LPs
Beit El (2023) bends all genres- prepare yourself for an immersive and eclectic listening experience across choral and cantorial traditions finding their way into communal prayer and American folk song. Beit El is sourced from the original encounter and location between Jacob and the Divine Presence. This is an immensely powerful and meaningful experience, one that has permeated Jewish thought for millennia. The core of Jewish spirituality, belonging, connection and its needed place in our world today sets the tone for this record. Jacob's Ladder paves the way for a familiar yet distinctly original take on Jewish music, one embedded in folky Americana musical soundscapes with the spirit and soul of Jewish modes, cantillation and prayer.
SINGLES
The 5th track off our debut album, Beit El, takes Jacob's Ladder in a completely different direction. This ear worm of a tune embedded into an edgier rock choir anthem is supposed to remind you of the power of a simple melody amidst the chaos—one that brings you into the world of Jewish song and the feeling of deeper connection. Yet, it is from this very same source that one can feel isolated from the outside world. Judaism as a whole can inherently have that quality, and our new music video explores this in more depth.
The A section to Karov shares much of the same melody with Rabbis Ken Chasen and Yoshi Zweiback’s L'chu N'ran'nah", recorded in 2001 with their band, "Mah Tovu". This melody is widely sung in many synagogues and Jewish spaces across North America. While this was not intended, in a cosmic and spiritual alignment of stars, there is a mutual feeling of co-composition between Mah Tovu and Jacob's Ladder in the creation of this song.
The 10th track off our debut album, Beit El, is out an all streaming platforms! This is a new version of Ana B'koach, one we released back in 2020. The melody is the same: the old folk song, "Bury Me Beneath The Willow", made famous by The Carter Family, has beautifully matched this Kabbalistic text. The simple, repetitive quality to it laid works to a reimagined musical portrayal. This new recording features West African drum grooves, claw hammer banjo, and a 5-piece vocal ensemble. The "Americanness" of this song has been a move to help strengthen our similarities in a increasingly polarizing world.
LIVE ALBUMS
Live recorded at Temple Israel in Boston for their Shabbat Shira annual concert on 1.27.24. Jacob's Ladder was accompanied by a full 6-piece band and 8 piece vocal ensemble, featuring many contributors to their debut studio record, Beit El.
This concert was in celebration of their Beit El release in August, highlighting and revitalizing many of the vocal and band arrangements off the record.
Sasson V'simcha
What happens when two folk traditions meet? This album gives one answer, as classic bluegrass meets the traditional Jewish Sabbath liturgy. No knowledge of bluegrass or Hebrew required!
Sasson v'Simcha (Joy and Delight) is a collection of bluegrass and bluegrass-inspired settings of the Friday night Shabbat liturgy composed by David Sasso and co-produced by Jacob's Ladder. These seven selections were recorded on February 26, 2023, at Dimension Sound Studios in Boston, MA, with accompanying music videos. The full service was premiered on May 12, 2023, at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the retirement of Rabbi Dennis Sasso.
EPs
The Bridge Sound and Stage Sessions
This short EP is our second recording project, and will be our final before our first full length release in 2023. Combining elements of the Jewish Kabbalat Shabbat service and Bluegrass in our first project, "The Washington Street Sessions", this new project additionally explores our connection to Israeli music. Please enjoy!
Released October 2021
The Washington Street Sessions
This live recorded session was done from our very own apartment, right on the corner of Beacon Street and Washington Street in Brookline, MA. This live album, "The Washington Street Sessions", is a culmination of our first set of videos, which can be found on Facebook or Youtube.
Released May 2020
