We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

What Would You Say?

from Fragments by Yoni Avi Battat

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in special designed Digipak featuring artwork by Ariel Basson Freiberg. Features an 8-page booklet with detailed liner notes. Includes digital download of album as well.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Fragments via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days

      $20 USD or more 

     

about

Music by Yoni Avi Battat / Lyrics by Yoni Avi Battat, Leah Carnow, and Sivan Battat
Concept by Yoni Avi Battat, Sivan Battat, Annabel Rabiyah, and Daniele Goldberg
Featuring Jamal Sinno (qanun)

As an avid home cook, I’m always trying to recreate the dishes that I remember my loved ones cooking for me. I particularly remember my grandmother, Violet who prepared delicious ba`ba` and kubeh, the latter of which has been particularly elusive and difficult for me to make. She used to call me ’bdalak, a term of endearment particular to Iraqi Jews.

The song begins with the voices of community members who submitted their food memories to be included in this project. They include George Aronson, Eitan Battat, Stacey Battat, Nadav David, Tim Day, Rachael Farber, Karen Lowe, Laura Mandel, Silvina Mizrahi, Annabel Rabiyah, and Allan Steinmetz.

lyrics

Our histories are torn like shards of mint, each piece perfumed with memory
Wafting imagination fills the cracks, with a rushing realness of your essence

Where do I start? How do I learn? You seem so far, and so I yearn
To burn my tongue on sauce just right, to feel you here in every bite.

Parsley and mint, lemon and beet, baharat and dates, it needs something sweet.
Your scribbled notes are guiding the way. If you were here, what would you say?

Shway, shway, ’bdalak (slowly, slowly, my dear)
Khith-ha ‘ala keifak, ‘omri (take it easy, my life)
Ḥiss al-‘ajin, ‘ayouni (feel the dough, my eyes)
Khaliya ‘ala idak, ḥabibi (trust your hands, my love)

The dough won’t hold, the feel’s not right. Is it too wet? Is it too dry?
It falls apart, I can’t explain — Without your hands, it’s not the same.

How will I know? By look? By touch? A recipe is not enough
To keep what’s left from fading away. If you were here, what would you say?

Shway, shway, ’bdalak (slowly, slowly, my dear)
Khith-ha ‘ala keifak, ‘omri (take it easy, my life)
Ḥiss al-‘ajin, ‘ayouni (feel the dough, my eyes)
Khaliya ‘ala idak, ḥabibi (trust your hands, my love)

credits

from Fragments, released September 2, 2022
Yoni Avi Battat: lead vocal, violin, viola, oud
Jamal Sinno: qanun
Dr. Ann E. Lucas: nay
Fabio Pirozzolo: riq
Jesse Chevan: darbuka
James Heazlewood Dale: bass

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Yoni Avi Battat image

Yoni Avi Battat Boston, Massachusetts

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer specializing in contemporary and traditional Jewish music from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He maintains an active performance schedule across the country, playing violin, viola, and oud in collaborative and interdisciplinary projects spanning a wide range of styles. ... more

contact / help

Contact Yoni Avi Battat

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Yoni Avi Battat, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now