From: MH1406@student.law.duke.edu
Subject: Avenu Malcenu
Reply-To: MH1406@student.law.duke.edu
Organization: The Internet
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 17:52:33 GMT

Hey folks, just some of my thought on the Avenu Malcenu issue:
    For starters, on the tape, and in the past, Phish sings the
prayer in its entirety.  Before Mike's solo, Trey says (almost
verbatim) "Mike Gordon will now play a Happy Passover bass solo.
Stylistically, the prayer is done almost exactly as the conservative
Jewish temple chant (Ashkenazi (Eastern Europe), not Sefardic
(Spanish/North African), I believe).  This is, in fact, my
preferred performance of the prayer, as opposed to the more
song/choir-type versions used in reform temples (although I am no
longer particularly practicing, I still have my preferred rituals).
The only difference is that at the end of the "verse," the band chops
one beat off the rhythm, turning it into 5/8 instead of 6/8
(note:could be transcribed in 3's and four's, but from a
percussionist's point of view, it is in six).  Thus, the band sings
"Ah-ve-nu Mal-ke-eh-nu," while the original chant is "Ah-ve-nu Mal-ke-
eh-EH-nu" ("Ah" is a pickup note).
    Does this bother me?  Or should it?  Or should it bother others?
I certainly don't find anything disrespectful in the manner of the
performance, as it is very true to form.  The bass solo part I
originally found "interesting," as in "what an interesting idea to
solo over a prayer.  Hmmm."  But then I gave it some more thought,
and remembered some of the beliefs of the most religious Jewish
groups:  it is optimal to remember one's religion at any and all
opportunities (hence wearing the tallas-symbolic (prayer-shawl) smock
with tassles as an undershirt).  Looked at in this light, I find it
hard to take offense at a respectful, tasteful rendition of a prayer:
 it is just another opportunity for Jews to be reminded of their
religiousity while being entertained.  Performers from other
(often Eastern) cultures regularly perform religious, traditional
music for Western audiences in an entertainment setting (Indian
classical music, Persian music performances, Native American dances,
etc.).  They do not find the combination of religious music and
secular setting "offensive" to the religion, nor do I think that
American Jews should find the appearance of this powerful prayer in a
musical setting unduly disturbing.  The rock opera "Jesus Christ
Superstar" quoted liberally from biblical passages, and while the
play received its share of criticism for various reasons, it is yet
another example of a successful blending of entertainment and
spirituality.
    To conclude, while I understand the pangs of "hey, wait a minute
. . . what are they doing here?!" that leap to mind when first
encountering the Phish version of Avenu Malcenu, it seems to me that
there is no reason for confining religion and religious chants/music
only to religious contexts.  And while Trey sounded somewhat humorous
in announcing the Happy Passover bass solo, it certainly wasn't
mocking or disrespectful: in my eyes, more of getting a kick out of
informing the crowd that they were in the middle of a religious
number (similar to a show where, after AV, the band banter was
something like, "Well, that one isn't an original."  "Yeah, that was
written by God."  Makes you chuckle, no doubt, but far from
offensive).  All in all, give me more tapes with Avenu Malcenu!!

Matt Heller
Post any and all invectives against my narrative to the net if of
general interest - email me at mh1406@student.law.duke.edu for more
detailed discussion, flaming or explanation.









Newsgroups: rec.music.phish