| Check out Deborah's Recordings Link to Kindersongs www.cdbaby.com/cd/cantordkg1 Link to Jewish Soul www.cdbaby.com/cd/cantordkg3 Links and Reviews http://earbuz.com/modules.php?mod=artistpage&artistid=292132 FAU Judaic Sound Archives http://faujsa.fau.edu/katchko-gray/
Cantor Pinchas Spiro ( of blessed memory) If a teacher had but one student- you- it would be Dayenu!… …your songs bring joy to my heart! Elie Wiesel |
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**** Four Stars!
Katchko-Gray is a fourth generation cantor and the founder of the Women Cantors’ Network, and she possesses a lilting soprano voice and a poise you can almost hear. This set is clearly designed to show off her range, moving from a terrific Yemenite “ Et Dodim” to a Yiddish chestnut like “ Mayn Rue Plats” and a faux-cuontry song, “ Peel One More Potato:. There are some very strong selections here, particularly a live duet with Benjie-Ellen Schiller on “ Shiru Shir Chadash” and her version of “Hashkivenu” composed by Adolph Katchko, her grandfather. “
George Robinson, The Jewish Week
REVIEWS of Jewish Soul
" If your tastes run to such classics as Yerushalayim Shel Zahav and you enjoy everything from Sephardic to Yiddish to contemporary pop, Katchko's soprano renditions and acoustic rhythms are the perfect musical menu for you. Her inspiring version of , " The Place Where I Belong" will have you singing along."
Hadassah Magazine
" Impressively eclectic, Deborah Katchko - another pioneer female cantor puts a refreshing, colorful spin on quintessentially Jewish songs and stories. Drawing upon Middle East rock, Country Western and traditional and contemporary Jewish melodies, Katchko's powerful voice can sound both sensual and spiritual"
Hadassah Magazine
" Connecticut based Cantor Deborah Katchko has wide appeal. With a strong and soulful voice, she covers a broad range of songs in several languages, exposing us to Jewish culture from various times and places."
Boston University Alumni Magazine
"Nurturing our family's Jewish identity is an art, rather than a science. Fortunately people like Deborah Katchko can help. Her three cds offer a rich array of traditional and contemporary Jewish music suffused with her warm and welcoming spirit. "
Jewish Woman Magazine
Reviews for A Sacred Spirit
Cantor Deborah Katchko sings both classical and contemporary selections from the Sabbath liturgy with the exquisite accompaniment of the Temple Shearith Israel Adult Choir and the Tourmaline String Quartet. Her rendition of Naomi Shemer’s “ Lu Yehi” is beautiful. With an ear for both hazanut ( “ Amar Rabi Elazar”) and Carelbach-style music, this CD offers familiar and soon-to-be favorites.
Daniel Kronengold
Haddassah Magazine
Katchko has sent hundreds of these CDS to Jewish troops serving in Iraq, one of whome told her that listening to it provided, “ a sense of Shabbat peace even in a lonely place”
Jewish Women International
Music Shabbat at TSI
A beautiful evening of prayer and song with the TSI choir and Cantor Debbie. This CD is inspiring and soothing for a week's end festivity. It is wonderful for assisting your shabbat song choice and teaching your choir.
Reviews for Kinder Songs
I’ve listened to a lot of traditional Jewish holiday song recordings and most, for one reason or another should not have been made. But, this one is significantly different. First, Deborah Katchko has a warm, rich voice. Second, she sings honestly. What do I mean? There are no tricks to this recording, just Deborah and her guitar and she’s making music. Third, she includes 25 ethnic songs full of information and history. This is a Hanukkah gift for the entire family.
Washington Parent
…Try playing it in the car and singing along!
Jewish Parenting Today
Kinder Songs is both a Jewish family sing-along and a preschool resource.
The CD is perfect for young children, but their older siblings and parents also will enjoy Katchko’s sweetly unaffected singing style and acoustic guitar playing reminiscent of folk-rock icons James Taylor and Judy Collins.
Jewish Women International
Cantor Deborah Katchko's CD, "Kinder Songs", is a family collection of Jewish songs and melodies that includes traditional and more contemporary pieces ranging from children sing-a-long choruses, jazz guitar ensemble support, and bare voice with minor accompaniment in both Hebrew and English. The recording is recorded in such a way that it sounds live in an auditorium. The CD begins with the light and child-ful "Shabbat Shabbat Menucha". Cantor Katchko leads a group of children in the opening tune about Friday night's Sabbath, 'first we light the Shabbat candle, what a sight on Friday night'. Track 8, "Eytz Chaim Hi", brings jazz guitar support to the soprano vocal qualities of Katchko - which can undeniably compared to the nurturing qualities of Joan Baez. Track 11, "I Have a Little Dreidel", is a warm and exciting rendition of the kids' favorite. Track 16, "The Tree Song", is a contemporary folk song within a spiritual setting that again marries Katchko's sweet soprano with guitar. The message is right, 'try to be more like a tree, it knows just when to bend, and it knows when you should take a stand helping strangers helping a friend'. The final track, "Rojinkes Mit Mandlen", is a showcase for Katchko's voice as the Cantor performs with finesse and kindness. The CD may have been mastered from a taped source, and there is some high frequency tape noise, but it does not detract from the enjoyment and quality of the inspiring music and talented performance. nternational
EAR BUZZ
