Music Voyager: Israel: Voices from the Desert

Music Voyager travels to Israel to attend a once-in-a-lifetime concert of The Idan Raichel Project at the foot of the magnificent “Solomon’s Pillars”, a natural rock formation in the Negev Desert near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat. Our guide is Idan Raichel, an internationally renowned star of the Israeli music scene. At the technical rehearsals and sound check for the desert concert we are introduced to the artists featured on stage. Idan performs with Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade on the edge of a stunning cliff. Ravid Kahalani performs in an unplugged session with members of his side project Yemen Blues and tells us about the unique history and music of the Yemenite community. Cabra Casey, another lead voice in the Idan Raichel Project, introduces us to the fascinating story of Israel’s Ethiopian immigrants. We also meet Palestinian-Israeli singer and television actress Mira Awad who has recorded with Idan Raichel and reflects how artistic collaboration can lead to a hopeful future for Israel and the region. Idan takes us to the Dead Sea, where host Jacob Edgar interviews Idan while they are floating in the salty waters. Idan and Music Voyager travel to Jerusalem for a visit to the Wailing Wall and a magnificent private home overlooking the Old City. The episode culminates with a song featuring the full project from the live concert in the desert.