Re: greetings from oz

[Seth Rogovoy <rogovoy...>]

On Thu, 19 Sep 1996, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

> Bill,
>       L'shana tova. Welcome to the list. There is a flurry of Klezmer 
> activity from time to time.Even tho you said that it was a rhetorical 
> question, I'll bite anyway. I would assume that didgeridu would not 
> exactly do as a melody instrument. However, if you can tune the bass 
> notes so that you can get many different pitches I don't know why it 
> can't work as a bass/drone instrument. Frankly, the Jews have always 
> adopted the songs, dances and instruments of their host countries so I 
> think there is precedent to incorporate it. However, the **KLEZEMER** 
> style presents a problem because by definition, it is the music of the 
> Eastern European Jews. It must be played in a specifically traditional 
> way. Therefore, inless the digeridu can be played so 
> that it fits into the rhythmic/chordal scheme of the style, you can't 
> claim to be playing Klezmer on it. 

Bill: Welcome to the list. It's a fun place with a variety of opinions. 
Be wary, however, of those who make blanket statements such as klezmer 
"must be played in a specificallly traditional way" and "you can't claim 
to be playing Klezmer on it." These are just one man's very biased, 
closed-minded opinions about a living, breathing, dynamic music which 
some would apparently rather see ossified like a museum exhibit.

*****************************************
Seth Rogovoy                        
rogovoy (at) berkshire(dot)net
http://www.berkshireweb.com/rogovoy
music news, interviews, reviews, et al.
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