The Golem Of Bathurst Manor by KlezFactor is a wonderful album of progressive jazz-influenced klezmer. Leader Mike Anklewicz takes the lead on a musical journey that is unique to the Toronto-based group. The album pays homage to the klezmer tradition with four well known klezmer tunes arranged to showcase KlezFactor’s signature sound. Anklewicz chooses saxophone rather than the traditional clarinet along with violin to create a different vibe. The use of electric guitar and electric bass completes the transformation to a style that is new and engaging to listen to.
Anklewicz shows his range on the six original compsitions he wrote for this album. From the progressive title track to the smooth sound of “Negev,” these originals are full of fresh ideas and styles. KlezFactor takes us to their world of first-rate musicianship, dynamic improvisation, and innovative arrangements.
I also have to mention the excellent production and engineering. The mix is great and the sound is detailed enough to hear the softest cymbal hits and background percussion.
If you like some jazz with your klezmer, or a little klezmer with your jazz, you would do well to check out Mike Anklewicz and KlezFactor. They certainly are a factor on the international Klezmer scene today.
The Golem Of Bathurst Manor
KlezFactor
Standback Records, 2005
Keith Wolzinger
Klezmer Podcast
15 September 2007
31 July 2007
Review: Vayte Shtern by Vira Lozinsky
Review:
Vayte Shtern (Distant Stars)
Vira Lozinsky
Vayte Shtern is the first album released by Yiddish Singer Vira Lozinsky. Ms. Lozinsky, a Moldova-born Israel immigrant, is a fresh voice in the world of Yiddish song. This self-produced album blends Jewish, Moldavian, and Gypsy musical styles in such a way that the listener seems to be transported, becoming part of the landscape of the “old country” in the old days. There is a mix of joy and sadness in these songs that reflects the character of the people who have left, as well as those who stayed.
This is the Yiddish of native speakers, not that of those who simply pick up the lyrics and learn the pronunciation. In fact, nearly half of these songs are from the hand of Lozinsky’s father, Yiddish poet Michael Felsenbaum. This authenticity is such a part of the music that it would be difficult to imagine these songs performed in any other language.
The musical arrangements by Regina Dricker, Lev Kogan, and Hanan Winternitz are sparse, consisting of piano and an occasional clarinet or violin. But this leaves plenty of room for Lozinsky to take us on her musical journey and to delight us with her considerable talent and emotional range.
An interesting effect used on two of the songs is a synthesized wind, which evokes an image of a cold, hard winter in the Shtetl. Another effect is the occasional increased reverb, which gives us a sense of distance, or leaving, or even of a dream.
The songs’ themes range from love and joy to loss and hardship. The album package includes some photos, full Yiddish lyrics, and a limited English translation. I do wish for a full English translation to appear sometime in the near future. But as a musician, the English lyric to Dos Kleyne Tsigaynerl (Little Gypsy) brought home to me the importance of music to the Jewish and Gypsy people:
I am a small but good-looking Gypsy.
I don’t know where I was born.
My mother deserted me, my father was killed.
The only thing that has kept me alive
Is the fiddle that my father left me.
Oh, my fiddle, my dear friend-
You are the only one who knows.
This is an album of great depth and meaning. The music supports the singing, and the singing, without question, draws the listener into the very special world of a unique and interesting blend of cultures. Vayte Shteren by Vira Lozinsky deserves a serious listen and should be added to your collection of Yiddish recordings.
Keith Wolzinger
The Klezmer Podcast
Vayte Shtern (Distant Stars)
Vira Lozinsky
Vayte Shtern is the first album released by Yiddish Singer Vira Lozinsky. Ms. Lozinsky, a Moldova-born Israel immigrant, is a fresh voice in the world of Yiddish song. This self-produced album blends Jewish, Moldavian, and Gypsy musical styles in such a way that the listener seems to be transported, becoming part of the landscape of the “old country” in the old days. There is a mix of joy and sadness in these songs that reflects the character of the people who have left, as well as those who stayed.
This is the Yiddish of native speakers, not that of those who simply pick up the lyrics and learn the pronunciation. In fact, nearly half of these songs are from the hand of Lozinsky’s father, Yiddish poet Michael Felsenbaum. This authenticity is such a part of the music that it would be difficult to imagine these songs performed in any other language.
The musical arrangements by Regina Dricker, Lev Kogan, and Hanan Winternitz are sparse, consisting of piano and an occasional clarinet or violin. But this leaves plenty of room for Lozinsky to take us on her musical journey and to delight us with her considerable talent and emotional range.
An interesting effect used on two of the songs is a synthesized wind, which evokes an image of a cold, hard winter in the Shtetl. Another effect is the occasional increased reverb, which gives us a sense of distance, or leaving, or even of a dream.
The songs’ themes range from love and joy to loss and hardship. The album package includes some photos, full Yiddish lyrics, and a limited English translation. I do wish for a full English translation to appear sometime in the near future. But as a musician, the English lyric to Dos Kleyne Tsigaynerl (Little Gypsy) brought home to me the importance of music to the Jewish and Gypsy people:
I am a small but good-looking Gypsy.
I don’t know where I was born.
My mother deserted me, my father was killed.
The only thing that has kept me alive
Is the fiddle that my father left me.
Oh, my fiddle, my dear friend-
You are the only one who knows.
This is an album of great depth and meaning. The music supports the singing, and the singing, without question, draws the listener into the very special world of a unique and interesting blend of cultures. Vayte Shteren by Vira Lozinsky deserves a serious listen and should be added to your collection of Yiddish recordings.
Keith Wolzinger
The Klezmer Podcast
07 June 2007
18 May 2007
Upcoming Episode 11
I am in the process of preparing Klezmer Podcast 11, in which I interview Seth Kibel of the Alexandria Kleztet. There will also be a couple songs played. Look for it in about a week.
Keith
Keith
15 May 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to the Klezmer Podcast Blog. I am jumping into the blogoshpere and catching up to the rest of the world. This will create synergy with the website and MySpace. Plus, this will become an online community where everyone will be able to post and respond. I'm very excited about the possibilities here. Everyone is welcome and I look forward to experiencing this new way of communicating and sharing my thoughts and activities.
Please also check out the website and MySpace pages:
http://klezmerpodcast.com/
http://myspace.com/klezmerpodcast
You can also find me at the iTunes Store here:
Klezmer Podcast
KlezKanada 2006 Podcast
Thanks for viewing my Blog!
Peace,
Keith
Please also check out the website and MySpace pages:
http://klezmerpodcast.com/
http://myspace.com/klezmerpodcast
You can also find me at the iTunes Store here:
Klezmer Podcast
KlezKanada 2006 Podcast
Thanks for viewing my Blog!
Peace,
Keith
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