New York, NY – Mordechai Ben David on Jewish Music, Rabbinic Bans And Lipa

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    New York, NY – In a Motzei Yom Kippur radio interview on Talkline Communications Network with Zev Brenner, Chasidic superstar Mordechai Ben David spoke about his final album, what he sees as the death of the entire music industry and his thoughts on the rabbinic bans against concerts.

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    MBD reiterated what he first told VIN News, that his latest album, Kisufim, will be his final album as the Jewish music industry is plagued by the same hardships as the secular music industry, illegal copying and downloads, making producing a financially successful album almost an impossible task. According to MBD, many of the big secular music labels have closed down because people don’t want to pay for music if they can get it for free and he doesn’t see how Jewish recording artists will manage to circumvent this problem.

    Brenner asked MBD what his thoughts were on rabbinic bans against concerts and MBD stated unequivocally, “I believe that any one of those Rabbis, if they would really know what it was all about, they would never say what they said.”

    MBD explained that he believes that many of the signatures on the bans are bogus and that those that are authentic were obtained either by rabbonim who were coerced to sign by “machers” and “wannabe’s” or who were lied to.

    Asked how he counters these bans MBD replied “I don’t. I ignore it. I do what my rabbis tell me.”

    MBD praised fellow singer Lipa Schmeltzer, who authored the lyrics to Kisufim, the title track of the album, saying that despite having faced a rabbinic ban of his own several years ago, Schmeltzer has enjoyed continued success, using his talents both in the world of music and in the world of chessed.

    MBD quoted a medrash on Shlomo Hamelech’s words “Elokim yivakesh es hanirdaf,” Hakadosh Baruch Hu seeks out the persecuted, saying that those who are persecuted will merit Divine assistance, even if those are doing the persecuting might be righteous people.

    The interview with MBD starts at minute 39:40


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    35 Comments
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    12 years ago

    Nebech ‘frum’ Yidden cheat the singers and record companies. How about the rabbonim putting a ban on that?

    Darek
    Darek
    12 years ago

    Interesting that briskman continues to release top quality cds, schwekey and boruch levine more recently, these are beautiful albums with real music, not a guitar strumming (with some fake accordions) for most of the album as in the new MBD cd.

    cholent
    cholent
    12 years ago

    MBD, we will miss you. And yes, the good oldies, Hineini, the double album, Yerushalayim not for sale, Just one shabbos, Hold on, are all time classics. If you can make some more like Nigunei bais abba, which is just a collection with hartz, it shouldn’t be that expensive and will be another smash.
    One question: If you think that the Rabbanim don’t get it, why don’t you meet them? If you think that they were forged, why don’t you call them??
    Thanks for the memories.
    P.S. I vote ribbono shel olam by Mona as the best shtickel ever done by MBD.

    RimnitzNews
    RimnitzNews
    12 years ago

    MBD was mashbak from highly rimmtzer rebbe ztkl.for many years,together with his close freind moshe berkowitz,when world is gavan world ..

    Exclusive on new cd from the King of Jewish Music he is singing highly nigan ‘hazkiri’ from rimnitzr rebbe zu”e.

    mrbrklyn
    mrbrklyn
    12 years ago

    I don’t think Rav Avraham Schorr can be described as ignorant.

    DrMSPhD
    DrMSPhD
    12 years ago

    Fellow VIN’ers: Maybe you can help me answer these questions:
    A) If as MBD says “producing a financially successful album is almost an impossible task” how is it that there are more Jewish artists/albums than say 20 years ago?
    B) How rampant is illegal downloading of Jewish music on the net? With secular, there are statistics backed up by the RIAA and other industry groups. How does MBD know that illegal downloading is prevalent in the Jewish community?
    C) Does MBD actually think that secular labels can be compared to Jewish labels? Comparing multimillion dollar operations to Aderet and Samach who are infinitely smaller?
    D) Is it possible that a) the people that are into exclusively Jewish music just don’t like what’s out there (and therefore just don’t buy anything or are buying less) and b) the people that are into both secular and Jewish music are just sticking to the secular because of the worldly influences (and therefore they are also buying less Jewish) – so both groups of customers are buying less Jewish music!
    E) As many people here probably know – there is barely Jewish music on filesharing sites
    My tip to Aderet and Sameach: SELL ALL NEW AND OLD ALBUMS ON ITUNES

