The Idan Raichel Project at O’Shaughnessy, St. Paul (14 May 2014)

The Idan Raichel Project Setlist

1. Holomot Shel Aharim
   Other Peoples Dreams
2. Ad She-ein Yoter Le’An
   Until There’s Nowhere Left
3. Yash Be Od Co-ach
   There’s Still Strength In Me
4. Hinach Yafah
   You Are Beautiful
5. Ana Ana wa Enta Enta
   I Am What I Am
6. Azini
   Comfort Me
7. Mi’Ma’amakim
   Out of the Depths
8. Min Nhar Li Mshiti
   From the Day You Left
9. Peteha Aayal
10. Todas las Palabras
    All the Words
11. Ba’Layla
    At Night
12. Brong Faya
    Burn Fire
13. Zimro
14. Ayal-Ayale
    The Handsome Hero
15. Belo
16. Ulai Ha’Pa’am
    Maybe This Time
17. Haruach Hazeh
    This Wind
18. Mai Nahar
    River Waters
19. Im Telech
    If You Go
20. Sabe Deus
    God Knows
21. Bo-e
    Come With Me
22. Millim Yaffot Me-Eleh
    Nicer Words Than These
23. Hitmakrut
    Addiction
24. Ley Ley Ley
25. Milsa
26. Yorad Ha-erev
    Evening Falls

Tour Dates

Idan Raichel was in an incredibly good mood at the O’Shaugnessy Auditorium in St. Catherine University on May 14th. This translate to Raichel talking more than usual, rambling on about his parents knowing each other since they were three years old and how he saw an old lady being sold an investment money policy at a bank. As Raichel talked, his flutist jokingly pretends to leave the stage.

Raichel, who normally sport an incredible massive dreadlock, appeared on stage with a shaven head. He tried to explain the top three reasons for cutting his hair, but ultimately it came down to, “because my lady told me to do it.”

He continues on about how it’s a small miracle that people from all over the world comes out to see them play live. “When we play in Israel, it’s considered pop music, but when we play outside of the country, it’s considered ‘World Music’. Well I hope when you leave here tonight, that you think this is Israeli music.”

Raichel may be underselling his music simply as Israeli music because, the truth is, his music spans over many countries: dabbing in Hebrew/Jewish, Arabic, Spanish, and Ethiopian music… plus on top of that world fusion music, there are elements of electronica and dance beats, making for a unique musical blend. His audience, which are mostly Jewish, showed up in strong numbers in support of Idan Raichel’s latest work.

The thing about Idan Raichel is that it almost seems to me that he’d much prefer to be the guy behind the scene (even though some songs requires him to sing as he play keys stage right). Instead, he let the spotlight shine on his three barefooted singers: Maya Avraham, Cabra Casay (alternate spelling Kabra Kasai), and Avi Wassa.

The songs (please refer to the setlist), were mostly from their latest album Quarter to Six (Cumbancha), but mixing in some old fan favorites like “Brong Faya” (which translates to “Burn Fire”).

It wasn’t until near the end of the set that Avi Wassa encouraged fans in the seated O’Shaughnessy to stand up and dance with them. At one point, even inviting a fan in the audience to come on stage and danced with them. The O’Shaugh floor wasn’t designed for stomping and jumping up and down, at least in the front orchestra section of the stage, and I felt a real fear that we would collapse on the rowdy dancing. Thankfully, during the quieter song, the audience sat down… but then quickly stood up again once the songs on the set started to pick up again.

The Idan Raichel Project is currently on tour in support of Quarter to Six, be sure to catch this band for a truly world-fusion experience.

The Idan Raichel Project at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Paul (14 May 2014) Avi Wassa and dancing fan Maya Avraham, Cabra Casay, and Avi Wassa