more thoughts on Kol Simcha

[Seth Rogovoy <rogovoy...>]

I can't recall the exact thread but I think there was some discussion a few
days ago here about the Swiss group Kol Simcha. I vaguely recall some of it
was negative.

I've been listening to four different Kol Simcha CDs today (call me a
glutton for punishment) and have this to say about them: while I wouldn't go
out of my way to listen to them if I weren't reviewing them, and while I
wouldn't highly recommend them to any but the most ardent klezmer
completists, I CAN say that at their best they are a LOT better than a lot
of other groups out there, especially those trying to do what Kol Simcha
does: come up with some sort of contemporary jazz-concert klezmer fusion.

Some of their pieces show wit, invention and sophistication. Some remind me
of Dave Brubeck, who often combined jazz, classical and "world-music"
styles, and sometimes what Kol SImcha does with the kernel of klezmer
melodies and rhythms (building new compositions aroudn them) is similar in
style and approach to some of Brubeck's noble experiments. (In particular
listen to "Flatbush Minyan Bulgar" on Crazy Freilach -- one of the better
authentic jazz-klezmer fusions I've ever heard.)

While few would suggest clarinetist Michael Heitzler for the klezmer
all-star team, he could perhaps get assigned to the bullpen behind starters
Statman, Bjorling, Krakauer, Leverett and Shepherd. And the group's dual
front line of clarinet and flute is surprising (to me) for how NOT annoying
it is! It (the flute) really functions very much as a companion to the
clarinet, and has a kind of Old World sound to it as used by Kol Simcha.

It's certainly music written, arranged, and played for the concert stage,
and not the dance hall. But I think klezmer is deep, rich and strong enough
to survive such efforts. And while I'm not suggesting anyone run out and buy
their CDs, I certainly would be curious enough to go see them if they were
performing in my area. And anyone with a particular interest in klezmer-jazz
fusion or klezmer-as-concert-music could do worse than to check out Kol
Simcha.

One other note: the better CDs are on the Claves label (in order of personal
preference, "Crazy Freilach" and "Symphonic Klezmer.") There are two others
which are packaged on the WorldClass label, a division of Hearts of Space,
and as one familiar with that label might expect, these tend to be more
"new-agey" than the others, emphasizing soft, melodic noodling at the
expense of the "soul" they pretend to convey.

p.s. Even as I'm writing this message I'm enjoying "Crazy Freilach" more and
more, and I reserve the right to change my mind and actually move it into
the category of "recommended" at a later date.

****************************************************
Seth Rogovoy, http://www.berkshireweb.com/rogovoy/klezmer
Host of "The Klezmer Hour," Mondays 9-10 p.m. US Eastern Time,
http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/WCFM/realaudio.html

---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+