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The Ori Naftali band is back with a new album entitled Happy For Good. The disc marks a solidification of the band’s format with Eleanor Tsaig taking on the entirety of the vocal duties and Ori’s lead playing being the dominant instrumental flavor. Around the period of recording the band partook in a tour of the states as part of their representation of Israel at the International Blues Challenge, and this experience seems to have inspired the band towards a new maturity and professionalism in performance.
Of course, and Israeli blues band is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the genre, but the experience offered up isn't an odd one. They haven’t fallen into the trap of trying to be what they’re not, this isn’t a pastiche of American blues, and they aren’t trying to reinvent the music and force it to be something it’s not. The influence of traditional blues, especially that of Chicago, is strong, but they aren’t afraid to push the limits on some numbers as on the funk meets Hendrix vibe of Envy. Where they do stick close to the bones of the blues they wisely steer clear of spurious claims of past lives spent sharecropping or riding the rails, they stick more to universal themes, love and loss, making sure they have an emotional connection that spans continents and backgrounds.
As I’ve said, Ori’s searing guitar is the central musical sound of the record. His playing as matured greatly since the band’s last effort, he’s retained the fire and skill that has always been evident but has now tempered it with a new sense of restraint. This means that there is more real feeling in his lines and leads and also that there’s more space for the rest of the band to shine. There is some sterling work on organ and keys, adding texture and richness to the sound, and a tight and punchy rhythm section that drives the music along with a tangible impetus. On top of this floats Eleanor’s voice, which like the guitar playing has matured wonderfully since the last time I heard it. She delivers lines with a directness and passion that ensures the meaning gets across in the most direct way possible, and there is more subtlety to her delivery, there’s no sense of showing off, and it’s therefore more musical, involving and impressive.
Production wise there is a certain sheen to the record, a brightness and polish that sounds modern and hi fi, ironically I feel this is a by product of an all analog recording process combined with a reluctance to get caught in the loudness wars. It’s dynamic and crystalline, which just makes for a truly involving listen, it’s very live and natural and entirely cohesive.
So, a record from a band I have enjoyed in the past now has me converted to a full on fan. They have taken a musical formula that worked well, refined it, nurtured it and let it bloom into something quite special. The result is this focused, engaging and highly enjoyable disc. - Jazz Radio UK
The Ori Naftali band is back with a new album entitled Happy For Good. The disc marks a solidification of the band’s format with Eleanor Tsaig taking on the entirety of the vocal duties and Ori’s lead playing being the dominant instrumental flavor. Around the period of recording the band partook in a tour of the states as part of their representation of Israel at the International Blues Challenge, and this experience seems to have inspired the band towards a new maturity and professionalism in performance.
Of course, and Israeli blues band is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the genre, but the experience offered up isn't an odd one. They haven’t fallen into the trap of trying to be what they’re not, this isn’t a pastiche of American blues, and they aren’t trying to reinvent the music and force it to be something it’s not. The influence of traditional blues, especially that of Chicago, is strong, but they aren’t afraid to push the limits on some numbers as on the funk meets Hendrix vibe of Envy. Where they do stick close to the bones of the blues they wisely steer clear of spurious claims of past lives spent sharecropping or riding the rails, they stick more to universal themes, love and loss, making sure they have an emotional connection that spans continents and backgrounds.
As I’ve said, Ori’s searing guitar is the central musical sound of the record. His playing as matured greatly since the band’s last effort, he’s retained the fire and skill that has always been evident but has now tempered it with a new sense of restraint. This means that there is more real feeling in his lines and leads and also that there’s more space for the rest of the band to shine. There is some sterling work on organ and keys, adding texture and richness to the sound, and a tight and punchy rhythm section that drives the music along with a tangible impetus. On top of this floats Eleanor’s voice, which like the guitar playing has matured wonderfully since the last time I heard it. She delivers lines with a directness and passion that ensures the meaning gets across in the most direct way possible, and there is more subtlety to her delivery, there’s no sense of showing off, and it’s therefore more musical, involving and impressive.
Production wise there is a certain sheen to the record, a brightness and polish that sounds modern and hi fi, ironically I feel this is a by product of an all analog recording process combined with a reluctance to get caught in the loudness wars. It’s dynamic and crystalline, which just makes for a truly involving listen, it’s very live and natural and entirely cohesive.
So, a record from a band I have enjoyed in the past now has me converted to a full on fan. They have taken a musical formula that worked well, refined it, nurtured it and let it bloom into something quite special. The result is this focused, engaging and highly enjoyable disc. - Jazz Radio UK
happy_for_good
When we think of Blues, we think of Chicago, Memphis, Clarksdale, St. Louis; Israel definitely does not come to mind. The Ori Naftaly Band is out to change that with their new album, Happy For Good. Issued on their own label (The Ori Naftaly Band), the album clocks in at just over 40 minutes and does not disappoint.
The Ori Naftaly Band is Ori Naftaly – guitars, Yam Regev – drums, Eran Szendri – bass, Keyboards – Niv Hovav, and Eleanor Tsaig – vocals. Production by Ori Naftaly is excellent, and the mix by Yaacov Moreno is spot on, giving the music depth, and a rich texture.
