the KlezmerShack

From Craig Taubman. This download is available for free only in the United States:

We put together a free High Holy Day Music sampler for Amazon. Until Rosh Hashana (Tishrei 1), in honor of Jewels of Elul (www.jewelsofelul.com) you can download all of the songs for free (Alas, Amazon.com limits this to US visitors only). There is an amazingly eclectic mix of music from Josh Nelson, David Broza, Basya Schecter, Alberto Mizrahi and a handful of other artists.

Cantor Sam Weiss, has once again put up a recording of us own:

This one's totally free, all over the world, and available till after Hoshanah Rabbah!

A song for the High Holy Days season based on the Yiddish-Hebrew song "A Mayseh" attributed to the son of Reb Levi-Yitzchak of Berditchev. Complete description, translation and transliteration with the download:

wikisend.com/download/231518

Posted by Ari Davidow at 12:14 AM | Permalink

Just in time for the official release of the new, highly-anticipated Veretski Pass CD, Trafik, I have posted Keith Wolzinger's review of same. Keith also did a podcast of the band, recorded last summer.

Other new-to-the-KlezmerShack reviews by Wolzinger include:

• Ed Goldberg and the Odessa Klezmer Band / Who Stole the Kishka?!, 2006

• PHP / Hodu, 2008

• Red Hot Chachkas / Spice it Up!, 2007

Enjoy!

Posted by Ari Davidow at 5:43 PM | Permalink

I have been slowly gathering in reviews written by Keith Wolzinger over the last few months. There are many more to come, but in the meantime, check out his wide-ranging examination of the post-klezmer sounds of The Lithuanian Empire, country-Jewish Mare Winningham / Refugee Rock Sublime, Yiddish folk and theatre songs from Hy Wolfe / Yiddish Songs for the Soul, world Jewish music by Montrealer Hélène Engel Trio / Voyage, and new Jewish sounds of another Montrealer, Shelley Posen / Menorah.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 8:37 AM | Permalink

Along with Elliott Simon, George Robinson is the one other reviewer of new Jewish music who continues to publish about a wonderful gamut from the avant garde to klezmer to music from the newer Orthodox-based jam band sounds. Catching up to links that ya'll should have seen months ago, I present: Chanukah: For listening, for giving—klezmer and its cousins, by George Robinson. There are video clips from several bands, as well as reviews. Enjoy!

Posted by Ari Davidow at 11:37 AM | Permalink

I am an Israeli musician living in Boulder Colorado. I recently released a CD of Hebrew Chanting with my wife Danya Uriel. It is a very unique project in that it is a very relaxing almost meditative musical joirney using ancient Hebrew texts. We've been getting incredible reviews world wide. You can learn more about us at: www.HebrewChanting.com

Posted by Ari Davidow at 5:48 PM | Permalink

This just in from the artist:

Award winning songwriter, recording artist and evoloving cantorial soloist, Alisa Fineman's release of "Closing the Distance—Poems, Prayers and Love Songs" is her first Jewish music recording. Produced by jazz guitarist and former Windham Hill artist, Alex de Grassi, she is joined by a stunning array of musicians who add the spice and energy Alisa's voice invites. Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary says, "… a marvelous addition to the contemporary voices who continue to give life and vitality to the Jewish tradition. Alisa's heart is as warm as her superb voice." For details, see the artist's website at www.alisafineman.com.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 4:53 PM | Permalink

Gail Javitt writes:

I recently released Like a Braided Candle: Songs for Havdalah. It is a unique collection of songs for Havdalah, in a variety of musical styles and traditions. It includes three klezmer arrangements (performed by members of The Village Klezmer Quintet), one of which is an original song called "A Gute Voch."

You can also read more about it and hear clips at www.zahavamusic.com

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:23 AM | Permalink

Susan Deikman writes the Jewish-Music mailing list:

I'm pleased and excited to announce the release of my new CD!

Kiss the Beloved: Kabbalistic Kirtan

Talented musicians on the recording include:
Yofiyah (vocals)
Lenny Seidman (tabla, frame drum)
Roger Mgrdichian (oud)
Joe Tayoun (doumbek, riq)
Amira Dvorah (bansuri flute)
Andrew Bleckner (harmonium)

KABBALISTIC KIRTAN is a new Jewish musical experience, a fusion of East and West inspired by chant from India (kirtan) and music of the Middle East. Blending inspiring melodies, driving drum beats, and call and response chanting of short Hebrew prayers and names of God, Kabbalistic kirtan inspires a sense of Oneness and unity with all, marked by deep joy and even ecstasy.

for information, contact:
Yofiyah at: 215-242-6677
www.hebrewkirtan.com
E-mail Susan Deikman

Posted by Ari Davidow at 12:35 AM | Permalink

George Robinson announces a slew of new music columns published almost all together in New York's Jewish Week:

Five-Star Klez: From New Orleans and Odessa, fusion and traditional approaches.

