Re: Bluegrass & klez

[Stacy Phillips <stacyphi...>]

        I believe that the underlying connection begins with the fact that
a lot Jews in the northeast played bluegrass and old time music before
discovering klezmer. Why the original interest in acoustic country music is
another question.
        The first "young" band I heard do substantial amounts of klezmer
was Derekh Olam (featuring Andy Statman) which did half straight old time
and half klezmer.
        When Andy and I were in Breakfast Special in the early '70's we
used to perform a version of Elyawhu HaNawvee (Elijah the Prophet) to the
amazement of the bluegrass circuit.