Re: everything

[Ari Davidow <jmusic...>]

Whew, welcome! Andrew. I wholeheartedly endorse that live album by
Ha-Breira Ha-Tiv'it--"Michakim l'Shimshon." Every time I listen to
their version of "Sh'khar'khoret" it sends shivers up my spine. I
also like their very first album, the one with "D'ror Yikara," but
it may be out of print.

That Chicago Klezmer Ensemble sounds very interesting. Can you send
contact info? I'd like to write them and see if the CD is still
available.

I just sent out mailings to a few klez bands who's lps I have asking
if they are still available, and if so, how to get copies. I'll post
info when (and if, I suppose) someone responds.

In soc.culture.jewish last week a couple of people mentioned a group
called "something clambake"--have you heard of them? they are also
supposed to be from the Boston area.

It's interesting. Chicago, boston, New York, San Francisco all appear
to have thriving klez scenes. I have yet to hear of such a band from the
LA area. There was (is?) a Jewish folkie-type group called "Jasmine"
that released a cassette a few years ago, but they were emigrants from
San Francisco. Haven't heard anything from that area since. Of course,
it could be a bit like the San Francisco scene, where other than the
Klezmorim, there are few people recording. And, frankly, the Klezmorim
recordings don't hold up (to my ears).

I do have to say, however, that at their height, the Klezmorim were
very, very Jewish. I have a tape from a live broadcast they did back in
1982 that is simply outstanding. I do agree that they moved on to a
twenties jazz shtick that interests me less (and none of their records
really capture them at their best, or even memorably). But they are
also a major reason there =was= a klez revival. If they decided to
pursure the music in another direction, so be it.

Of the original band, David Julian Gray is still in the Bay area, and
still plays regularly in the all-star klez bands that appear from time
to time. I didn't think he was so good back when, but he is amazing now.

ari
jmusic (at) israel(dot)nysernet(dot)org

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