My FIRST musical influence - Ben Levin

[@elliotportner8020]

It’s 2024 and I’m listening with joy. Hurray

[@emmettp709]

Have you ever considered making a documentary? I could watch hours of this.

[@tonympirrotta]

I couldn't agree more

[@KJmusic97]

Yeah this feels like a short Herzog film

[@dudeman5303]

@@KJmusic97 YES. That is EXACTLY what it feels like. I was trying to think of what it reminded me of and yeah, totally Herzog.

[@AimeeNolte]

What a beautiful man. Thank you for that, Ben.

[@mateoluppi7913]

the influence of my influence is also my influence

[@shanekeaney5492]

I’m influenced by your influence’s influence

[@bortjohnson829]

I'm influenced by the relationship between your influences influencing each other to influence you

[@uwu-nyaa]

thats great i love that your grand influence

[@robotluvr]

Beautiful. I felt very connected to this video. I hope we can make music together some day.

[@scorpiomischief]

What an incredible man. Thank you for sharing his voice, and his story, with us. It’s good to be reminded of the the power art has to unify us. In times like these, where hope feels in increasingly short supply; it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the influence of celebrities and talking heads. It’s easy to feel insignificant, or foolish for making things. But your video has reminded me that the things we create, even if they may seem inconsequential to us in the moment, can still have a profound impact on others. Cantors, Art teachers, choir directors, encouraging aunts and uncles, the list goes on and on- Those are the people who do the most to inspire us. They’re the unsung heros who touch us by sharing the things they love, simply because they love them. It’s the everyday people we meet in life that form and shape us. Watching them create is what plants the seed of creativity within all of us. Looking back it seems obvious to me now- but somewhere along the way I must have forgotten... Thank you for reminding me.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Beautifully said. Then the only problem is some people learn to love hate, just like they were taught to love hate by their elders. But I've seen many times how just one strong soul can easily break those chains of hate too. The power of love and the strength of compassion have always outclassed the the fear that is hate and the weakness that is greed. I think the real problem is so many utterly lack emotional wisdom, because they see emotions as weaknesses. But that entire idea is based on fear: an emotion. And an emotion that is being purposefully ignored too, making it's grip ever-tightening. This mind set is the most illogical and leads to major societal delusion when just a few are purposefully promoting a delusional idea and many others are compliant by simply not disagreeing (the _sandpaper_ he talks about @ 9:22 ). Some people just need to ask themselves (and answer honestly): _what am I afraid of?_ Fear has it's logical place in our experience as living beings, but we will never find a thing if we refuse to even try looking for it. Without fear we could hardly have survived or evolved past a single cell slime. The same can be said of anger: anger in it's purest form is energy to propel us into action. So many people (perhaps even most) don't understand that accepting we are emotional beings means we are unafraid to experience life, and are therefore *actually able* to work on being balanced and capable individuals. An emotionally balanced person is intrinsically wiser than those who hide and or negate feelings in themselves and others. But emotional balance (like balance of any type) can never come from denying the existence or importance of the thing that needs balancing. This is like a tightrope walker who ignores the rope: doomed to utter failure from the outset through wanton and purposeful ignorance. Note: sorry for preaching to the choir here. I was just inspired by your comment to add a couple of my thoughts. I especially like how you point out that most of our inspiration comes from the examples others set. It reminds me of one of the best books I ever read: _Your Life Is Your Message._

[@scorpiomischief]

Aylbdr Madison Your response was beautiful and much appreciated; I couldn’t agree more. Please don’t feel the need to apologize; I’m so glad to have read it.😊🧡

[@simondanielssonmusic]

Religious music, though it may seem to be very boring, is one of the most powerful forms of art given that the right person is performing the music. This is an amazing example of that.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

its never boring

[@bluefoxfox1459]

@@BrunoWiebelt it can be *cough*CCM*cough* on the other hand though, there is gospel and bach

[@BrunoWiebelt]

@@bluefoxfox1459 sorry my english is limited , I do not understand

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

Every drummer I know learned in the church. And if they didn't, they stopped drumming after their class ended. Most of the bass players too.

[@ctrlaltshift]

@@BrunoWiebelt Bluefox is referring to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), which is a common form of worship in the church right now. It's very dull/watered down and has nowhere near the emotion or complexity that this music does. Adam Neely did a video that explains it pretty well.

[@oldgoat381]

It genuinely makes me sad that after 2 months this has less than 20k views, as this is one of the most powerful videos I have ever seen and I have to rewatch it every couple weeks

[@stockicide]

For those interested, the album shown at 6:10, "Voices Four" by Arbaah Kolot, is available to listen to for free on youtube. It's a lot jazzier than I was expecting!