    CSLMoish
    CSLMoish
    12 years ago

    Reason why so many singers still produce albums is as on singer put it to me “its an expensive business card!” They do a lot of wedding singing which is a profitable enterprise. MBD complains about stealing music which is prevalent however his cd’s have not been very great in the last decade that’s probably mostly the reason for the sownturn for as I remember correctly copying casettes were as simple back in the day and as common. Reason Lipa is so successful is because he is a clown and first jewish singer to do vid clips. Since the frum community does not have a very high bar for entertainment ( read uncle moishy) he was successful.

    yankle
    yankle
    12 years ago

    Of course he’s going to reply pro music artists. Stop overcharging for CDs and people will buy them. 20 dollars for a CD, not everyone feels like they want it that badly. Besides I don’t think the internet plays a big role in Jewish music bring downloaded illegally, I think it is mostly copying from friends, which always was done with cassettes.

    AronM
    AronM
    12 years ago

    there definitely is copying going on in our community like in any other community, but I also agree with the commenter that they do not embrace new technology. You can barely find any jewish music on amazon or any other popular music site.

    I think they believe by not encouraging eMusic, people will stick to CDs and cassettes which is not so easy to copy.

    The whole music industry is changing. Reb duvid Werdiger – MBD’s father was a pioneer in jewish music when he started making records.

    I believe MBD is still the king of jewish media even though he cannot reach the high notes, his style is still amazing and he could still be relevant.

    What a shame!

    Sol-Sol
    Sol-Sol
    12 years ago

    MBD you are the Best of the Best!! Mordcha Hatzadik, “Many more happy days are coming we will all still listen to you, we will be singing dancing laughing just to name a few, Miracle Amazing Wonders like No one’s ever seen before, MBD your Hatzlocha is written all over the wall you can be rest assure!!!!!

    PchaFresser
    PchaFresser
    12 years ago

    The reason it’s a tough business is because it’s a saturated market. There are so many singers and albums and singles to choose from and every yeshiva guy left and right is putting out professional music.
    The Kollel Era is unfortunately coming to an end and people are gonna have to get real jobs.

    12 years ago

    Why don ‘t they sell songs instead of cd’s? I know that would mean every song has to be a hit instead of just 2 or 3 over the course of the whole CD. But that would put more pressure on them to come out with hi quality songs while helping consumers save money. Plus, I think if a song was sold and can be downloaded for say $ 2.99 more people would pay 2.99 instead of the astronomical price of $17 a CD.Plus they were be less stealing and copying if you can just pay $2.99 in a mutar way.

    Attorney
    Attorney
    12 years ago

    Harav Mordcha you are a Great Tzaddik!!!!!!!!!!! Klal Yisroel will miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    YochidVrabim
    YochidVrabim
    12 years ago

    Answer to comment 9. I have to do this in pieces since its way over the limit. please wait till its complete. I have answered all your questions.

    A) The reason there are more today is that to “knock out a CD” is overall not as expensive or complicated today as it was 20 years ago. however, that does not mean any of most of the many cds that come out today are even close to the classics of MBD and FRIED from the 80s and 90s. In fact, it harms the big picture because for every ten terrible newbies throwing together a badly made CD, it makes people not to want to try out the 1 or 2 actual good new fresh talent.

    A2) Still, it cost anywhere from 40,000 to 120,000 to make a quality jewish cd, and many new singers find an invester who either loses his money or just makes it back. The reason to make this huge investment which is almost always a loss, is because either they or the bands that hire them can raise a singers price significantly if he has cds out. (and his own hits …)

    YochidVrabim
    YochidVrabim
    12 years ago

    reply 2:

    B) It’s impossible to know for sure how bad it is, but unlike secular music (or maybe in addition) the bulk of Jewish copying comes from two sources.