A Fall Sampler: From Solomon Rossi to Michael Strassfeld.

Heard Around The World: From Turkey to London to the Lower East Side.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 9:23 AM | Permalink

It's about time, but we finally have a short review up of the marvellous recent CD by Laura Wetzler, Kabbalah Music

Posted by Ari Davidow at 5:37 PM | Permalink

"Kabbalah Music" CD Release Concert & Art Exhibit
Sisters Explore Jewish Mysticism through Music and Painting

Laura Wetzler in "Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics" Sunday, March 9, 3pm at The Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W.67th St., NYC. Tickets $25. Call Box Office:(212) 501-3330, Special Guests: Alicia Svigals, violin (of the Klezmatics,) Amir Chehade & Robin Burdulis, mideast percussion; Scott Wilson, kanun; Maurice Chedid, oud. Set Design and Art Exhibit by Angela Milner.

In conjunction, "Kabbalah Music: Encaustic Paintings by Angela Milner" The Merkin Concert Hall Gallery, 129 W.67th St. NYC. March 9-April 1. Post "Kabbalah Music" concert reception and art opening in gallery. Gallery hours by appointment thereafter: (212) 307-1385.

Continue reading ""Kabbalah Music" CD Concert Art Exhibit, premiers Mar 9" »

Posted by Ari Davidow at 9:46 PM | Permalink

Seth Rogovoy posts to the Jewish-music mailing list:

The new issue of Sing Out! Magazine (Vol. 47, No. 1, Spring 2003) with Irish-American fiddle Liz Carroll on the cover contains reviews by yours truly of Jewish music recordings by the Red Hot Chachkas, Laura Wetzler and the recent anthology of klezmer called KLEZfest put out by ARC Music.

Eventually, these reviews will be posted at my website.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 6:29 PM | Permalink

• Pharoah's Daughter / Exile, 2002 -- this will blow your mind. Basya Schechter has gotten superlative reviews for previous albums, but this new album is even better.

• The Red-Hot Chachkas / Family Album, 2002 -- I have been following Julie Egger since she formed her first band, post KlezKamp, in 1998. This album shows how good she, and the band are. It is a very exciting traditional klezmer album with a couple of excellent new tunes.

• Vocolot / Heart Beat, 2002 -- my earliest memory of Linda Hirschhorn is her talking with a friend of mine, even before I moved to Berkeley (which is a major relocation ago) about her music. Here, she and her primarily a capella band, the Vocolot (how aptly named! "vocolot" is Hebrew for "voices") range all over the world for songs of spirit and beauty, as well as featuring some of Linda's newest compositions.

• Adrianne Greenbaum / FleytMuzik, 2002 -- I am awestruck, and am not going to waste further verbiage trying to describe what an amazing, beautiful, virtuosic album this is. If you like klezmer, or you like flute, or if you didn't know that you liked either, this will still be your favorite album for a long time.

• Paul Shapiro / Midnight Minyan, 2003 -- this just arrived. I popped it on to the changer to check it out, and have had a hard time not leaving it on constant replay ever since. Shapiro works primarily with the familiar Conservative synagogue song that all bar mitzvahs of a certain age (and perhaps bar and bat mitzvahs to this day) will recall. But what he does with this music, and with other Jewish sources, is to take davening to a new level. This is spiritual music and jazz of the highest order. (Bet you never davened to a rhumba before!)

Posted by Ari Davidow at 4:57 PM | Permalink

Every year, George Robinson pegs the best of the albums that he has reviewed. The Klezmershack is months behind, so I'm just getting this up now. Still, the choices are excellent, so any time is the right time to read them:

www.klezmershack.com/articles/robinson/021125.sounds.html

Posted by Ari Davidow at 7:13 PM | Permalink

Best greetings from Poland!

I am writing to you because I would like to inform you that we just released the CD called "Nedudai" by SHANI BEN-CANA. This is wonderful record of young talented musician who lives in Safed, Israel.

Continue reading "Wandering through Jewish tradition by BEN-CANAR: a new CD from OW" »

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