To celebrate 10 years as a band, Reva L'Sheva has released a double live album, almost all recorded in one night in December 2002 at Club Tzora near Beit Shemesh.

Reva L'Sheva is the obvious leading candidate for the title of godfather to the post-Carlebach rock bands, and having lasted 10 years is certainly cause for celebration.

Back in 1994, when Reva L'Sheva first started to gig, it was a tight outfit known for long guitar jams and fierce rhythms. As the years went by, however, the band's sound became significantly lighter and more digestible, but as Ten Years proves, Reva L'Sheva's original flavor is still strong.

Fronted by Shlomo Carlebach disciple Yehudah Katz, Reva L'Sheva has changed lineups a great deal over the years, but the 2002 incarnation is seasoned and tight. Adam Wexler remains one of the most skilled and creative bassists in the genre, and Danny Roth's drumming is as solid as ever. Chanan Elias is most noticeable on this recording in his role as backup vocalist, but the atmosphere and occasional solos we hear from his keyboard contribute as well.


"Mizmor L'David" is given the space-out-jam treatment, complete with atmospheric fiddle effects. Considered by many to be the cornerstone of any Reva L'Sheva show, "M'heirah" here is thumping as ever.

Overall, as with many two-CD sets, it's possible that a one-CD version would have made for a more consistent experience, but there are enough highlights here to keep us interested, and besides, Ten Years deserves to be the document of an entire concert.

---BEN JACOBSON
reprinted from Jerusalem Post, Mar 31, 2004

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