Los Angeles sisters Haim have joined the ranks of some amazing musicians who have contributed to a new record celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
For close to 20 years now, indie icons Yo La Tengo have been celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with an (almost) annual concert.
A popular event for fans from all walks of life, it appears as though the concerts have inspired something of a spin-off, with Pitchfork reporting that a number of high-profile artists have now taken part in a new Hanukkah compilation album.
Released via Verve Forecast and produced by Wes Anderson collaborator Randall Poster, Hanukkah+ is set for release on November 22nd, one month before 2019’s Hanukkah celebrations begin.
Featuring the likes of The Flaming Lips, Jack Black, Adam Green, and Yo La Tengo themselves, the latter released a statement describing their involvement in the project.
“When our old friend Randy Poster asked us to contribute to an album of Hanukkah songs he was putting together, we were kind of stumped,” Yo La Tengo explained.
“As non-practicing Jews (and non-Jews), truthfully the holiday has little meaning for us (that’s the meta joke behind Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah shows), but we were open to inspiration.
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“We thought maybe another friend, Sam Elwitt, could crack the code, and we think he did a fantastic job with his composition ‘Eight Candles’.”
The compilation also sees Haim taking on a Leonard Cohen classic, with their cover of ‘If It Be You Will’ following the release of their singles ‘Summer Girl’ and ‘Now I’m In It’. Check out Leonard Cohen’s original version below.
Check out ‘If It Be Your Will’ by Leonard Cohen:
Hanukkah+ tracklisting:
1. Jack Black – ‘Oh Hanukkah’
2. Adam Green – ‘Dreidels Of Fire’
3. Yo La Tengo – ‘Eight Candles’
4. Haim – ‘If It Be Your Will’
5. The Flaming Lips – ‘Sing It Now, Sing It Somehow’
6. Alex Frankel – ‘Hanukkah in ’96’
7. Buzzy Lee – ‘Give You Everything’
8. Tommy Guerrero – ‘Dedication’
9. Loudon Wainwright III – ‘Eight Nights A Week’
10. Watkins Family Hour – ‘Hanukkah Dance’
11. Craig Wedren – ‘Sanctuary’
12. Jack Black – ‘Chad Gadya (Passover Bonus)’
