Vocal Coach Reacts - Ofra Haza Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold)

[@HofTheStage]

Another stunning performance by Ofra Haze! She's a real Israeli pearl! Let me know in the comments how do you like the song, is there anything specifically that you love about it? :) Don't forget to subscribe, like and share the video, stay safe!

[@user-ys1nu6ql4r]

You should see the full version of the song from the show.

[@billd3356]

I discovered her in the late 1980s. "Eshal" will get you on the dance floor and "El Shaday" is cinematic! She was a wonderful talent and I just wish more of her songs were available on a karaoke platform. I would LOVE to perform "Eshal".

[@gildog]

She's extraordinary

[@PilgrimsProgress7]

Laura Bretan's rendition is warm and lovely - have you heard it?

[@validesafiyesultan2199]

Her technique is actually quite difficult. The Middle Eastern scale is very hard in comparison to the Western scale of singing. The more thrills, the harder it is. Plus those special breaks she does are hard, requires a tremendous amount of breath control and support. Her voice is the definition of perfect.

[@HofTheStage]

I wouldn't say that the scale makes it necessarily more difficult, you have these kinds of scales in popular music as well, but it's definitely very hard to manage all those thrills and runs. Also, a lot of it has to do with what you're used to listening to and were surrounded by in childhood. Never the less, the way Ofra sings is really really not easy yet she makes it sound so effortless and beautiful!

[@churchoftruth8896]

@@HofTheStage She does a lot of very difficult melismas. Middle Eastern Melismas are way harder than those you hear from Western singers. But yes Ofra's control over all those riffs, runs, inflections, grace notes, thrills are insane. I think she is way better than Mariah Carey

[@347azma]

You definitely right we the Ethiopians as the Middle Eastern people use to make the "the eleltta not" in wedding & songs (Lelelelele) witch very difficult to make and it doest not exisite in WESTERN vocal abitities scales. So yes silsulim or maahwaim is very natural to us when they have to learn how to do it.

[@aliasesableable]

@@churchoftruth8896 she was and will remain the best singer of all time beyond perfection

[@yohanaalvarado4748]

You have managed to move me, I did not think you could ever react to a little-known singer in the international arena. I can never listen to "Jerusalem of Gold" without crying, I have never been able to sing it completely because I feel a lump in my throat. Many Israeli and foreign singers have performed this song, but for me none like Ofra Haza. The feeling, the pauses, the drama of her live performance and her privileged voice make her performance unique. A pity that such a talented singer has already left this world. What you mean by the very particular pronunciation of Hebrew, Ofra was a Jew of Yemeni descent, for many the Yemeni pronunciation of Hebrew is the most beautiful of all. Jerusalem, always in my heart. Thank you for reacting, you was already one of my favorites KZbinrs, because your reactions to Dimash... now you're in the top!

[@eurech]

Ofra was very popular internationally when she was alive, though.

[@gal8895]

Thank you so much 🙏🏾 Ofra was an amazing singer and human being. She was a big part of my childhood. Thanks for reminding me again❤ I wish you will visit in Israel and I know you will enjoying here. lots of love and peace

[@MarchionessDarby62]

Love her so much! And this song makes me so proud!

[@bloody_outlaw8000]

she has to be the only singer i ve heard that hasn't miss a single note..

[@מיכלא-נ5ח]

הקול של עופרה חזה ז"ל היה הכי יפה בעולם. אחת בדור. בנוסף יש שירים שהיא כתבה והלחינה.

[@rebeccasilverberg]

כן!

[@rpvee]

Here’s some info about her I recently typed up for a comment on another video, thought you’d appreciate it: she started off in 1979 as a hugely successful pop star in Israel doing rather straightforward, Western-sounding pop music, but in Hebrew. Then in 1984, she released an album of Yemenite folk songs as a tribute to her parents and heritage, including a 17th century prayer called Im Nin’Alu. The album was quite different from her Israeli pop records - very organic and Middle Eastern. The exotic sound of the album caught the ear of the emerging “world music” genre overseas, and started to get Ofra international attention. Around the same time, the acapella opening of Im Nin’Alu was sampled in the Coldcut Remix of Eric B. and Rakim’s rap song Paid In Full, which was a huge hit internationally. With a lot of attention from the Yemenite album and rap remix sample, Ofra released a remix of Im Nin’Alu in 1988, making a centuries-old prayer a pop song with some new English lyrics. It was a huge hit in Europe, even hitting number one in Germany. After that, she released two international albums that mixed pop and Middle Eastern sounds like the Im Nin’Alu remix, which were also successful. When the 90’s hit, she really found the power in her voice and dropped the pop music to focus on more organic Middle Eastern, acoustic sounds (her album “Kirya”, which is full of that, was nominated for a Grammy). I can’t stress enough just how strongly she used the full potential of her voice on that record (including a lot of those Middle Eastern trills that you dug in the videos you reacted to). In ‘97, she released a kind of experimental electronic album, and started to get into film scores (including a song in “The Prince of Egypt”, which she recorded in over 17 languages), when she suddenly and tragically passed away in 2000. So, she really played with a lot of genres over the years, but her incredible voice always shined. The song you reached to, “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav”, was originally written in 1967, but Ofra’s version recorded 31 years later still became one of the most definitive versions of the song, which is such a testament to her talent. It’s arguably her most outstanding vocal performance on a song. Hope to see you react to more of Ofra’s music! :)

[@HofTheStage]

Thank you for the amazing comment and info, it's much appreciated! She has gone through a lot of changes and evolution in her career, I'm just sad she left us pretty young.