[@sierra3644]

thank you!!!!

[@joycesanders4898]

jazzLove 🖤💛💗💚

[@ScrewedTimeLord]

I’m a born and bar mitzvah’d jew. Like Ben, I never felt very religious, and after my bar mitzvah my family and I pretty much disengaged with formal practice. I don’t know if it’s the fantastic visuals and narrative of this video, but hearing the music of your cantor, his voice, the harmony, it’s brought me almost to tears. Thank you for making this and putting it out into the world, Ben. Thank you.

[@karolinator452]

I was going to write my own comment but it's as though you read my mind and beat me to it ❤

[@Brillemeister]

Quite a foundation for a lifetime of musicality. Thanks for sharing. God bless

[@mattb4640]

WOW what a voice. I can definitely see how his singing would make a lasting impression on a child. I think of this as the "inception moment". I recall mine, laying on my back in my basement one night listening to Kashmir through my big brother's ipod nano, looking up at the ceiling. i can remember it so clearly. My whole concept of what music was and what it could do to the listener was profoundly changed by the end of that song.

[@yyyaaannniiivvv]

Your musical influenced started way before hearing your Hazzan. Being a Levi your ancestors were standing on the temple floor and singing in divine harmony, guided by prophet level connection to the higher spiritual world. The world of music has diminished to but a shadow since the temple was destroyed. But your inner soul is still connected, father to son, to the Levi's that came before you all the way back to the days of the temple.

[@elliotportner8020]

Thank you Ben!

[@callummoodley6311]

That last scene hit me like a ton of bricks

[@brandondelgado3467]

Watching this man almost break down, after reliving his time in his mind makes me just want to bawl like a baby

[@BenGreen1980]

@@brandondelgado3467 another piece of that I think is that the prayer to "rebuild Jerusalem" isn't just about the restoration of a city or even a people. But it's about a yearning to restore and repair the world. In the context of that memory, and in thinking on the brokenness of our world, that prayer is pretty appropriate.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

Wow. Schmaltz - "Excessive sentimentality, especially in music or films." From the word "schmelzen" which means to melt. "Shmalts" being the Yiddish word for rendered chicken fat. Essentially to make the audience melt. How's that for passion.

[@dach3405]

This is like some next level artistry of how to communicate with your audience. Not only do you compose, write and perform your own songs (with fellow musicians) but you do your own animations and videos, are educational and use your platform to talk about important issues and point of views. Everything is sort of tangled together. I really like how your mind works and the way you described your relationship to music and your cultural backgound. Being atheist myself I still feel culturally connected to my Christian backgound and quite a big part of that is through music, the memories of singing e.g. Bach's St John Passion or Christmas Oratorio in a boys choir as a kid or the hymns I remember from my childhood. Thanks for yet another interesting video. Your channel is a true gem in the vast sea of You Tube content creators.

[@Merlincat007]

I like the surprising turn into speaking about racism. Nice musing on the idea of not letting oneself be a bystander. And great illustrations during the story and great animations throughout!

[@JusticeCow]

Thanks!

[@rafaelmonte4263]

Wow, some parts of this almost made me cry, what a powerful message

[@dougthemoleman]

Wow, what a voice!

[@nandakoryaaa]

Ben, you're an influence too :)

[@beenis08]

Reminding me and others that music unifies people and strengthens bonds, what an incredible man.

[@ConnorKreitz]

The singing style reminds me a lot of flamenco, very emotional and evocative.

[@grumomusic]

Makes sense, there are clear Sefardic and Arab roots in Flamenco! 👌

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

wow this got me thinking about my first influences. I would normally think first guitar influence but I know that's not my first musical one. Thanks for sharing!

[@evanpincus2203]

Ben, thank you. I feel similarly to you, as a Jewish musician who’s never really practiced the faith but still feels a deep and vital connection to it anyway, and I truly appreciate your honesty on this matter. It takes guts to discuss religious music with the respect it deserves on a public forum.

[@bradgoffmusic]

Damn... what a tenor.

[@thisisanexonym]

That clip at the end gave me chills. When I heard his voice at first something clicked and I could hear how it influenced how you feel out melodies with your voice on your songwriting videos. When I think back to who would've been my first musical influence it most certainly would be Andrew Bird. Everything I've ever made has sprung from the loins of a botched imitation of his lyrics, melodies and song forms.

[@bennybear6789]

I'm not a religious man, yet his voice gave me chills. Keep up the good work Ben. Stay safe my dude.

