On January 17, 1994, Los Angeles experienced an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 which killed 72 people, injured 9,000 others, and caused $20 billion in damage. One community there responded by organizing a benefit concert where the proceeds would go to a local earthquake relief fund. My first album, 'RebbeSoul' had recently been released and had

On January 17, 1994, Los Angeles experienced an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 which killed 72 people, injured 9,000 others, and caused $20 billion in damage. One community there responded by organizing a benefit concert where the proceeds would go to a local earthquake relief fund. My first album, 'RebbeSoul' had recently been released and had success in the mainstream music world. I was invited to perform. I brought along some of my band mates to help out, especially backing up some of the other artists, among whom, was Reb Shlomo Carlebach. There were some opening acts and then we were called up to play. At the end of our set, we played Avinu. Usually, it is a rousing and powerful piece and this night was no exception. Afterwards, I ventured out into the audience and noticed a friend motioning me to come over. As I got closer, I saw Reb Shlomo sitting next to him. My friend said, "I want to introduce you to someone," and introduced me to a man who has probably had the most profound influence on Jewish culture in my lifetime. Reb Shlomo slowly rose from his chair, his eyes fixed on me almost in bewilderment. His mouth was open but hadn't said anything yet. He embraced me and then said one sentence I shall never forget. He exclaimed, "Gevalt! It was from another world!" With those words, he showed what the Hassidic masters had always claimed about music - that it can be a holy instrument, connecting our world here with the one above, from the heart to the Heavens. I realized I was in the presence of someone who not only understood but lived that notion. He knew - we musicians are channels. Once we hone our skills enough, the best thing we can do is get out of the way and let the light of Heaven shine through. I was in the presence of a real holy man. "Gevalt! It was from another world!" That is where the title for this RebbeSoul album comes from. It is entirely the music of Reb Shlomo Carlebach and It is called "From Another World." Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach was one of the greatest spiritual teachers in the last 100 years. People adored him from all over the world, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu,... black, white, red,... young, old,... He always said he had a great wish to meet everyone, to make friends with everyone, everywhere. He touched many. He also wrote over 2000 songs and this is my humble performance of his profoundly simple yet deeply spiritual music that truly alludes to something From Another World. -RebbeSoul.

Rotem Az-Ogen - drums

Moran Baron - bass

Amiram Granat - sax

Bruce Burger/RebbeSoul - all production and arrangements, guitars, bass, balalaika, bouzouki, saz, keyboards, percussion, programming, loops, photography, no sleep, ...

Dan Gil - tracking acoustic guitar, bouzouki, saz

Tracked at Bubble Studios and the RebbeSoul mobile studio

Mixed and Mastered at Super Sonic Studios by Amit Golan

Dedicated to my dear sister Wendy, of blessed memory. You are missed.

Common Tongue is a universal language. It is a smile, laughter, tears,… it is music.

Joel Alpers – drums, kalimba

Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul) – guitars, balalaika, samples, programming

Steve Carter – keyboards

Deep Den – bass

Cassio Duarte – percussion

Lynn Rose – vocals

with... Randy Rood – digeridoo on “Old City”

Rita Altman – voice at end of “Step

Common Tongue is a universal language. It is a smile, laughter, tears,… it is music.

Joel Alpers – drums, kalimba

Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul) – guitars, balalaika, samples, programming

Steve Carter – keyboards

Deep Den – bass

Cassio Duarte – percussion

Lynn Rose – vocals

with... Randy Rood – digeridoo on “Old City”

Rita Altman – voice at end of “Step Into My World”

Anna Hernandez – additional vocals on “Give It Up”

Billy Bass from WMJI, Wayne Wong from WZRU, Stevie K. - DJ voices on “Radio Man”

Eli Yonah and Alex Surin - arrangement and engineering on Club Mix for “White Rabbit”

Joel Alpers, Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul), Steve Carter, Cassio Duarte, Lynn Rose, and Deep Den wrote “Open Window.”

Joel Alpers wrote “Old City.”

Grace Slick wrote (Irving Music Publishing BMI) "White Rabbit.”

Lynn Rose, Anna Hernandez, and Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul) wrote “Give it Up.”

Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul) wrote everything else.

Produced by Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul Music BMI)

This album and the one-man musical play are called RebbeSoul-O

for sometimes we choose to be alone,

unplugged.

Stripped down to the fringes..

We are all cut of the same cloth, you and I,

singing the song of Angels

while we dance across the narrow bridge of life

trying not to look down,

trying not to be afraid,

Kol Ha'Olam Kulo..

And if you ever do

This album and the one-man musical play are called RebbeSoul-O

for sometimes we choose to be alone,

unplugged.

Stripped down to the fringes..

We are all cut of the same cloth, you and I,

singing the song of Angels

while we dance across the narrow bridge of life

trying not to look down,

trying not to be afraid,

Kol Ha'Olam Kulo..

And if you ever do become afraid,

just take my hand,

I'll do what I can to make things alright-

and together we'll listen,

all you have to do is listen-

And if the music makes you want to dance,

then dance the day away,

never stop dancing,

To stop dancing is to stop living.

Yeah, turn me on, Sister Sarah,

turn us on, RebbeSoul.

Shalom--Richard Krevolin,

June 6, 1997, Los Angeles, CA

Play written and directed by Richard Krevolin

Produced by Bruce Burger/RebbeSoul and he played bass, balalaika, mandolin, guitar, percussion, synthesizer, programming, and sang

"An outstanding acoustic guitarist, Burger also plays balalaika and mandolin while singing in both Hebrew and English. His compositions take acoustic rock into a mystical realm, and the traditional tune Avinu shines in an arrangement that fits wonderfully with the gorgeous melody." - Playboy

“RebbeSoul-O is a collage of music and narration accented with hip jive, sing-a-longs and audience participation. The strength of this... cabaret performance is the beauty of its musical sound... created live with classical guitar and balalaika blended with pre-recorded music combining various string, keyboard and percussion instruments.” - Drama-Logue

Rises to a majestic rock opera crescendo with sizzling guitar licks" -San Francisco Examiner

“Avinu... a stirring electric rendition. It’s cool. It’s Jewish.” - Billboard

“Superbly produced... with a heavy dose of jazz and... world music... Fringe Of Blue is a spendid work.” - New York Jewish Week

“... reaches deeply into the Jewish musical past,

Rises to a majestic rock opera crescendo with sizzling guitar licks" -San Francisco Examiner

“Avinu... a stirring electric rendition. It’s cool. It’s Jewish.” - Billboard

“Superbly produced... with a heavy dose of jazz and... world music... Fringe Of Blue is a spendid work.” - New York Jewish Week

“... reaches deeply into the Jewish musical past, yet stretches to embrace modern expressions” - NAPRA Review

“I love this record! ... Though completely contemporary in arrangement, beautiful songs... easily retain their deeply powerful, heartfelt inspiration and spiritual import. ... Burger is able to make truly unique world music that is completely enjoyable for all ages.” - New Age Retailer

“Burger does a fine job of being a one-man show... when you’re through listening... you can’t help but feel you’ve somehow made a new friend.” - Music Connection

“Burger blends melody and electricity... there’s a depth of soul that sucks you in.” - Gavin Report

Bruce Burger/RebbeSoul - vocals, all instruments, programming, and production.

Anna

“Burger does a fine job of being a one-man show... when you’re through listening... you can’t help but feel you’ve somehow made a new friend.” - Music Connection

“Burger blends melody and electricity... there’s a depth of soul that sucks you in.” - Gavin Report

Bruce Burger/RebbeSoul - vocals, all instruments, programming, and production.

Anna Hernandez - vocals