Album Notes

Music critic, Frank DeBlase, of Rochester City newspaper writes, “Susan Krasner’s “threads” is an adventurous juxtaposition of the current and the historic, with Krasner’s sweet and sturdy voice intoning traditional Jewish prayers over jazzy rhythms. It breathes new life into the prayers, bringing them to Gentile ears who would ordinarily never hear them, and at the same time offers the faithful an interesting way to explore their faith. Gentle grooves and well thought-out instrumental treatment gives “threads” the earthiness of world beat and universal appeal with its pop patina”.

Susan Krasner is a singer, religious school music teacher and youth choir director at her synagogue in Rochester, NY. “The first time I sat through a Jewish prayer service was as a grown adult. I had traveled the world in search of God and Truth, but my search had been disappointing. Eventually I met my husband and soon after attended my first Jewish service. Although at that time I did not understand Hebrew, the melodies themselves evoked in me great longing and deep connection. That is how my Jewish journey began. These spiritual melodies opened a doorway that ultimately drew me into an exploration of the divinity in all of life. Eventually I converted to Judaism and have never stopped praying, studying, and singing, all to express my love of the Divine. These prayers are the threads that hold me deeper into the fabric of knowing God and the source that hold life together as one.”

The particular melodies in this collection are traditional and folk in origin. Here they have been orchestrated in ways that stay true to the basic original melodies while developed into original contemporary arrangements.