Gali Atari Reflects on Iconic 'Mid-September' Album at 40th Anniversary
Israeli singer Gali Atari recently joined a special broadcast on Kan News Radio B to commemorate the 40th anniversary of her fourth album, "Mid-September." Released in March 1986, the album, under the artistic direction of Solo Yoman, Yaakov Gilad, and Ilan Virtzberg, is considered a landmark in Atari's career, blending social protest songs with personal and national love anthems.
Atari described the creative process as a search for an "original Israeli soundtrack" that maintained audience connection while reflecting her unique artistic identity. She recalled acquiring the songs "Mid-September" and "Ein Li Eretz Acheret" (I Have No Other Country) serendipitously from a tape rejected by singer Arik Sinai. "I pounced on it like finding great spoils," she said, noting that despite the unexpected protest nature of the title track, she was undeterred, prioritizing songs that touched her heart.
She elaborated on the song "Ein Li Eretz Acheret," written by Ehud Manor and composed by Corinne Allal, which took four years to find a home and was initially rejected by other artists. Atari explained her interpretation as an "apolitical love song to my country," emphasizing that true love endures through good and bad times. The song has since become deeply associated with her and has taken on a life of its own, allowing for personal interpretation by listeners.
Atari also shared personal connections to other songs, including "HaKol Omed Bimkom" (Everything Stands Still), "Esmeralda," and "Israeli Autumn," which contributed to the album achieving gold status shortly after its release. She spoke about "Tni Lo Perach" (Give Him a Flower), noting a personal resonance with the lyric "My good father told me," as her father passed away when she was four. She also reflected on her performance of "Ein Li Eretz Acheret" with Corinne Allal at the first national memorial ceremony for October 7, describing it as a poignant moment tinged with the knowledge that it might be their last performance together.
Reflecting on the album's enduring impact, Atari stated that "Mid-September" continues to resonate today, offering her new insights. She concluded the broadcast by wishing listeners a "good, quiet, and happy holiday to us all."
