Ancient lyrics get a new sound

Cabaret meeting the piyyut, an ancient liturgical poem, might seem an unlikely combination, but not in this land with its love for anything antiquated. As part of the Zman Piyut (Time for Piyut) festival taking place January 5-8 in Tel Aviv, the sultry singer-songwriter Efrat Gosh will be performing with fellow musicians who have also worked these prayerful lyrics into their music.

Gosh, with her elaborate hair coiffures, black nails, tattoos and demure dresses, has a look about her of Amy Winehouse, the British singer-songwriter who died last fall of alcohol poisoning. But while Gosh does talk about drinking vodka before performances, she’s singing about particularly Jewish themes and thoughts, at least in this festival.