Village Voice Pazz & Jop Preview

[wiener <wiener...>]

I thought that the list might like to see this review.

Published February 7 - 13, 2001
Consumer Guide
by Robert Christgau

Pazz & Jop Preview

KHEVRISA
European Klezmer Music (Smithsonian Folkways)
 Buy  Listen

The idea of klezmer as goodtime music makes every bit as much sense as
the idea of polka as goodtime music. Obviously that's the main thing
both are supposed to be. Only goodtime musics happen to be a passion
of mine, and there are plenty that do the deed better. So the klezmer
that moves me generally has spiritual ambitions. With Klezmatics
violinist Alicia Svigals relegated to second fiddle by leader Steven
Greenman, this American ensemble performs original-instrumentation
suites designed for rich people's weddings a century ago. Never a
repertoire that took celebration to unseemly extremes, by now it
partakes of a classical civility that packs just the charm to soothe a
plebe with no passion for civility. A MINUS

Bob


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