Ofra Haza (review)

[John M. Relph <relph@PRESTO.IG.COM>]

Ofra Haza, _Shaday_

After having thoroughly enjoyed Ofra Haza's _Yemenite Songs_ but also
having heard another of her more `pop' albums, I admit to having mixed
expectations of Ofra's new release, _Shaday_.  With good reason.

_Shaday_ is a mixture of the more traditional style songs and more
up-to-date (read: bland) pop songs.  Two of the tracks are remixed
dance versions of tracks from _Yemenite Songs_ (available as singles).
The remainder are new songs.

Tracks like "My Aching Heart" and "Face to Face" seem designed for
American hit radio airplay, and thence obscurity.  Very `formula', and
sung in English.  "Take Me to Paradise" has more of a funk groove to
it, but so what.  However, "Eshal", "Love Song" and "Shaday" have more
of the `traditional' qualities that made _Yemenite Songs_ so
interesting.  "Eshal" does rock in parts, but it doesn't have quite
the same gratuitous over-production as some of the other more
mainstream tracks.  "Love Song" is actually an adaptation of "Songs of
Songs" from The Bible, sung a capella, somewhat of a departure from
the rest of the album.

All in all, it rates an `almost' in my rating scale.  Buy it if you
have to have it.  Otherwise...

	-- John
----
John M. Relph
IntelliGenetics, Inc.
Internet:  relph@presto.ig.com