38 years after the release of his first album, Mordechai Ben David sings original chassidic niggunim, the man who has been called the undisputed king of Jewish music has announced the release of what will be his final album.
The album, titled Kisufim, is slated to be released on Tuesday by Aderet Music and will contain 14 songs, including ten new compositions and four old niggunim, two of which date back a century or more and features significant vocal contributions by the Shira Choir.
A member of one of Jewish music’s most heralded families, Mordechai Ben David’s musical career began when his father, the legendary Chazan Dovid Werdyger, overheard him playing original musical compositions and suggested he record an album of his own, which was released in 1973.
MBD has become a fixture on the concert circuit with numerous appearances in the HASC concert series and the annual Chabad Telethon. Many of his classic songs remain as popular today as they were when they were first released years ago.
Kisufim will be MBD’s 36 full length solo album, in addition to four singles and having appeared on over thirty five other albums in his very lengthy career. He described this album as having a very different flavor than his most recent hit album, Kulam Ahuvim, whose songs have proven to be a mainstay on the wedding circuit.
“This particular album is a very warm, chasidishe album, something I have wanted to do for many, many years, and I plan to sign off with it. It is a mix of new material and old nigunim, with original material by Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz, Yitzchak Fuchs and myself. I am madly in love with it.”
In an exclusive interview with VIN News, MBD spoke about his decision and the current state of Jewish music.
VIN: Is this really your last album?
MBD: That is the current plan.
VIN: Does this announcement mean you are leaving the Jewish music scene entirely?
MBD: I am only retiring from albums.
VIN: What made you take this step?
MBD: Putting together an album is too much work. People don’t realize how much goes into an album. Unfortunately, electronic media has destroyed the CD business and even the biggest secular companies are going under because people just download music they find online. The way it is right now, it really doesn’t pay to do an album.
VIN: In that case, what does the future hold for Jewish music?
MBD: Moshiach will come and we will have the music of the Leviyim in the Beis Hamikdash.
VIN: What are your thoughts on current Jewish music?
MBD: Unfortunately I really have no time to listen and don’t really know what is going on in Jewish music. I do know that it has taken a completely different direction and Chasidic music is no longer Chasidic music.
VIN: What do you think is missing in today’s Jewish music?
MBD: Hartz, which has to be the main ingredient in any album. If music doesn’t come from the heart it is nothing.
VIN: What do you think is the reason you are still around and popular so many years later?
MBD: Siyata d’ishmaya.
VIN: Thank you for your time.
hu r u a fan of?!?!?!
love the title:)
when rabbi ysrael shemtov took mbd for dollers after simchas bais hasoaivah the rebbe said that when moshiach will come he will also have to sing.
MBD YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVOURITE!:)
like #17
I’m sure this last album will be a huge hit and gr-8 success!! and then there are always concerts that i think are ten times better than listening to a recording, so don’t worry cause very soon Hashem will Let Our People Go! and the entire world will know that Jerusalem Is NOT For Sale! So we can do it with Just One Shabbas and SOMEDAY We Will All Be Together in Yerushalyim B’Ezratz Hashem!!! Amen! May we merit to have the Gehula Shalaima, Final Real Redemption speedily right away with Moshiach Tzidkainue now! Amen! Gmar Chasima Tova!
for example: “Let My People Go”. “Lonely People” “Yidden” “Timcheh Zecher Amalek” and of course “Shir Hashalom” the yiddisher hartz just oozes out.
mordechai ben david you da man!
hi this is what i dont get, true he will never be able to hit notes like he did 20 years ago. but, as of the last 5/6 years he sings most of his songs in a casual low tone sing along voice, which makes him not much different to the other million singers out there. i miss mbd for the powerful voice, the lion`s roar – compare even mbd at priority 1 concert just ten years ago, to now. theres no comparison, the voice is completly different. how can a man`s voice change so fast, its just strange. we… Read more »
you can download individual mbd (and other artists) songs at mostlymusic.com
Growing up my grandmother always played your music on her record player. My fondest memories. We’ve never stopped listening to your music nor will we.
It really is a shame the way the music industry has changed. Your music is from the heart and soul, nothing like it!!!
What will become of all the memories? Are they just scattered with the dust in the breeze? No! Never! Please continue to perform, you are the best.
Two of my favorite MBD recorded moments –
1. In Solid Gold III, “Hearts of Gold” with (almost) all Jewish singers, MBD owns it! He comes into his solo with such a powerful force, it leaves no doubt who is the king…
2. Anovim on the 8th Note. A masterpiece, masterfully sung.
MBD, your failure to read the way the market is going and your insistance on old fasioned distribution of your music is the real reson people are not buying your albums I think that there was a natural decline in popularity especially among young music consumers due to the abondence of new talent that in all honesty owes their success to MBD and his way of producing music and his showmenship but if you want to retire in dignity, don’t blame piracy, after all you made your living off the same fans you now blame for the end of your… Read more »
He stated it all even Fried (who is great) copied him when he started. Kal vochomer all the other singers who are not as good as Fried. Benny is not bad but nothing even remotely close to MBD’s abilities.