[@aienbalosaienbalos4186]

Getting to hear him sing live every week was such an incredible privilege. I am so jealous! haha

[@haydensinger222]

Your cantor reminds me of my grandfather. He was a gabbi at my temple and was very religious. He passed over a year ago but his form of storytelling was very similar to his. Thank you Ben :)

[@Lemwell7]

While my earliest influence at all was the jazz my mom would take me to see, the first time I was deeply impacted by music was in seventh grade at my classmates bar mitzvahs. I wasn’t Jewish so after that I didn’t know where to go to find that music so I kinda just listened to the same few songs I could find over and over for years. I didn’t think much of it but once I started playing music I kept finding myself deeply attracted to Jewish music in various forms depending on what I was playing at the time. When I started learning clarinet and was playing jazz I found Klezmer, and now as someone passionate about choral music I’ve found great Jewish Choral music, and it’s influenced so much of what I write without even thinking about it. They say middle school is a super formative time for your music tastes and I guess it just really burrowed itself into my mind at 12.

[@psychoidmusic]

Great video Ben! A story well told.

[@schniT_T]

My first influence was also religious, but Christian and jewish at the same time, both in lyricism and music. I grew up in a part russian orthodox part jewish family. My parents are christian so that tradition was prevalent. In the church i went to a lot of the music had Greek, Georgian and Russian roots. In the liturgy there is a moment when the choir sings the hymn to the cherubim and in my church; it was (that's what we called her in russian at least) arranged to the Georgian motif shen khar venahi. Really recommend giving it a listen. It's beautiful

[@LightsOnTrees]

Wow Ben, perfect video. In terms of the huge range of creativity you normally show, this depth is something else.

[@MrPuff1026]

I similarly feel the same way about Judaism for me as a very spiritual rather than necessarily religious aspect of my life! The cantor at my synagogue went extremely hard as well. When I sing and hum ideas, I find myself humming in line a lot with how and what my cantor sung. So great to see another one influenced in a similar way. Thanks for the awesome vid!

[@alexrubin3450]

As a young Jewish musician myself this video is incredibly impactful and motivational. I've never really examined the effect religion has on my own music so you've given me much to think about. Thank you for making this video, Ben.

[@tonympirrotta]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@DroneCorpse]

Thank you Ben.

[@kimandaya9252]

This was so lovely, Ben. I think this might be my favorite video of yours yet. Thank you for sharing your and your people's story.

[@_Helm_]

Crying at the passion of Hazzan Elliot Portner's voice. Thank you!

[@sierra3644]

this is a wonderfully made video with a very touching topic... THANK YOU !! !

[@bighugejake]

That note at 11:26 holy crap

[@tedtooley9636]

very moving - a pleasure to watch. thank you ben xx

[@TheNormalUniverse]

This video is a jewel, thank you for making it

[@erlingiix1931]

The music was so strong, it was overwhelmingly emotional and spiritual. I have never been affected by music like i was listening to this. Thank you.

[@alabi-michaelakande1210]

Incredible..thank you for taking the time to make and share! No way not to feel that last song.

[@jkdeadite]

Dang, Ben is effin' killing it lately.

[@LowEndLobster]

You are a beautiful human being.

[@LiquidBassBrony]

My first influence was probably my dad. He plays guitar and his skill has always impressed me, even up to this day. So yeah that's probably what got me into music.

[@jimbocarrino763]

What does he play?

[@iamveryconfusedabout]

mine too, but I later came to discover that he wasn't really that good, but by then I already loved music so it was fine

[@PaulHobbs23]

We are lucky to have you in our lives.

[@davestern2912]

Thank YOU, Ben, for sharing Chazan Portner with us. I am moved beyond belief, with pride and with love! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Anya4848]

Thanks for sharing such good quality content. That was incredible listening to his story, and you adding these few comments that leave enough space for the listener to think makes it even more amazing. Silence is powerful.

[@oElCapitan]

Most bizarrely coincidental video to apparently be the first viewer of

[@baruchaloids2323]

the most anticlimatic video to be the second viewer of

[@menicman7044]

the most "eh" comment to be the 3rd replier(?) of

[@myribsbroke]

I related to this very much. I have found over the years that the songs we sang on Shabbat, in Hebrew school, and at sleep away camp have all influenced the way I approach phrasing and tonality. Todah rabah, Ben!

[@oilertay]

I am SO glad KZbin decided to recommend this to me. I forgot how incredible this music and story was. I think this may be my favorite YT video ever. Thank you so much.

[@lbauerer]

You just saved my life

[@Barabyk]

Incredible and touching. Thanks for sharing!

[@UncleWalter1]

I've been on a similar path lately, reflecting on the origins of my little musical universe and how it has grown from those early experiences. One of the most moving videos I've seen from you. Thank you for sharing this.

[@v.958]

Hazan so completely embodies the music

[@Daslikdj]

I'm not watching this video. I am living with this video.

