Klezical Tradition - Family Portrait

[R.A.S. <richards...>]

Dear Fellow Listers,

It has been my great good fortune, and indeed priviledge, to finally get my
sticky fingers on The Klezical Tradition's album, "Family Portrait".

TKT's principal members on this album need little introduction here, I'm
sure, but their outstanding performances can't be praised highly enough in
my opinion. Flautist Adrianne Greenbaum has few peers on her instrument, in
any genre of music (and having heard some of her classical performances as
well only underscores this opinion), not merely a masterful virtuoso with a
flawless technique but moreover an artist of outstanding musicianship and
depth. Violinist Cookie Segelstein, vocalist Fraidy Katz, and clarinetist
Walter Mamlok make for a magnificent complementary team, all artists of
rare ability, talent and depth, as they all prove so consistently
throughout this wonderful album. Together, they make for a very finely
honed instrument, and one senses a great intimacy among the players,
facilitating such fine ensemble playing. A very fine cast of supporting
musicians rounds things off beautifully.

The music itself in turns swings, serenades, and tells its stories
eloquently. There is, overall, a wonderful atmosphere of turn of the
19th/early 20th century Europe, often of the cafe and cabaret society of
the early decades of the last century. Yiddish theatre and traditional
songs interspersed with short snippets of narration in Yiddish, and a
variety of klezmer tunes create a great sense of intimacy and heymishkhait
at the same time. There are many familiar favourites, given wonderful,
sensitive new interpretations, other tunes are new to me and a wonderful
discovery.

Family Portrait is music for the ear as well as the heart and soul, and
yes, the feet as well. It touches deeply, as if striking familiar chords in
a long forgotten corner of the memory.

The Family Portrait concept works beautifully, and is further supported by
a beautifully designed booklet featuring old portraits of the musicians and
their families. The liner notes are extensive and well thought out. They
include the song lyrics in Yiddish, romanized Yiddish, and English
translation, as well as a brief glossary of some of the most common terms
in Yiddish klezmer parlance, the latter a great help in making things
accessible for those as yet unfamiliar with them. The Klezical Tradition
invite the listener into their family parlour and welcome him or her with
the most charming and rare familiarity and intimacy. Open your heart in
turn and enjoy this gorgeous music and wonderful experience. You will be
richly rewarded, whatever your musical preferences or tastes, for great
music such as this is simply universal.

The Klezical Tradition's "Family Portrait" is available directly from
Adrianne Greenbaum on this list (AGREENBA (at) aol(dot)com) and cdbaby.com (and
maybe also from Hatikvah Music in the US and Jewish Music Distribution in
the UK?). If you haven't got this outstanding recording already, I would
urge you to grab it while you can.


Richard - "Renaissance Man"


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