandals!

    wow keep it up zeitz matzliach

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Tanya is the best song ever. I want more of those. I hate the ones that are the ruach of the street.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Avermel,

    Out of all the work you’ve RECENTLY done, I and my family especially loved the work you did with Zalman Goldstein at the Chabad Centennial Symphony (I think that’s what it was called). It was the massive symphony in Manhattan in 2002 that played Chabad songs exclusivly.

    Now that was a class act! There you shined! That’s your shlichus. Not jazzy numbers or trying to copy goyishe singers like streisand et all.

    Avremal, we love you and wish you another 30 golden years going uphill (maalin bakodeh) and not the other way, CH”V.

    Zalman Goldstein had the right idea and continues to stay aidel and makes music with yiddishe taam. Maybe get together with him again or just learn what worked from him.

    Emes never falls.

    Make us proud!

    Of course you already do 😉 !!

    I
    I
    13 years ago

    1) keep saying a small vort by concerts, turns the gathering into a mitzvah
    2) when is the album with kumutz alef ah, torah the besta secorah, coming out?
    3) have a program where if a cd is damaged and sends it back to you, they can get a new one for free, or at least a free download. i think this will also cut back on illegal copying.
    hatzlacha

    Jewish music fan
    Jewish music fan
    13 years ago

    Wow who can belive it 30 years?! Anyway since you want our feedback well try to. you were really great on live in israel.. The kumzits style where you sing all those oldies. is something out of this world!! something you cant discribe on plane paper! But there is something witch does bother me… Why dont you do something like: together with big singers like: the king Mbd himself why was there very few performances with you and him together?! I think you together would really hit it off like everybody saw yesterday by the parade!!!

    Chaim
    Chaim
    13 years ago

    We would love to hear an english only cd

    avi
    avi
    13 years ago

    Dear avremel=correction arukah was produeced by sheya mendlowits

    Inspiration
    Inspiration
    13 years ago

    Create songs that can be listened to in the morning or after you had a bad day that can uplift you, and start the day strong or sooth your troubles.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Avrohom,

    I have some composed a few new songs which I thought might interest you. How can I contact you?

    Roz
    Roz
    13 years ago

    Are you kidding me Avraimel?? Is it 30 years already??? Wasn’t it just yesterday that we played punch ball in front of your parents house?
    You should be Zocha to have the Koach and Gezunt to be M’hana the Velt with your amazing G-d given talents!
    And don’t change a thing, we love you as you are.
    Is it really 30 years K”IH??? Chazak!!!!!!!

    Aspiring Baal Tefillah
    Aspiring Baal Tefillah
    13 years ago

    I would LOVE an album of Nusach for Shabbos and Yom Tov. Shlomo Simcha made one some years back and I love it. I think you can do one with your own flavor and “taam.” For me, that could be amazing!

    af fan
    af fan
    13 years ago

    I luv the hartz and gefil you put in your song, just keep it up, I of course would like to hear more chassidisheh niggunim . I wish you would make more cds of only weddding/dancing music so that we can excersize to the kosherest music.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Would love an all english cd since I love each and every one of your english songs.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I was by one of your concerts you announced there will be a English CD coming out you sang a English song don’t remember the name but something about fire it was beautiful what happened to the CD?

    Inspired
    Inspired
    13 years ago

    R’ Avremel Shlit”a

    You have touched many hearts, and your powerful voice has had far reaching effects (speaking from experience). I love your oldies (Retzei, Aderaba, Ad Heina, Tekah, Tanya; just to name a few) and I would love some more of these Hartzige Yiddishe Niggunim Molei Taam.

    May you be zoche to continue to be Mehane Klal Yisroel through your golden talent, until the coming of Moshiach and you singing for all of us there.

    Truly yours,
    You’ve Inspired me more than once

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    the birchas kohanim on the last tape. was amazing

    shaya dov
    shaya dov
    13 years ago

    we love all your music hasham should bless you till 120

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Thank you for enteraining me for all these years! My favorite song is probably Ki Loi Sachpoitz!

    Ari
    Ari
    13 years ago

    Great interview of a real Jewish star! Thanks, VIN.

    If I were a manager, I would suggest that AF go on tour with, or record songs with, a younger, unknown protege who can bring in a new generation of fans. As for musical style, don’t change much — you can still hit the high notes like no one else can.

    Fried Fan
    Fried Fan
    13 years ago

    My family and I are huge fans of Avraham Fried! When I was growing up, every Friday afternoon, my father would bring home a new tape for all of us to enjoy.(Those were the days of actual TAPES!) I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that I think over 90% of the tapes he brought were Avraham Fried’s; each and every song of every album was simply beautiful and inspiring. We have boxes and boxes of music tapes from years long ago, and AF, you’re hits are proudly included! Classy, hartzig, and memorable – Avremel, there is good reason that you are the leader of Jewish music worldwide! Keep up the good work and Keep the music coming for the next 30 years!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I generally prefer secular music of the 60s-70s, but always had a thrill when listening to many of AF’s songs: Ki HaMitzvah, Aderabah, Hashamayim, Ya’akov, Emes Atah Hu Rishon, etc. I felt the music really came from the heart and didn’t get that feeling from MBD and others.