[@rpvee]

H of The Stage Very sad indeed, but her music and incredible voice live on. :)

[@MsZoita]

I often think, if she had entered "The Voice", she would have won on the spot. No contest. Pure perfection and the best vibratto ever!!

[@elenaspektor4404]

Thank you for reaction to Ofra Haza 👍🤗❤

[@eurech]

Love her voice very much

[@HofTheStage]

Me too, it transports me into a beautiful peaceful state always!

[@shmuelhirsch2069]

This melody is absolutely stunning.

[@mish_m7619]

Amazing voice. great job man, keep em coming.

[@williamcanady5107]

Literally just teared up may she rest in shalom.

[@florentinotoni1814]

Ofra's version is actually the most popular version.

[@HofTheStage]

For a good reason, it's beautiful! Subscribe if you haven't already!

[@ברוךהובר]

Israel is happy to host people from all over the world and Jerusalem is stunning. Thanks for the video. Brings tears to my eyes. Ofra was unique. R.I.P

[@JavierGarcia-bl8ov]

She has a very emotional voice. It's just so gorgeous

[@HofTheStage]

Indeed! Subscribe if you haven't already!

[@stribor24-fv2to]

I'm not musically educated, but I don't need to be to say that Ofra Haza touched the sky with this performance and that no one before, or in the future, has surpassed her performance! It disgusts me when some compare her to Madonna! Madonna is nowhere near the vocal capabilities of Ofra Haza. Ofra is simply unique and unrepeatable! We love you and miss you beautiful Lady, Queen of Israel...

[@AdiraChereEtheredge]

I dont accept that title for her either. Madonna wish she could lol

[@ArielaShines]

Have you ever seen the performance she gives? It is online. It is the letter Chet that has that throat sound you speak of. The kq sound is the letter Kof usually. She was talking about the unification of the city after 2000 years. This is about the heart of the people and our lifelong desire to come to Jerusalem and keep it first in our heart.

[@churchoftruth8896]

That last note she held (Eb5) is CRAZY. But again her head voice is operatic so she must've had some training in opera which Im 100% sure of.

[@michalsiletsky2939]

Thank you for your reaction I always knew she is one of the greatest singers in the world but you put it in a professional view. Please react to other songs of hers ❤

[@billd3356]

When I first discovered her, I think the liner notes on the CD described her as "The Barbra Streisand of the Middle East". Just imagine what Ofra would be doing now if she were still with us!

[@userWWG1WGA]

So thats the point, I'm from Israel. And you did say that ofra haza has a different sounds she make by her breath. So one. That's the language and that's how you pronounce it. 2nd ofra haza is Yemen. Yemen people in Israel have different accents.

[@noayariv5902]

Can you do more of Ofra's songs?:) I can help translate if needed;)

[@henryigbuhay443]

That 3:14 you say is because of the pharyngeal sound of the caf כ or chet ח Kh or ch at the end of a hebrew word sir

[@Maud_914]

Beautiful shalom Israël ❤️

[@viktork.5987]

All the rest do not even come close to her level of skill.

[@jorgen5199]

I love ur reaction :)

[@meirifrach8937]

Wonderful reaction. The greatest singer in IL in all times, the greatest song in IL in all times that a lot of people dream that will be the national anthem in IL. Thank you!

[@alefa4980]

Ofra haza - yesterday, today and forever!

[@meravl7615]

If you like her voice you might want to check out "someone always walks with me" as well. It's one of my favorite of hers, something between sad and kinda hopeful. This version has an english translation in the description I also recommend you read first. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZnXkIx5i92lr6c

[@donnahilario125]

Kholakavod!!! Koev ha liv.....❤..

[@independentcontractor1633]

Her voice magnificent and beauty stunning. She is missed.

[@jemehelmy1707]

Is good

[@CarmenRivera-hz5wh]

I loved her from the very first time I heard her. I am Hispanic,. Follow the Hebrew Root 93 years old now and would love to try it my name Camara Rivera

[@Julia_2]

Great reaction! Very good introduction and background story! She's a legend in Israel. The 'ha' sound is the way how 'h/ch' is pronounced in many middle eastern countries. She has a very beautiful song: Im Nin'alu kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIPRq4eKjtBqlbM And more DIMASH please 🙏☺️

[@sakshik5002]

U keep introducing me to more and more talented singers. Thank you for that!! I understand u cannot always react to Dimash but his original song called 'Know' is worth every bit of your time.

