Amazon.com

The diversity of modern Jewish music is a result of centuries of hard traveling and cultural interaction. The secular and religious sounds of the Diaspora now embrace everything from European memories to the Latin experience to folk and modern pop styles from the Middle East. For example, the jazzy pathos of klezmer music reflects shtetl (village) life in Russia and Poland during the early 20th century, while the Arabic-tinged Sephardic repertoire dates from medieval times and then back to Sinai. This thoughtfully assembled sampler covers the major roots and branches plus some bonus oddities. Among the stand-outs are Israeli folk singer Chava Alberstein singing with The Klezmatics, a love song from the late Yemenite chanteuse Ofra Haza, and pianist Uri Caine's avant-garde treatment of a 13th-century Moroccan text. The American ex-hippie Uzca, who sings in an imaginary language, is in a class of his own. --Christina Roden ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Spiritually uplifting!
I make sure to listen to this CD at least once a week -- it helps to keep my spirits up in this crazy world. Every single friend for whom I have played "A Jewish Odyssey" has immediately purchased it! You don't have to be Jewish to love this eclectic and stirring collection of music from around the globe.

Get Your Feet Moving!!!
You don't have to understand Yiddish to appreciate this collection of Jewish music from around the world. As some of the literature suggests, while Jewish music is extremely varied and clear boundaries can be difficult to define, there are three main categories. "Ashkenazi" includes European styles such as klezmer; "Sephardic" is primarily the music of Jews from the Mediterranean including Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Greece, and Turkey; "Mizrahi" is the music of Jewish communities which were based for thousands of years in Arabic countries, and of course, there is also Israeli popular music, which incorporates all of these styles as well as Western pop and folk music.

This CD has many of these styles, and you will hear selections from Israel/USA, United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, Chile/Cuba, Canada, and Brazil, to just mention a few.

I love this album, and it gets my feet thumping, and I want to dance, dance, and dance. There are also the quieter melodies, albeit somewhat melancholic, but ranging from intensity to intensity.

A wonderful collection. Now if I can only learn the language.

A wonderful collection
I am not Jewish, but you don't have to be to enjoy these songs. This album happens to be one of my favourites of the Putumayo releases. A couple of the songs were instantly familiar to me even though I thought I knew none of the songs when I bought this album. Each and every song on here is wonderful...some are traditional folk songs while others are newer compositions. The 23 page booklet includes a 3 page history of Jewish music, and each artist has a page about them, including a photograph. I highly recommend this album to just about everyone. My husband is Arabic and he too loves these songs. Music truly is borderless.

Marvelous & Must for Collections: Fine Gift
This is an excellent CD. Those seeking an appropriate gift would be well advised to consider buying this CD and sending it with proper wrapping. The music is lively, authentic, meaningful, moving and delightful. Fittingly the CD closes with "Shalom Aleichem and I found myself singing along. The 11 tracks contain some songs that are unfamiliar in name but are able to be sung as soon as the first notes are sounded. The sound is Klezmer-like. But, Klemezer is a part of the Jewish roots.

This musical history review includes songs from each of the three main Jewish culture categories: Ashkenazi, Mizrahi and Sephardic. The performers come from all parts of the world. Some songs are new and others have ancient roots.

My only question is When will "A Jewish Odyssey II" be issued. The CD is enjoyable and a hit. Movie makers would have issued III by now. Buy with Nachas. L'Chaim,

Alan D. Kardoff, Melbourne FL

an excellent sampler of some jewish music style
Putamayo Music excels at compiling, branding, and marketing a variety of world music styles. With this CD, they offer samples of modern renditions on classic Jewish styles from Ashkenazi/ European Jewry, Klezmer (kley-zemer), Sephardic/Iberian/North African/Levantine/Turkish Jewry, and Mizrahi/Arab country Jewry. The songs on this CD include those in Yiddish, Ladino (Judeo-Espanol/ Castilian/ Catalan/ Galician), Hebrew, and gibberish.

The first cut is Di Goldene Pave (The Golden Peacock) from the 15 year old band, The Klezmatics, and the Polish born Israeli songstress, Chava Alberstein. The lyrics are based on a Yiddish poem by Russian-Jewish-American poet, Anna Margolin. It is rendered as a beautiful Yiddish classic lullaby.

