Pop music’s leader of the pack, Ellie Greenwich, dies at 68

Published on August 26, 2009

Ellie Greenwich, who co-wrote some of pop music's most enduring songs, including Chapel of Love, Be My Baby and Leader of the Pack, died Wednesday, according to her niece. She was 68.

Music: All ‘Transport Systems’ are ‘go’ for Ari Gold’s album vision

By Nick Street
Published on October 4, 2007

"I'm feeling shtetl fabulous," singer Ari Gold confesses on the opening track of "Transport Systems," his fourth studio album and the first to reflect his creative vision from concept to completion.

Sounds to stir your soul

By George Robinson
Published on September 13, 2007

The records reviewed here are not all (or even mostly) High Holy Days music, but each of them is focused on their spiritual content as much as on the music itself. As a result, they seem an unusually apt group for this time of year.

Music and religion reflect singer’s commitment to God

By Danielle Berrin
Published on August 23, 2007

Talking with Dana Mase is like listening to her sing. Her gentle voice calms, even soothes, and you find yourself compelled to listen as she recounts experiences of her troubled childhood and her passionate faith.

Rita, Israel’s reigning diva,  plays intimate evening in L.A.

By Orit Arfa
Published on May 31, 2007

Only Rita could have pulled it off. Her famous "One" concert was the first time any Israeli recording artist has attempted such an extravagant, multimedia performance. With its crew of 50 tumbling dancers, grandiose costumes, pyrotechnics and video art, the $5 million production looked like it came right off the Las Vegas Strip.

Cute, menschy boy bands make traditional tunes cool

By Leah Hochbaum
Published on November 30, 2006

n June 2005, the Backstreet Boys released "Never Gone," an album filled not with the teeth-rotting pop confections of the group's youth, but with songs of a more adult contemporary style.The album's relative failure marked a turning point in mainstream music -- Backstreet wasn't selling, *NSYNC had disbanded and nobody ever really cared what happened to 98 Degrees. The era of the boy band was officially over. In the pop world, that is. In the Orthodox world, it had only just begun.