METROPOLITAN KLEZMER
Surprising Finds (Rhythm Media)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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An assemblage of eight outstanding musicians from the worlds of rock, jazz, folk and world music, Metropolitan Klezmer is one of (I'd argue strongly for *the*, but I'm sure of universal agreement on "one of") the best klezmer bands in the world today. That's high praise, but it was earned on the basis of their two previous albums, Yiddish For Travelers and Mosaic Persuasion. Surprising Finds, the group's third release, though, takes them to an even higher level, although I might not have believed such a thing was possible before hearing it.

Combining live and studio tracks with archival recordings from the Yiddish theater and the family archives of vocalist Deborah Karpel, the band draws on everything from the Broadway stage to traditional sources, with a healthy dose of their own creations folded into the mix, to present a delightfully multi-dimensional view of a musical form that is far too easily stereotyped, not only by those unfamiliar with its range, but unfortunately by some of its practitioners as well. Under the direction of drummer/ organizer/arranger/producer/wonder woman Eve Sicular, Metropolitan Klezmer is anything but stereotypical, and nothing but terrific.

If you already love klezmer music, you simply must acquire this album. If you don't know anything about klezmer music, you simply must acquire this album. If you have ears and live on earth, well, by now you know the drill....

Track List:

Uncle Moses' Wedding Dance * Terkisher Navratilova * Ot Azoy Neyt A Shnayder * Pick A Pocket Or Two * Shpil Du Fidl, Shpil * Harei At * Soothsayer Taxim * Tailor's Sher * Striver's Sher * Der Dish-washer * Szol A Kakas Mar * Dreaming Wizard * Dray Shvester * Kinder Yorn * Howie's Doyna/No. 2 Freylekh * Abi Gezunt Medley * Der Milner's Trern * Blue Doyna Reprise * Shadkhn Tango/Rumanian Medley * Moses' Morning After

© 2003 - Shaun Dale