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Joseph Israel - Gone Are the Days
- A reggae sound mixed with a jazzy rhythm describes Joseph Israel’s Gone Are the Days. Israel’s voice blends the feeling of the Caribbean with a ray of jazz, for a sound that will excite admirers of both musical genres. The lyrics have some political annotations and some songs are about love, pure and simple.
“Jerusalem” has drum, percussion and organ play. Its flow is inspirited as Israel muses about the Holy Land, with lyrics like, “The new Jerusalem…It shall come to pass…You are here…Jerusalem is your home,” Israel is conveying the deep connection that the region evokes and how it is home to everyone, no matter what.
On “Truth,” Israel continues the peppy harmony with guitar, drum and cymbal play. This song speaks about autonomy from oppression and societal shackles, with lyrics such as, “Come along with me…We must be free, truth must be free…No more illusion or confusion.” Israel meditates about liberty and speaking one’s mind. His voice echoes his message as he resounds each and every word.
The title track has organ and superb harmonizing. This song has another clear intendment, that life has many passages and avenues and it is up to each individual to choose which one suits their particular purpose. Israel states this with no apologies, with lyrics like, “So many paths, only one road to choose. You know you will lose, in your heart let true love rule, we are made with G-D made attributes.” Israel seems to be saying you should let your instincts decree your actions and follow them without reservation.
“Jah Kingdom” has an intro that is quite different from the previous songs. It opens with a saxophone delicately cooing. The beat is similar to that of Kenny G with its easygoing flow. It is then accompanied by soothing percussion. It could be a song heard while you and your significant other are sitting down to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Listeners might then expect a happy song, but the point of this song is very serious, with lines such as, “They’re just not gettin’ along. Whether guns or suicide bombs…What is this illusion…There will be no oppression.” This song’s objective seems to be to talk about the life-threatening events that are occurring in our society right now. The tone of the song is peppy, but the lyrics carry a bulletin of disorder that Israel is protesting, while at the same time making it apparent to listeners that there is great peril that must be identified and dealt with.
Joseph Israel’s Gone Are the Days, has varied instrument play that goes from light and airy to deep and graphic. His lyrics allow him to speak his mind about current developments as well as his emotional well-being. If you are a fan of protest songs, but ones that are set to cool, relaxing music with a singer whose timbre echoes the voice of reason, then Joseph Israel’s Gone Are the Days is one album you should not be without.
Reviewer: Sari N. Kent
new
Reviewer's Rating: 9.5
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 3
Added: 1-Mar-2007
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