    1) People lending their CDs to their friends who burn it on to their computers (this includes yeshivas and seminaries throughout the world. 1 bochur will buy a cd, and 60 boys in the yeshiva burn it on their ipods) 2) Message Boards/Forums that are password protected and hidden from plain view. I myself have come across over a dozen of such sites. One Jewish music download forum had a system in place where to reveal the download link you needed to write a comment. This enabled me to see how many “downloads” each album got illegally. One album had over 1500 comments. (That was about average for most new releases)

    C) You are right, the secular labels lose 100’s of millions, and the Jewish labels loses 100’s of thousands (per cd). Explain to me what difference this makes? Is it only stealing if the loss is in the 100’s of millions?

    YochidVrabim
    YochidVrabim
    12 years ago

    Reply 3:

    D) Asbsolutetly, There are two types of people who buy Jewish Music. Those whose only entertainment comes from Heimish things (aka Mishpcha magazine and Jewish Music) and people who also like secular music. Which is also a reason the more “funky” Jewish Music (or creative albums) don’t sell well. Why buy a cutting edge Jewish cd, when you could buy a cutting edge secular cd, something they can’t compete with) But the truth is, good music sells, case in point, Shwekey, and now, 8th Days Yalili CD, which has been selling as well as the best Jewish artists in the last 10 years.

    YochidVrabim
    YochidVrabim
    12 years ago

    Last piece of reply:

    E) Please see my comments regarding forums and passing cds to friends. THis is much worse in the Yiddish velt, where we are so much smaller, and therefore burned cds spread quicker amongst friends. Again, especially in Yeshivas.

    E2) I don’t understand the desperation to buy Jewish CDs on a goyishe music platform. Is anywhere insisting that Cholov Yisroel milk companies should sell milk in Target? Or that Borders should be selling Seforim? What is the rush to send ourselves and our children to the same site that sells all kinds of Goyish music. Music with curse words, lyrics about priztzes, cd covers with women barely dressed. Tell me, do you want to send your Yeshiva age 18 year old son to iTunes to buy latest MBD, and along the way he sees Beyonces latest album, cover art, music samples right there?

    E3) Almost all Jewish labels now sell downloads. I hope that the extra 2 dollars (120 cents) for the download from .99 to 11.99 does not somehow convince your yetzer hara that stealing is justified. I’d hate to think someones soul is literally worth 2 bucks.

    12 years ago

    After all said and done MBD’s Berosh hashana song is totally explainable and unforgivable.
    It is so contrary to any yiddishe spirit its a disgrace.

    Shtarker
    Active Member
    Shtarker
    12 years ago

    Let’s be clear: MBD is one of the most talented artists created by Hashem. Every contemporary performer owes their success in part to the pioneering achievements of Rav Mordechai. It’s hard for me to accept that erlicher yidden would steal music. The demise of authentic Jewish music is due to the crazy issurim of an increasingly fanatic Yiddiskkeit.

    gematria12
    gematria12
    12 years ago

    LOL he willl of course release a new album in a couple of years….

    villyamsburger
    villyamsburger
    12 years ago

    Kisufim is beautiful. I just can’t get enough MBD you’ll be missed!

    lakewooder
    lakewooder
    12 years ago

    Is it so poshut that it is ossur to copy copyrighted material for personal use? I have seen a machlokes amongst contemporary Poskim in the sefer Mishnas Zechuyos Hayotzer. R’ Elyashiv holds it is ossur, Lehavdil R’ Shlomo Zalman Oyerbach holds it is not. Additionally, the Choshen Mishpot expert in the US; R’ Eliyahu Levine believes it is not ossur. MBD is a nice singer, but as a posek we prefer to rely on others.

    12 years ago

    We’ve been having this debate for the past week and there is considerable disagreement over whether MBD is the “greatest” singer of our generation or there are younger singers with fresher music who have brought new life and excitement to the genre of music that can be enjoyed by frum yidden. I happen to like MBD early albums but feel that in the past few years, superstars like Lipa and Mitisyahu have surpassed him in both originality and vocal quality, but thats a matter of taste. Our chazzan has adopted several Matisyahu nigunnim which have a really nice leibadig beat to for the yomim norahim and the younger ones love it and actually sing along (somthing they rarely do to traditional chazzanus). I’m not talking about setting “Unasane Tokef” to a reggae beat, but it works really well for “U’vah Rosh Hashanah Tikatevu”.