Syria: Well. It has certainly been a busy week. Starting with the country of Syria, which, in its Ba'athist configuration - no longer exists. Former President Bashar al-Assad has, as they say, left the building.
As a temporary (perhaps) but clearly necessary action, צה״ל (Israel Defense Forces) have captured the back side (the front side being in Israel's hands since 1974) of Mount Hermon, facing toward Damascus. Just in case the new rebel "government" of Syria gets any ideas.
But wait! There's more! צה״ל has also employed this miraculous serendipity to destroy Syria's military - missile depots, naval vessels, fighter jets, and more - just to make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.
And what about the Syrian Jewish community? Despite what you may have heard from various MSM (MainStream Media, not methylsulfonylmethane or My Singing Monsters) outlets, the community thrives in Brooklyn, Deal (NJ), Israel, and elsewhere - but not in Syria itself. Depending on the source, there are only three or four Jews left in Syria.
Alright ... Abq Jew was conducting what we used to, in those halcyon Intel DVI days, call "video research" - on YouTube, when he found this gem. Lindsay wrote this song (back in 1977) because of Stevie, and here (in 2005) is singing from his heart - to her.
The words, Abq Jew and other reviewers have noted, are not important. This sweet, naive song simply reflects a desire not to repeat previous mistakes. But they do highlight Abq Jew's theme -
On "Never Going Back Again", Buckingham accompanies himself on acoustic guitar using a Travis picking technique.
To capture the optimal sound, producer Ken Caillat suggested that Buckingham's acoustic guitar be restrung every 20 minutes. Caillat pitied the guitar tech's job of restringing the acoustic guitar three times an hour for "the entire day", but approved of Buckingham's "magnificent" instrumental passages.
"Never Going Back Again" is set in a 4-4 signature at a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute, in the key of F sharp major. Buckingham's guitar is in Drop D tuning with a capo on the fourth fret.
Abq Jew notes with awe the fact that Lindsay Buckingham could play guitar like that in 1977 (or earlier), when he was 27 years old (or younger). And that he could still play guitar like that or even better when he got older.
There is (always) hope. Some things do get better with time.
Jacob's Ladder! In joyful accordance with the long-standing Jewish tradition, Abq Jew is keeping Jerusalem above everything -
as he announces that Jacob's Ladder, one of Abq Jew'sfavorite Jewgrass bands (there aren't that many out there) has come up with yet one more outstanding recording and video.
"Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan!" is a delightful old-time (yes, Christian) gospel number that has been performed, re-invented, and performed again many times over the last ... oh, hundred years.
For example: there's this version and that version, plus - if you're really interested, as Abq Jew is sure you are or soon will be - an almost infinite selection of versions located right here.
So why, Abq Jew hears you ask, is Jerusalem moaning? There are, of course, any number of Jewish historical events that might lead us to a few theological (which is not to mention theodical) complaints. But Christians? Why would they think Jerusalem is unhappy?
Well, there's One Big Reason - but, regarding this song, that's not it. In its original version, "Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan!" is actually complaining about having to sit through long sermons at church.
Which church? Any of them!
Oh, the Methodist minister got squeaky shoes He pulls down the shades and brings out the booze
Oh, the Baptist preacher has a really hard sell You buy his package or you roast in hell
Oh, the Campbellite preacher will show you the way But you gotta be baptized every other day
Oh, the Catholic preacher keeps you out of trouble He'll save your soul, but your family will double
Oh, the Unitarian preacher has a lot to learn They say he prays "To whom it may concern"
Oh, the Lutheran preacher has a really nice home And he's careful to stay just one step from Rome
Oh, the Episcopal preacher prays on bended knees He gets his prayers answered 'cause he always says "Please"
Oh, the Presbyterian preacher is one of the "Elected" Everybody else just hopes they'll be selected
And synagogues are (unsurprisingly) not exempt -
Oh, the Rabbi preacher gives good advice He'll get you into heaven for a wholesale price
And then there's Jacob's Ladder's unique version. The band explains:
This gospel number struck us as a must-sing crossover song between the Christian gospel tradition and the Jewish traditions. Jerusalem is all over Jewish liturgy, and is very much apart of the Jewish identity and soul, as best exemplified in Psalms 137 (" If I forget you Jerusalem, let my right forget how to work").
There is so much these days that pulls us apart: to wake up in our world today in 2024, there is more of a natural tendency to "other" just about everything and everyone. We hope that this song does just the opposite.
There's a wailing, "high lonesome" sound to traditional American folk and gospel songs, harkening back to the days of strife and toil as a working class person in the coal mines in late 19th century early 20th century America.
Musical expression of Jewish suffering has varied greatly over centuries, though we find a deep connection with this expression of sorrow and hopelessness in light of the past year. We hope this song brings a little light to our dark times.