There are some good singers but they will never make it because it is very hard to make it as a newcomer in the business. (even the Jewish star competition proved to not be effective as the few talented singers did not win and judges missed the mark when choosing who they chose).
I have no hope 🙁
30 and 31 all the way!!!
Listen to what he is saying. Never mind moaning about itunes etc. He said people are ILLEGALLY COPYING his music. I personally saw loads of bochrim with MP3s of Jewish music they copied! If we don’t buy it who will! It is the same problem for all jewish music. Keep halocho and keep the music coming – pay for it!
What an amazing performer and artist… Greatest songs are with toichen; not the ones repeating pesukim over and over again…
You made my happy for 38 years
THANK YOU
To download music for free when its mean’t to be at a cost is straight up theft(avera). According to Torah you must abide by laws of the country you live in as long as its fair and just for all peoples of that land. ie: USA it is illegal to download copied music when it should be a cost. This is a problem for all software and music on the internet. Stop stealing!?!?
Mordechai Ben David is not stopping to sing. He said he is stopping making ALBUMS because they are not proifitable anymore. Since the advent of downloading music and pirating music has come along, sales of albums have declined. MBD will continue to perform at concerts and other private events.
he is the original one. everyone else, everyone else is an imitation of him.
He loves the Jewish people, loves israel, loves shabbos and yearns for moshiach and it is in every song. He is an ohev yisroel, a mamin, a humble person, a true yidishe hartz. best role model ever for singers. MBD forever.
12 – you’re someyhing strange i tell you! , 21- all yyou say is true true true!, also, 6 – just keep ur mouth closed, thank you, and WE LOVE YOU MORDECHAI BEN DAVID! YOUVE BEEN THE KING OF JEWISH MUSIC FOR SO LONG AND WILL ALWAYS BE!
VIN: Is this really your last album?
MBD: That is the current plan.
“Current” plans change! The “last” album will be the last – until the next one comes out.
amazing how MBD says if hes out nobody else can be good. please MBD you had your time now let someone else take the stage! benny is a rising star and avremel
to Avraham Fried quite a while ago.
either that or he isnt listenign to the rebbe’s directives.
Thank for all the years please please make another cd after this, where will be without you?
wow, tactful… even as a joke…
really not funny, sorry.
why are you going to stop singing
Guys,
Whether you like it or not…or understand it or not! MBD is the KING of Music from day 1!!! Everything and anything he’s done everyone copies…
He’s also a dynamic performer. His performance is real. His smile is real. He connects with his audience. From the second he hits the stage to the minute he leaves he grasps and captivates each person in the crown…etc……
Mordechai ben david we love you forever
Does anybody know where I can download this album…..kidding. No seriously, where? (kidding again).
Dear MBD,,,
Please I beg you not to stop. Now is when we need u more than ever. Jewish music is going down the drain. Plzzzz
If only everyone can just live peacefully and judge everyone favorably. Thank you MBD for all the music you brought into our world! We look forward to your new album and to continue seeing you on stage and at concerts.
Keep up the great work!
Watch out what you say here!!! this is not just comments…this could break someones heart!!! becareful with what you write #12!!! and stop judging so quickly..MBD is right with what he is saying!!! (Hes not saying avrohom fried is not singing from his heart but what he is saying that 99.9 percent of “Jewish Singers” today are not sounding jewish!!!) so please becareful with what you write and just remember its almost Yom kippur!
cmon! its right after rosh hashanah..watch urself
guys remember hes only retiring form albums…he can still do concerts and stuff
to # 2- 🙂 wow
either way, he’s not done entertaining yidden. just done making albums
maybe these great singers should just stick to singing and enough with the ridiculous costumes and pathetic acting attempts and yes more “hartz” ….I used to love these guys till they turned into the clowns they are today!!!
U R still the King & will always be……….
is he saying avrohom fried does not sing from the heart?
MBD sorry you were out of the music world 10 years ago avremel is todays star!
CAN’T BE 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁
Everyone must go out and buy this one
i miss you mbd!
or his age!
never could think a man like you can stop. u can still change your mind,please?
Mbd we will miss you!
I think his very noticeably fading voice might also have something to do with this decision. And secular companies aren’t folding; they’ve gotten in touch with the times, and appreciate they can only sell tracks, not bundle albums. And make them available for direct download onto listening devices.
If you’re still distributing through an outdated technology, and using an outdated business model of bundling half an hour of auditory torture with two hit songs, yes, you might find the market will try to circumvent you
very sad indeed ALTHOUGH I have of recent purchased all my music from iTunes and I was hoping MBD would catch on but he has almost nothing available, if you wish not to get burned by technology try embracing it a bit
very sad
yesterday he was the star…
and look at the stars today…
the Rebbe said to him that he will entertain yidden until Moshiach comes, if he’s stopping it must be because Moshiach is here!
MBD we love you!
i cant wait till Tuesday. i will be up all night waiting to buy your best album!!!!!!!!!!!!!