Ten-best lists

[George Robinson <grcomm...>]

I hate to scoop myself -- the column with my year-end wrap-up won't run
until 12/26, but with Hanukah approaching --do you give Hanukah gifts-- I
usually don't I thought I'd give some now by listing my five-star records
for 2003. (The criteria for inclusion is that I reviewed them in the
calendar year -- yeah, I know a few of these may be older than that but such
is life in New York.) Since I've filed my last record column for the year
already, this is the definitive list. Ten best, followed by six equally fine
honorable mentions:

In alphabetical order:
1.  "Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda" (Smithsonian
Folkways).
2. Atlan, Francoise and L'Orchestre Arabo-Andalou de Fes: "Andalussyat"
(Buna Musique).
3. Chevan, David and the Afro-Semitic Experience: "Days of Awe" (Reckless DC
Music).
4. "The Fig Tree" (The Boite)
5. "The Golden Dove: Masterpieces from the Jewish Folk Music Society"
(4Tay).
6. "Historic Music of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in the City of
New York" (Shearith Israel League).
7. Locker, Richard: "Jewish Cello Masterpieces" (Leggiero)
8. "Maftirim: Judeo-Sufi Connection" (Kalan)
9.  Nigun: "KlezJazz" (Etnofon)
10. Pal-Yarden, Hadass: "Yahudice" (Kalan).

And very honorable mention:
Conservatoire de Musique de Geneve: "Les Psaumes" (Les Amis de Musique
Juive).
Elmaghribi, Samy: "Haggadah de Pessah" (Azoulay Bros.).
Lasker-Wallfisch, Anita: Testament" (Our World).
New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars: Borvis" (Stretchy).
Perowsky, Ben: "Camp Songs" (Tzadik).
Schaechter-Gottesman, Beyle: "Af di Gasn fun der Shtot" (Yiddishland).

Finally, so Simon won't have kittens, in the column itself I mention quite
clearly which ones he has exclusively. Of course, that doesn't preclude him
from informing you all, if he so chooses. (heh, heh)

And so, ten days in advance, as I disappear from your rooves (that can't be
right -- roofs? Nah, roofim!) Khag sameakh to all and a hearty 'laila tov!'

George ("A red suit? Are you kidding? It makes me look fat. I was thinking
of something in a dignified banker's pinstripe, in a nice dark color. Big
shoulders, wide lapels, something slimming.") Robinson


Never play a guy at his own game; nobody
makes up a game in order to get beat at it.
   --Charlie Goldman


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