Re: Laura Wetzler

[Judy Ginsburgh <judy...>]

Re: any klezmers in sweden?I also reviewed Laura Wetzler new CD Kaballah Music 
when it first came out.  Here is copy of it:

Multi-talented and award-winning singer/songwriter Laura Wetzler triumphs on 
this newest release. Her roots are Jewish and she has come back to her roots 
with this disc which features music representing a broad view of Jewish 
mystical experience. The lyrics are ancient and contemporary, the melodies both 
old and new coming from Jewish communities around the world. 
I was fascinated by this collection of songs. You can tell that Laura has spent 
much time researching the origins, meanings and inspirations for each piece. 
The liner notes are an education unto themselves. And her voice - what an 
instrument. Sometimes haunting, sometimes ecstatic, but always full of color 
and emotion, stretching its range and timbre at every turn. 

The production is top-notch and Laura collaborates with a fine group of 
musicians including Michael Hess, Alicia Svigals and Lorin Sklamberg. They add 
nice flavor and authenticity to her amazing voice and guitar talents. 

The opening track "Wa-eda Ma" is a melody attributed to Ovadia Ha-Ger (c. 1102 
- 1150) a convert to Judaism whose writings were discovered on a scroll found 
in the Cairo genizah in 1917. Vocal ornamentation and tamboura accompaniment 
take you back to the 12th century when you might have heard this devotion. 
Certainly not sung by a woman, but Laura challenges tradition by bringing 
things into the modern world. 

Sephardic and Yeminite influences abound in many of the melodies with authentic 
vocal inflections by Laura. Her "Kol HaHanesha" is pure vocal ecstacy. "Klezmer 
Hechalot" takes the performer through the six steps of the ascent of the soul 
through melody as Laura awakens to the music, posseses it, communes with it and 
finally reaches an ecstatic state. One of my favorites was "Narrow Bridge" in 
which Laura writes a contemporary melody to the words of Reb. Nachman of 
Bratzlav. A haunting melody that will stay with you featuring the lilting 
violin playing of Alicia Svigals in counterpoint to Laura's voice. Also, 
included on the disc is J.J. Keki's "L'cha Dodi" from the Abayudaya Jews of 
Uganda. And the bonus is that J.J. and Gershom Sizomu sing and play on it. The 
closing track is new melody for "Shalom Aleichem" written by Laura. It is truly 
beautiful and very spiritual - a perfect ending for a moving and mystical CD. 

As a vocalist myself, I always appreciate true vocal expertise. Laura writes 
songs which are magical to sing and she sings them with true magic herself. 

You can find out more about Laura Wetzler or order the disc at 
www.laurawetzler.com. 

Check out our other reviews of new recordings and find out about dozens of 
Jewish performers at www.jewishentertainment.net

Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Professional Singer
1999 Louisiana Professional Artist of the Year!
judy (at) jewishentertainment(dot)net
www.jewishentertainment.net/judy (Coming Soon!  www.judymusic.com)
Hot off the Press!  My Jewish World - a new early childhood music curriculum 
http://uahc.org/cgi-bin/pressdisp.pl?list=301786
Director: Jewish Entertainment Resources - We Help You Find Jewish Talent!
www.jewishentertainment.net
Conference Chair, CAJE 23: www.caje.org
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both 
hands. You need to be able to throw something back."


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sylvia Schildt 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 12:40 PM
  Subject: Re: any klezmers in sweden?


  on 11/1/02 3:01 AM, Ashkenazim at ashkenaz (at) mi(dot)ru wrote:


    Ask Anne Kamerling, the Jewish singer (Stockholm)
    anne(dot)kamerling(dot) (at) teila(dot)com


      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Inna Barmash <mailto:ibarmash (at) Princeton(dot)EDU>  
      To: World music from a Jewish slant <mailto:jewish-music (at) 
shamash(dot)org>  
      Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 12:43 PM
      Subject: any klezmers in sweden?

      hello friends!

      Inna,


      Bente Kahn should have a fix on this area ... even though she's Norwegian 
or Danish, not Swedish.


      Sylvia Schildt
      Baltimore, Maryland



      i'm a new-york based consultant-by-day, yiddish-singer-by-night, and it 
looks like i'll be spending the next few months in Stockholm. any swedish 
klezmers/jewish musicians on this list? anyone know of any bands i should check 
out while i'm here (not just klezmer)?  any clubs i should look at? any people 
i should contact?  any other nordic countries represented here that i should 
visit?

      i'd appreciate any info ....   i'm out here by myself right now, so i'd 
love to meet anyone and everyone!

      cheers,
      inna