Israeli, Iranian in Christmas duet
Young Israeli singer Liel Kolet, exiled Iranian singer Ebrahim Hamedi record together English version of song originally performed by Israel's Boaz Sharabi in Hebrew. 'We wanted to convey a joint message of peace from a Jew and Muslim,' Kolet says
VIDEO – An exiled Iranian singer and a young Israeli singer have recorded a duet for Christmas in English which is a cover version of an Israeli song.
The exiled Iranian is Ebrahim Hamedi, 64, better known by his stage name Ebi. The Israeli singer is Liel Kolet, and the song was originally written by Yoav Ginai and Tomer Addadi for Israeli singer Boaz Sharabi, who released the single "Chag Sameach Ahavat Chayai" (happy holiday, love of my life) about three years ago.
In Ebi and Kolet's version the song is called "I Can Hear Christmas," and Americans appear to be showing an interest in it due to the cooperation between a Jew and a Muslim in a song for a Christian holiday.
Ebi was born in Tehran, and after Khomeini's revolution in Iran he no longer returned to the country. He is considered a very popular singer in the Iranian community in the United States and in Iran itself.
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The song, which will soon be released in a Spanish version and has been successful in Iran too, was suggested to Kolet by Tomer Addadi for her upcoming album.
"I really liked it after hearing it for the first time and wanted to include it in my next album in a different version. When Ebi came along, we had him listen to it and he was turned on by the idea and really liked the song. I think it's very brave of him because he has a lot to lose, both in cooperating with an Israeli and a song for Christmas, a holiday which is not very popular among Muslims.
"A publicist named Liz Rosenberg, who worked in the past with Madonna and Cher, is helping us a lot. On the backdrop of the nuclear talks with Iran and the new understandings making headlines around the world, we got a perfect timing."
"I'm very happy that the song got a new life in such a great international framework," adds Yoav Ginai. "There is a message here that is very suitable to these days and relates to relations between people, regardless of their religion or nationality."
And back to Kolet. "I just signed a contract with the Warner Music Group's ADA company to produce an album and an option for two more," she says. "The album I have already recorded will be released this February with the new song."
