Barry Sisters

[TheDorch <TheDorch...>]

Shalom again, y'all!

Well, it's good to see the full spectrum of Jewish opinion splayed out in all
its visceral glory. I'm not sorry I opened this can of worms, but I am sorry
I haven't been able to contribute to the discussion because of a death in the
family. 

First, though, a factual question: I have this tape of the Barry Sisters, no
access to liner notes or credits, and I want to know if anyone has any idea
where I can find a copy of the lyrics to "Eshes Chayel" transliterated. Also
"Zug iz mir noch amodl" (if I'm transliterating that right, and if that's
even the title of the song). Anyone? Just where did the Barry Sisters get
their tunes? Were any of them written just for them? Some of them are clearly
jazzed-up versions of more "traditional" songs. Are any of them originally
English lyrics translated into Yiddish? Anyone know? Any info on these cool
chanteuses would be appreciated.

So, Jewish music. I agree with whoever said that we have to look at context
and what music Jews are identifying with in any given historical moment. I
think of Utah Phillips and contiguous American/Canadian
socialist/labor-oriented songs -- but would that make Leadbelly's music
Jewish? Sure, in a sense, in a highly influential sense, because even under
the rubric of music that Jews identify with one can still distinguish between
music composed by Jews and music that influences or touches Jews but isn't
composed by them. This opens up the definition of Jewish themes, though. I
hope that's okay. 

One thing I'm interested in right now is Jewish song parodies and their place
in the new Jewish progressive consciousness. I sympathize with those who see
stuff like Micky Katz and Allan Sherman as "Jewish uncle-tomming", and though
I enjoy listening to it, a lot of it is pretty painful. For example, in
"Bagel-call Rag", where Katz says that the klezmerized version of "Bugel-call
Rag" is played "strictly for a gag." Actually it's musically wonderful and
makes the swing version sound rather bland -- "white" even. 

I've always had a soft-spot for song parodies, but I'm not interested in
self-bashing. I have some ideas about experimenting with the genre, but if
anyone wants to comment I'd like to read whatever he or she had to say.

jeff dorchen