Actors stick to acting

TV Series soundtracks are popular throughout the world, and so it was to be expected that an album accompanying the Our Song series would soon hit the shelves.

By VIVA SARAH PRESS
shirdisk88 (photo credit: )
shirdisk88
(photo credit: )
VARIOUS ARTISTS Hashir Shelanu (Our Song) (Helicon) TV Series soundtracks are popular throughout the world, and so it was to be expected that an album accompanying the Our Song series would soon hit the shelves. Among the 37 songs included on this double disc album are "Ha'or Behayay" - the original hit from the series' first season; "Beintayim" - another popular track written by the show's stars Ran Danker and Ninette Teib; and popular covers such as "Yekirati". Teenyboppers with no ear for music are sure to love this album as it features a slew of today's stars. For those seeking quality singing, however, this album is not the place to look. Most of the actors singing on this disc sound appalling when singing solo, and even more inferior when trying to harmonize together. An example par excellence is Teib, Oshri Cohen, Eliana Bakayer and Danker's Hebrew version of "Grease" (track 6) which is frighteningly off-key. Track 15 "Ma She'at Ohevet" hammers home the reason actors should stick to acting and singers stick to singing - this song is butchered in every respect by Teib, Maya Dagan, Danker and Cohen. By Track 18, "Lyla", featuring Teib and Cohen, this reviewer had to forcefully keep from ejecting the CD from the stereo. Usually a reliable record label, it is difficult not to question Helicon's intentions here. Sure, this soundtrack will sell to the youth - but even Helicon has crossed the line in terms of selling out. It should be noted however, for those who are fans of the series, that the album cover includes photos of the characters as well as tidbits about each of them. ARIE LAVIE SINGS He & She (Hed Arzi) Sorting through my CDs to take out those I've already assessed and those waiting to be evaluated, I came across He & She still in its plastic wrapper. Oops! I thought I had already brought to attention the availability of this album in record stores. He & She brings Arie Lavie, who died last year, back to life. Here, one of Israel's best-loved balladeers and his wife, Shoshik Shani, offer an updated version of their famous "He and She" musical comedy sketch. The album includes one disc with Lavie and Shani performing five of Efraim Kishon's original "He and She" sketches, which came out in 1963. The second CD comprises songs Lavie sang from the sketches as well as others including, "Shir Hagerushin", "Hamishim Shana", and "Hadoda Mehadera", as well as his famed romantic song, "The Red Rock", about the city of Petra. Born in Germany, Lavie immigrated to British-ruled Palestine in 1936 when he was eight years old. In addition to his singing talents, Lavie was also one of this country's top actors in theater and film realms. Lavie is always remembered for his role in the film Operation Yonatan about the 1976 IDF Entebbe operation.