Trio Shalva - Riding Alone (2011)

A few words about our music, The repertoire is a combination of songs arranged specifically for this recording, songs which have been played by the trio since it was founded, and songs that were previously composed or arranged by one of us for a self-led project. Shir Ahava Bedoui (A Bedouin Love Song) is an Israeli classic which marked our childhoods. The tune was spontaneously arranged by Assaf during our first NYC show. 1-3-4-8 stands for ‘the 1st Waltz composed for 2008’. Kvar Avru Hashanim (The Years Have Already Passed) is a standard in the “Mizrachi” music, a genre which fuses Arab & Popular music. Koby saw the recording session as an opportunity to arrange this melody for the trio. Riding Alone is a melody that came to Assaf’s mind while riding the NYC subway. The arrangement reflects the journey through which this trio came to be and was chosen as the album’s title.
Vertigo was originally recorded on Koby’s first album “Gemini” a year ago and was quickly adopted by the trio. Misirlou – “Egyptian Girl” in Greek – is a love song that is covered by musicians from all over the world. Assaf’s arrangement enhances the rhythmic elements that both Mediterranean and Latin music share. Pizmon LaYakinton (A Song for the Hyacinth) is a famous Israeli lullaby. It was originally arranged and recorded on Nadav’s debut album “Thinking Out Loud”. Sova is a Hebrew word that describes the feeling of satisfaction after eating a meal. This tune was composed by Eyal Sela, leader of the Israeli ensemble “Darma”. Assaf, a former member of “Darma” himself, rearranged it for the trio. Erev Shel Shoshanim (An Evening of Roses) is an Israeli folk song, originally arranged by Assaf for the “Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra” at Purchase College. In this version, the trio is experimenting with alternative instruments – Melodica, Nylon string guitar, Frame-drum – while sticking to the same arrangement.