[@NicStage]

"my god...his voice" I see what you did there...

[@EclecticSceptic]

Brilliant video Ben, I'm very glad I found you and subscribed to your channel.

[@LePilinSivuple]

This was a very interesting video. Ben... You are a treasure.

[@kendalldoubek8018]

Beautiful, Ben. Thank you.

[@aevillarreal]

Ben I absolutely love your channel every video you post it's amazing and I am truly happy that I get to know at least a bit of how you experience and feel music

[@lucasgraeff5391]

Ben I've always loved music but I didn't know I loved it so much. Everyday that I listen to music I end up loving it even more, and your channel and your experiences are helping me to find out why I love what I do and I get motivation to create! Thank you very much

[@yakmartin5429]

"Music is a state of mind which is unbelievable; it is so beautiful. It is an ecstasy that cannot be explained. Often tears come to my eyes; it is a beautiful pain. It is the pain of trying to reach out. You feel that someone is there. You are trying your best to reach out but you cannot reach. So it is a pain which makes you so sad but that sadness has such beauty in it that it is like a happiness at the same time. That is the real spirit of music." Ravi Shankar 🧸💕🎶🦠🔨

[@JJblunden]

Love this!

[@jakefeldstein5308]

This was really moving. Thank you for your videos Ben

[@xBUMSKIx]

This is your masterpiece, brother.

[@IndependenceGuitar]

Ben, you’re a great mind. I hope someday i get to jam with you, I imagine I’d learn a lot.

[@hi_im_buggy]

Incredible. Absolutely breathtaking. Thank you Ben.

[@patricksummey1982]

That was beautiful, Ben!

[@hippyzilla]

Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. Got played on long car journeys and is scorched into the musical area of my mind.

[@elliotportner8020]

Vtiharti otom vhayuli liam is chanted in haftorah melody

[@graysonwright8004]

Beautiful. Damn Ben

[@zachiscreaaative]

Wow Ben. Really really excellent job on this project. Your openness about your musical influences starting in religion is incredibly admirable and really made me understand where your musical influences have come from. The video quality and editing is top notch. Please more stuff like this in the future. I’m blown away.

[@chcknpie04]

What an INCREDIBLE voice. Wow. This guy could out sing Luciano.

[@eleeadams]

What a spectacular voice!

[@nicholaswise5818]

Very powerful music and a very powerful video

[@StraitjacketWillie]

Getting legitimate chills from music happens so rarely, but wow does this man's voice cause them in me.

[@e.j.leonard2379]

Love your way with words

[@shadcovert1160]

WOW. Phenomenal content. Felt like I was sitting in the room with the 3 of you.

[@sunnydavid5149]

Wow this was emotional.

[@0Enigmatic0]

That style actually sounds really cool. The interview was wonderful, loved watching this.

[@johnathanhelton]

I feel the specialness of the moment pretty regularly. Not just in music, but all things. To think that the exact atoms and molecules that are present during this moment are unique. Every moment is unique and special.

[@mannyglover]

beautiful

[@Llamadangles]

What amazing magical music. Thanks for sharing this and your story.

[@jarmtl]

what a great singer! thank you

[@willowbeaudet1431]

This reminds me of Abida Parveen and the Sufi tradition as well. Thank you ben, for introducing me to this wonderful spiritual connection to my past as a Jewish person.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

deep touching thank you

[@matiasdatri9917]

Lately you've been an inspiration to me. This video it's very powerfull, really moved me. Thank you!

[@KalanSorion]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing Ben!

[@zackrickabaugh5456]

Very beautiful Ben

[@euphoriafades]

Wow, that is a truly beautiful video. Thank you!

[@yishayahubass]

Such an incredible video wow you are amazing ben

[@robertryl]

What a beautiful video. Thank you for making it.

[@acutebabyangle]

I don't follow any certain religion but that last scene caused me to cry uncontrollably. When this man sings I feel his love and his pain. Spiritual connections persist with or without religion and music is a direct link to one's spirituality.

[@mmoncur]

Wow, Ben, this was beautiful. I subscribe to your channel because it's absolutely irrelevant to the kind of music I make but somehow inspiring anyway -- and this is a great example. Hearing Portner's story about Alabama was touching, and watching him react to hearing his own singing with such total admiration of the music was absolutely beautiful. I'm not religious but if I heard that man sing once a week I probably would be... Keep doing what you do!

[@markbaturin5765]

love your vids! excellent visuals and content.keep it up 🤙🏼

[@eklipsoverda]

Thank you for this powerful story, and for the insight that goes with it.

[@adityaaytida1988]

Thanks Ben for sharing this!!