Today (12/9/19) marks one year since the passing of one of Israel’s most beloved musical icons, Yigal Bashan. Bashan took his own life at age 68. As you might expect, the Israeli music world was shocked and devastated by his passing.
In the months that passed, however, the music community quickly decided that it would be proper – no, required – to release an album to celebrate his life and his legacy. So a number of artists got to work on new, contemporary versions of Bashan’s greatest hits.
After releasing preview tracks by Shlomi Shabbat in August and A-WA in November, producers released the complete album this morning, the anniversary of his death. “Im Hayiti Shar Lach” is an album of 13 songs – all produced by Guy V’yahel – featuring an impressive list of Israel’s top singers.
Listen to the entire Yigal Bashan Tribute Album
Here is the full track listing from the new album:
- Shlomi Shabbat – Itach
- Peter Rot – Im Hayiti Shar Lach
- Yuval Dayan – Ten Li
- Elia Gabbay – Anachnu Nisharim BaAretz
- Noa Kirel – Yesh Li Tzipor Ktana BaLev
- Itay Levy – Cafe Etzel Barta
- Jane Bordeaux – Ein Gedi
- A-WA – V’david Yefeh Einayim
- Omri Glickman (Hatikva 6) – Shamayim
- Guy V’yahel – Ma’amin BaRuach
- Ma Kashur – Bo’ee Naaseh Lanu Chag
- Sapir Saban – Nils Holgersson
- Idan Amedi – Sivan
With clips of Yigal himself sprinkled throughout the album, you can tell that the project was put together with love and admiration. Noa Kirel on “Yesh Li Tzipor Ktana BaLev”? Surprisingly, it works. Idan Amedi puts his own unique spin on “Sivan”. Omri Glickman of Hatikva 6 is the perfect voice for “Shamayim”. And we’ve already told you how much we love what A-WA has done with “V’david Yeheh Einayim”. You can listen to the entire album via Spotify below:
Want more? Accompanying the new compilation is the re-release of a dozen of Bashan’s albums from throughout his career. The tribute album, along with ALL of Yigal Bashan’s music, serve as a powerful reminder that Yigal’s beautiful voice was taken from the world way too soon. May his memory be a blessing.