HILLELKAPS – Review of Beri Weber’s “Ben Melech”

The time has come for me to review the most recent Beri Weber album “Ben Melech”! From the start I’ve always been a fan of Beri’s. Even after coming out a couple of years ago I still listen to his last album all the time. For those who didn’t listen to the last album, that’s the one that brought the world the Chabadsker Nigun. After such an amazing last album I’m excited to see if he can top it with this new one. Here goes!

1. Yachad – Make sure you’re in a place you can move around when you start listening to this album because the first track will get you moving! This track was composed by Elie Schwab. If you’re looking to make an album and you’re not sure what song to use as the opener, reference this album! Upbeat, fun and with a great message I’m sure this is a sign of all the good things to come on this album.
2. Vashen – You might say this next track arrangement-wise is the complete opposite of the track before it. “Vashen” composed by none other than Lipa Schmeltzer gives that old time feel with some great performances from the piano and brass section
3. Vshomri – When you see a song is composed by R’ Pinky Weber you know you won’t be disappointed. This is no exception! Arranged by Naftali Schnitzler this song will likely be sung on Shabbos by all the Beri fans out there.
4. Lmikdusheich – This next song is a nice hartzige ballad composed by Chaim Blumenfeld. I don’t have anything specific to say about this particular track other than it being one that shows off Beri’s genuineness when it comes to him connecting to the songs he sings.
5. Shehakol – In the same spirit of “Vashen” this song starts with an arrangement that would have been typical many years ago. The song then turns more mainstream as it progresses into a rock track. This song was composed by Beri himself and is arranged by Cheski Breuer.
6. Tuisee – This next song was co-composed by Beri and Naftali Schnitzler. Again this is a nice hartzige song that shows off Beri’s range as well as his connection to the songs he sings. You can hear the emotion he puts into his vocal performance on this track.
7. V’atu – This next song is composed by well known composer Duvid Kaufman and has a great arrangement by Naftali Schnitzler. English lyrics were also written by Mordechai Roth. This song has a great message and Beri does a great job of transmitting that message with his strong vocals.
8. Nigun Lev – This track was released as a single not too long ago. For those of you who have gone to a kumzits that starts off slow and progresses to dancing as the crowd gets more and more into the song being sung, you can now experience this feeling as you listen to “Nigun Lev”. After the Chabasker Nigun we know that Beri has a knack for taking nigunim and bringing them to the next level. This track gives that authentic kumzits feel and you can feel the progression from slower nigun to dancing nigun as the song goes on.
9. Heiliger Bashefer – Here’s another co-composition. This times it’s by Beri and Chaim Blumenfeld (the composer of L’mikdusheich). This song will get you moving again as its very catchy and has a great beat.
10. Ben Melech – This next track is the title track of the album and was also composed by Beri himself. Featuring an arrangement by Ruli Ezrachi and choir by Moishe Krausz this track is also one of the most hatzige tracks within this album.
11. Vafilu B’hastura – Whether you have heard one of the 30+ versions of this song or are hearing this composition for the first time, this composition comes to us from Shaya Gross (In Israel I believe). This song started gaining popularity in Israel and has now gone “viral” in America as well! Enjoy this cover of Beri singing it as a bonus on this album.

Maybe you’ve been a fan of Beri from the beginning. Perhaps this is the first album you’ve ever heard from him, (seriously!? You’ve never heard of Beri Weber? Maybe you should get out more!) This is an album that showcases an incredibly talented vocalist as well as a number of equally talented composers and arrangers. Definitely an album worth adding to your Jewish Music arsenal.