Build Me a Home
About the album
Folk songs have been the backdrop of my life. Every Sunday in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, my parents drove us all from our home in Queens to Greenwich Village to hear the street folk singers “sing their hearts out.” I played folk and classical guitar, and I performed as a folk singer – first with my sister Linda, then with my boyfriend (and now husband) Farid, later with our kids as part of our family band, and even later with my grandchildren. Among the varied roles I have had in my life – teacher, mother, grandmother, performer – music was always an essential ingredient of what I did. I taught myself folk songs in many languages – and I enjoyed writing new words to familiar folk songs as parodies to celebrate special occasions.But until I was well into my seventies, I had never attempted writing my own songs! And then the pandemic hit, and I was compelled to express my feelings in music and words. What emerged is these 10 songs – the first ones I’ve ever written. They’re personal – literally, a “family album” of songs that pay tribute to people who have helped “build me a home”: my husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids.-Sheila
About the songs
“My Spirit Sings” – My eldest daughter Danielle’s husband Roni is our moral navigator, reminding us of the joy and pain all around us. He is also the person who – after hearing two songs I had written – suggested I write songs inspired by each family member and create an album. I thought he was kidding, but then something clicked in me and I took the challenge!“Build Me a Home” – My youngest daughter Michelle’s husband Nathan is a “builder,” both professionally and in his essence: He’s the one who gets things done from the “ground up.” If only we could build the whole world to be our peaceful home. This was the last song I wrote, and after realizing that home is the place where you find the people you love, we knew it had to be the album title.“We Danced Across the Sea” – This is the story of how I met my husband Farid in Israel. He was a 19-year-old singing star from Iran, and I was a 15-year-old folk singer from Queens. I came to Israel with my family and first heard Farid sing at the Inbal Dance Theatre. That was the beginning: He “completely stole my heart!”“Pebbles on the Beach” – My oldest daughter Danielle is a charismatic storyteller whose creativity, enthusiasm, and love of people touches hearts. When she isn’t working, she likes to be on the beach – collecting unusual, colorful pebbles that she uses to decorate her garden or to transform old furniture into art! Danielle’s passion for life led to this song.“Sing Me A Song” – Farid is the love of my life. This was the first and easiest song for me to write – a natural celebration of the more than 60 years we’ve been together. The words say it all: “The moments that we share are the magic we’ve won!”“Country Guy With a City Soul” – Galeet’s husband Mason grew up in New Mexico. He’s an open-hearted guitar-playing southwesterner who traveled the world. He is the universal man – a city/country guy who reminds us that what links us together goes far beyond language, food, even humor and songs.“Earth, Trees and Sky” – The eyes of our grandkids – Uri, Raquel, Yaniv, Eden, Adin, Miya and Lavi – reflect the beauty in the brown of the earth, the green of the trees, and the blue of the sky. They are “the past, the future, the now and the why.” Each of them carries our traditions, our hopes, and our dreams.“I Think About You” – Another one inspired by the grandkids, this is a child-like song about the simple joy of being with the ones you love.“Your Voice” – My middle daughter Galeet is the voice – uplifting our spirits with beautiful melodies. Her voice is humanity: vibrant and profound. It is everything a voice can be, carrying old traditions and creating new modes of expression. She has shared her recording expertise and artistry to bring this recording (and many of her own) to life.“Wake Up / Shake Up” – Our youngest daughter Michelle brings people together – she’s the one who emphatically (yet compassionately) leads us to waking and shaking up ourselves and the world along with us! She makes us laugh and cry, always aware of our vulnerability. Michelle is a mover of the community – a socially engaged rabbi and a fighter for a better world.
Thank You:
First and foremost to Farid Dardashti -- my rock and shining star, who has shared with me the joys of "building a home"!To my family, who have inspired me and have been a great team in making this project happen.To my parents Millie and Lou Heifetz, who lived the excitement of music and love!And to all my friends and extended family, who have been my cheering squad and the harmony of my life!