Nut Rocker

“Nut Rocker” was an instrumental rock single recorded by  B. Bumble and the Stingers that reached number 23 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March 1962.  It is based on of Tchaikovsky’s “March of the Toy Soldiers”, from his ballet The Nutcracker.

The first version released was by pianist H. B. Barnum, released by “Jack B. Nimble and the Quicks” on the small Del Rio label.

It was also performed live and recorded by prog-rockers Emerson, Lake & Palmer, whose single was also released in 1972. In 2009, Trans-Siberian Orchestra released a version of “Nut Rocker”, featuring Greg Lake, on their album Night Castle.

Both the Ventures and the Shadows also recorded versions.

My arrangement is based on the original 1962 versions.

 

Hava Nagila

“Hava Nagila” (“Let us rejoice”) is an Israeli folk song traditionally sung at Jewish celebrations. While not specifically a Hanukkah song, it is frequently heard at Hanukkah celebrations.

This is an instrumental, surf-rock arrangement that seems to suit the song very well.

Rock of Ages

“Rock of Ages” (“Ma’oz Tzur”) is a Jewish liturgical poem. It is written in Hebrew, and is usually sung on the holiday of Hanukkah, after lighting the festival lights. Its six stanzas correspond to five events of Jewish history and a hope for the future. Of its six stanzas, often only the first stanza is sung (or the first and fifth), as this is what directly pertains to Hanukkah. “Ma’oz Tzur” was written sometime in the 13th century.

I have given it a instrumental setting in the style of the Shadows.

Mi Y’malel

“Mi Y’malel” (“Who can retell?”) is a popular Hanukkah song. The opening line, which literally means “Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel,” is a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2, which reads “Who can retell the mighty feats of God.”

I have given it a surf-rock instrumental setting with a prominent baritone guitar.

S’vivon

S’vivon is a popular Hebrew Hanukkah song, “Sevivon” or “S’vivon” is Hebrew for “dreidel”, where dreidel is the Yiddish word for a spinning top. “S’vivon,” is very popular in Israel and by others familiar with the Hebrew language.

I have given it a surf-rock instrumental setting.

The Dreidel Song

“I Have a Little Dreidel” (also known as the “Dreidel Song”) is a very famous song in the English speaking world for Hanukkah, which also has a Yiddish version. The Yiddish version is “Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl”. The English version of the song is associated with the festival of Hanukkah, and is known by many Jews and non-Jews alike. The lyrics of the song are simple and about making a dreidel and playing with it.

I have given it a surf-rock instrumental setting with a bit of drum solo.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, written by Charles Wesley. The popular version is the result of alterations by various hands, notably by Wesley’s co-worker George Whitefield who changed the opening couplet to the familiar one, and by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.

My version is instrumental rock.