Standout tracks on the album include “Set Me Free,” which is slow, smooth, delicious, and features a smokey vocal from Eleanor Tsaig. “Envy” begins with a nice bass lead-in, and when the rest of the band kicks in, they transport us back to the ’70s for some guitar filled, funky grooves. “Taxi Driver” has a more country flavor, with a fast pace, and some fine guitar picking from Naftaly. “Dreamin’, Pleadin’, Wonderin’” is a slow, heady blues that will have you woozy with its slow club vibe, and jazzy Stevie Ray Vaughan influenced guitar lines. This is truly a masterful performance! The title cut, “Happy For Good,” is a feel good, vibrant piece, that doesn’t get lost in pop sound and polish, and the guitars give it a garage jam quality that fits the song perfectly. “I Feel Fine” is what Stevie Ray Vaughan might have sounded like if he had taken a more funk and jazz infused direction. The combination of organ rifts, bass lines, and steady drumming, along with bluesy guitar lines that have a jazzy edge, all topped off with Tsaig’s great soulful vocal, take this cut over the top.
If this is what blues is like in Israel, we want more! This is a solid album that is full of texture, soul, and righteous blues. Bring this album home today, throw on a good set of headphones, and get lost in it. You won’t regret it. - American Blues Scene
happy_for_good
When we think of Blues, we think of Chicago, Memphis, Clarksdale, St. Louis; Israel definitely does not come to mind. The Ori Naftaly Band is out to change that with their new album, Happy For Good. Issued on their own label (The Ori Naftaly Band), the album clocks in at just over 40 minutes and does not disappoint.
The Ori Naftaly Band is Ori Naftaly – guitars, Yam Regev – drums, Eran Szendri – bass, Keyboards – Niv Hovav, and Eleanor Tsaig – vocals. Production by Ori Naftaly is excellent, and the mix by Yaacov Moreno is spot on, giving the music depth, and a rich texture.
Standout tracks on the album include “Set Me Free,” which is slow, smooth, delicious, and features a smokey vocal from Eleanor Tsaig. “Envy” begins with a nice bass lead-in, and when the rest of the band kicks in, they transport us back to the ’70s for some guitar filled, funky grooves. “Taxi Driver” has a more country flavor, with a fast pace, and some fine guitar picking from Naftaly. “Dreamin’, Pleadin’, Wonderin’” is a slow, heady blues that will have you woozy with its slow club vibe, and jazzy Stevie Ray Vaughan influenced guitar lines. This is truly a masterful performance! The title cut, “Happy For Good,” is a feel good, vibrant piece, that doesn’t get lost in pop sound and polish, and the guitars give it a garage jam quality that fits the song perfectly. “I Feel Fine” is what Stevie Ray Vaughan might have sounded like if he had taken a more funk and jazz infused direction. The combination of organ rifts, bass lines, and steady drumming, along with bluesy guitar lines that have a jazzy edge, all topped off with Tsaig’s great soulful vocal, take this cut over the top.
If this is what blues is like in Israel, we want more! This is a solid album that is full of texture, soul, and righteous blues. Bring this album home today, throw on a good set of headphones, and get lost in it. You won’t regret it. - American Blues Scene
Discography
Debut Album: A True Friend (Is Hard to Find) - 2012
Second Album: Happy For Good - 2013
Photos
Bio
The Ori Naftaly Band is the Best Israeli Blues Act for 2013.
In a very short time this extremely talented band has gained international recognition and support by the international blues community and by an extended fan base, located in the USA, Holland, India, Germany and other countries all over the world.
Within the course of two years The Ori Naftaly Band has twice toured the United States and the Netherlands, won the Israeli Blues Challenge Competition, and was the first Israeli band ever to have reached the Semi-Finals of the International Blues Competition (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee. They have released two live studio albums and are currently working on their third new album. Their upcoming third USA tour is scheduled for the fall of 2013.
From the very beginning of its performing career and with the release of its first album, The Ori Naftaly Band has won awards which placed the band in the same category as some of the best known blues rock artists in the world, notably 'Best Blues Album in 2012' by Bluesmagazine.nl.
"Happy for Good" is the band's second album. It features a mix of styles including electric blues, funk, rock and soul. With the release of the album in May of 2013, The Ori Naftaly Band was immediately invited to the United States for a six-week tour to promote their new CD and to perform in many well-known venues throughout the country. Just one month after its release, the album reached number four in the International Blues Radio Airplay Charts, and maintained fourth place for three consecutive weeks.
Ori Naftaly – founder, producer, composer and lead guitarist of the band – has been leading and managing the band since November 2011, together with songwriter, composer and lead vocalist, Eleanor Tsaig. Their album "Happy for Good" conveys the band's journey since the beginning of its activity.
The Ori Naftaly Band began playing in November 2011 and after a year's performing and touring all over Israel, they flew to the Netherlands in Sept. 2012 for a three-week tour.
On their return home, they participated in and won the Israeli Blues Competition, which granted their participation in the IBC at Memphis, Tennessee. Two months later the band flew to Memphis and represented Israel among 200 other bands from all over the world. The Ori Naftaly Band is the first Israeli band to have been voted into the IBC Semi-Finals, and was the band which sold the largest number of CDs at the Memphis competition. After completing the competition the band flew to Chicago for a short tour and performed at several local, historic and well-known blues venues.
Immediately after returning home from their first U.S. tour, the band wasted no time and got right back into the studio. They began recording their second album "Happy for Good" which contains exclusively original material, all written and composed by Naftaly and Tsaig. Recording and production continued for a month and a half, and with the album's release, they flew to the USA for their second tour. During this six-week journey The Ori Naftaly Band had 14 performances, including the historic Levitt Shell in Memphis (where Elvis Presley gave his first paid concert in 1954) and the Winchester Blues Festival. This tour has immensely expanded the band's exposure and American fan base.
On their way home the band has stopped off for another short run in the Netherlands in August of 2013. They are currently in the throes of booking their upcoming USA Fall Tour as well as writing and composing new materials for their upcoming album, due to be released in 2014.
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