Festival of Light, Vol. 1 [Six Degrees]

1	Rock of Ages (Maoz Tsur) / Marc Cohn 5:00
2	1902 / The Mels 3:49
3	The Emigrant / Flairck 3:57
4	Oi Tata / Don Byron 4:15
5	Kiddush Le-Shabbat / The Covenant 6:11
6	Avinu / RebbeSoul 5:05
7	Erev Shel Shoshanium / John McCutcheon 4:40
8	Dybbuk Shers / The Klezmatics 4:38
9	Bikkurim / Masada String Trio 3:24
10	I See You / Alitsut 4:22
11	Shir Amami / Jane Siberry 6:01
12	Lighting Up The World / Peter Himmelman 3:17

Barnes & Noble

Jews all over the world look forward to Hanukkah, an eight-day festival that commemorates the defeat of Seleucid Greek oppressors by the Maccabees in the 4th century B.C. Playing a prominent part in that liberation was a small vial of oil that miraculously burned for eight days, and hence the ritual lighting on each day of the symbolic 8-candle menorah. Though there are few Hanukkah standards with the ubiquity or popularity of a "Silent Night" or "Jingle Bells," there is certainly an array of both traditional and tasty contemporary songs to celebrate the enduring light of the occasion. Marc Cohn begins this moving compilation with the traditional holiday song "Rock of Ages," performed in a warm and passionate folk style. Shimmering vocals grace three other songs: Madalena's exalted vocalese and sultry spoken verses on Alitsut's bluesy ambient piece "I See You"; Jane Siberry's theatrical "Shir Amami," with lyrics reflecting the longing of a shepherd for his homeland; and the funky rock-blues of "Lighting Up the World" by Peter Himmelman and David Broza. A dramatic cantor, Ben Zion Karpov-Kagen blasts out the heroic "Kiddush Le-Shabbat" to the accompaniment of Indian tablas, didgeridoo, keyboards, and electric violins. The Klezmatics' "Dybbuk Shers" makes for some invigorating new klezmer flavor. Hats off to producers Robert Duskis and Bob Appel for their carefully thought-out selections and sensitive sequencing; equally fine is the sequel collection, Festival of Light 2. Though diverse in every sense, the pieces here flow seamlessly into one another for a heady musical experience. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

Festival of Light is a collection of traditional Jewish holiday songs performed by non-traditional musicians. Artists like Jane Siberry performing "Shir Amami" and Marc Cohn doing "Rock of Ages" settle in comfortably next to John Zorn's "Bikkurim," performed by the Masada String Trio. While this is probably not the album that anyone would find their grandmother listening to during Chanukah, probably younger listeners who are in touch with their Jewish heritage will find Festival of Light to be an interesting alternative to the usual holiday fare. Zac Johnson