Re: Fabrangen Fiddlers Concert

[Michael R. Leavitt <mleavitt...>]

At 12:32 PM -0400 8/2/96, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:
>Elaind,
>       The "Fiddlers", as we call them (here in the DC area, where they
>are colleagues) play Jewish music - often reminiscent of Klezmer (Jewish
>**WEDDING** music) - which is rarely true Klezmer (as most people would
>describe it: sounding like the old bands). However, by that criterion,
>Giora Feidman's music is arguably not true Klezmer! Klezmer is indeed a
>living, evolving art form. I like to describe the "Fiddlers' "music as
>'Jewgrass' (that is a term that I think THEY originated). That is, very
>much like Bluegrass but with lots of Jewish melodies and Hebrew lyrics.
>They are a fun show and if not traditional-sounding, at least innovative
>and very listenable. I'd recommend that you go.
>
>Fred Jacobowitz
>Machaya Klezmer Band in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area
>On Thu, 1 Aug 1996, Elaine Lawrence wrote:
>
Fred,
        The term "Jewgrass" is really accurate for some of their stuff.  In
fact two of the Fiddlers, David Shneyer and Alan Oresky have a great tape
entitled "Smokey Mountain Shabbes" with wonderful, respectful Bluegrassy
versions of some of the Shabbat liturgy.   (Available from Judaic
Resources, 1719 Wilmart St., Rockville, MD 20852--1988 price was $9.00,
don't know what it would be today.)

Mike Leavitt <mleavitt (at) his(dot)com>
Reston, VA