[@HofTheStage]

I'll check it out, I believe there will be a new Dimash soon so I'll see if it's going to be that one, maybe it will ;) Glad you like my other videos as well. Dimash is probably my favourite but I have to check a lot of other singers as well!

[@sakshik5002]

@@HofTheStage of course!! Keep doing what you do! I Enjoy your vids a lot!

[@susjedprvi331]

još 2 pjesme koje vrijedi poslušati: שני שושנים (shnei shoshanim/dvije ruže) i הגשם (hageshem/kiša). što se tiče. kad se već spominje u videu - u hebrejskom jeziku (zapravo u svim semitskim jezicima) postoje 2 suglasnika ח (khet) i ך (khaf sofit) s tim izgovorom punim frikcije. povijesno ova dva suglasnika se izgovaraju razlicito. khet ima frikcije, ali je guturalan, a khaf bi bio čisti frikativ. u modernom hebrejskom oba se suglasnika izgovaraju khaf

[@HofTheStage]

Hvala na pojašnjenju, to objašnjava neke dijelove kako pjeva :)

[@susjedprvi331]

H of The Stage inače ofra je bila jemenska židovka. jemenski židovi (temanim) imaju krasan izgovor i čuvaju u izgovoru sve guturale. ofra kad je pjevala moderne pjesme ne bi pravila razliku u izgovoru, dok bi izvodeći tradicionalne pjesme čuvala te razlike u izgovoru. u svakom slučaju veseli me kad se i 20 godina nakon njene smrti ljudi zaljubljuju u njen glas ❤️

[@michalsiletsky2939]

Your must welcomed to isral❤❤

[@thechief0688]

You have to react Acá entre nos (Vivo), You Will love the final

[@expertvocalcoach5712]

This was a live performance btww

[@AhavaMath]

Just a note: Christians call it the wailing wall, Jews call it the western wall The wall is the outer wall to what was the (second?) temple. I imagine Christians call it the wailing wall because Jews who made it to Jerusalem and were able to make it to the wall would probably cry to be so close to were the temple was (and the loss of their homeland). Of course when Israel got the city back, people were crying at the wall because they had it back. There are very famous photos and paintings of the soldiers who first made it there crying as they prayed at the wall.

[@פינחסאמתיאדלר]

it was the outer wall of the teples, the first and the second.

[@moezhassoumi330]

Sa voix est un nom de Dieu c'est un ange ou une prophetesse...sans conteste elle est la meilleure chanteuse du monde Céline Dion et Barbra Streisand ne sont rien devant elle ! Elle est chante

[@ronda.8624]

The song " sola " by Diana Navarro at Salamanca beatiful voice

[@oullahtakanbghikhbibadialiawil]

so sad that she died of aids ...because of his husband who had it already r.i.p. ofra haza

[@ronda.8624]

Diana navarro the song " El perdón"

[@alexdelpeuch1641]

It is special to christians and muslims too.

[@mr.anonymous3552]

Please react to KATRINA VELARDE - *Somewhere Over The Rainbow* where she was wearing white blouse. Thanks! ☺☺

[@HofTheStage]

Or go the distance? :D

[@mr.anonymous3552]

@@HofTheStage Both were amazing, the Go The Distance is pure and angelic, while the Somewhere Over The Rainbow I think is unique! Cause her vocals in that performance was literally Flawless. Anyways,, I cant believe you actually replied. 😆😆 Thanks! I would love to see any of these two, but if you have time, why not both?? Or a *super reaction* 😄😄😊

[@HofTheStage]

@@mr.anonymous3552 hahah, I'll see what I can do, probably one at the time ;) I'll do my best

[@mr.anonymous3552]

@@HofTheStage yesss, thank you!!! More power!!! 😊😊

[@viktork.5987]

What is so special about this voice? A simple, simple voice. You need to listen to Diana Ankudinov.

[@scottm.gimple6816]

Ofra sings like an angel. Diana sings like a man. Theres the big difference.

[@likeaflower7427]

You did not just compare a 16 year old girl to a vocal legend. Boy go do some research about Ofra Haza. Don't embarrass yourself like this 🤦‍♂️😂

[@eurech]

Guys don't waste your time arguing with Viktor. Ofra wouldn't want us to argue with people. Remember that she was all about love and peace. I agree that nobody should be compared to Ofra, though. That being said, Diana is also unique. But they shouldn't be compared because their voices are like water and fire. Very different. I would recommend that Viktor does his own research about Ofra so he can be more knowledgable when it comes to her voice.

[@HofTheStage]

Dear Viktor, I've done a reaction to Diana already and yes, she's special and awesome, but so is Ofra. Besides, everybody has their own taste, we can't all like the same things, that would make a really monotonous world. Also, this is a channel for everybody, I react to a lot of singers so I can get the feel of diversity, I can't just stick to one or two singers, that would turn into a fan club and this is more an analytic channel. I really don't enjoy comparing singers because that's like mixing apples and oranges. There are some singers with a very minimum range that make me feel more emotion than the most virtuoso singers out there. Thanks for reading and be well!