The second cut is from the British group, Burning Bush. Rad Halaila (The Night is Strong) is a well known Hassidic Hebrew melody calling upon an eternal god to return, return (shuvi, shuvi) to your children so that we can dance a hora. The clarinet riffs and accordion and violin backups are worth the purchase of the CD. The third cut comes to the CD from Italy's top Jewish ensemble, KlezRoym. They sing Fel Shara, a traditional Sephardic love song in Ladino, Italian, English, Arabic and French, English and Arabic. The lead singer, Eva Coen. The fourth cut is a melody for the Sabbath from Philadelphia-born pianist Uri Caine and singer Aaron Bensoussan. It is a mix of traditional Sephardic music with jazz. Their rendition of Lecha Dodi makes you want to welcome the Sabbath castanets.

The fifth cut is by the late Israeli singer, Ofra Haza, the Queen of Israeli Yemenite music. She passed away last year at age 41. In her song, Rachamim, you can just feel compassion descending upon her in the sounds of the woodwinds. (but then of course, Rachamim can be the name of her lover). The sixth cut didn't do anything for me. Uzka is short for Marcus Uzilevsky (Rusty Evans). In Kona Hora, he returns to his Jewish roots and couples violin lines inspired by Jewish melodies with Middle-Eastern percussion. He sings in a gibberish he calls his "spirit language" which I think sounds like Hebrew, but don't tell him that.

The seventh cut is by Hankus Netsky and his 21 year old Klezmer Conservatory Band. Their Meron Nign was well-arranged by the madolin-playing Jeff Warschauer. The mix of Hassidic niggun and middle eastern style is peppy. I expected a vocal to start at any moment, but it never comes. (kind of like the messiah) You kind of want to run out to Meron and shave your kids head (not). The eighth cut is from Turkish Jewry. Ija Mia Mi Kerida (My Dear Daughter) is sung in Ladino in a style of father and daughter in conversation, to beautiful guitar backup. The ninth cut is Las Estreyas (the Stars), sung by Chilean born Consuelo Luz of Santa Fe It is a love ballad from pre-Inquisition Spain. Although raised Catholic, she discovered converso-Jewish roots on her mother's side (the Avila family of the converso, St. Teresa of Avila), and now sings in Ladino. The tenth cut is from Ontario's 18 year old klezmer ensemble, Finjan. Dancing on Water is based on a classic, niggun-like melody. Make you want to skate or dance. The CD closes with a selection from Fortuna, a bossa nova singer from São Paulo, Brazil. She started to dream of Sephardic tunes and explored its heritage, recording 4 CD's. Her Shalom Aleichem piece is not as exciting as her life story, but it includes excellent guitar accompaniment and it somehow seemed as if a Flamenco dancer was involved in the backup. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Spirit triumphs handily over fidelity on this generous, informatively annotated package. And with a klezmer revival in full swing, it's fascinating to return as near as possible to its source to listen to what the Eastern European klezmorim thought the Yiddish community ought to hear on the first 78s full of this vital and joyous music. What first hits you are the unexpectedly sophisticated arrangements of the several klezmer orchestras represented here. The ensembles looked to American ragtime, jazz, and even military marches for inspiration after crossing the ocean. Vaudeville provided an excuse to add exotic theatrical elements to klezmer, while clarinets (played by virtuosos Dave Tarras and Naftule Brandwein, among others) gradually replaced fiddles with the advent of the swing era. Treading a fascinating balance between folk music and jazz, this vintage music seems to thrive in a world all its own. --Richard Gehr ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not for beginners¿
I bought this CD at a jewish music festival in London. It's something of a collector's piece; interesting if you are fairly familier with the genre, but possibly a little obscure and repetitive for 'novices'. It's compiled from old recordings and has a nice authentic and scratchy feel. It's particularly interesting to compare treatments of certain songs with those on other early klezmer CDs. These men could really play. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Since the dawn of the 78 record, the instrumental Yiddish folk music known as klezmer has seen its ups and downs. But thankfully, like the entire Jewish culture that fostered it, klezmer has persevered and along the way influenced how some of us hear jazz, bluegrass, even comedy. Ignore the scratches and pops of the 78s, and you will hear why klezmer is a timeless yet progressive music, built upon improvisation. For its sheer diversity, this collection of early recorded klezmer--taken from the vast music library of Dr. Martin Schwartz--has no rivals. On the opening cut from 1923, Jacob Hoffman plays a furious xylophone solo; on 1916's "Yiddisch Chusedel," Max Leibowitz plays the fiddle backed only by the rock-steady rhythm of a piano; and Joseph Solinksi brings a thoroughly haunting violin solo to "Rumanische Fantasien (Part 1)" that doesn't sound at all like it came from 1911. Klezmer greats get their due props, too: tracks by Dave Tarras, Naftule Brandwein, and a handful of Abe Schwartz compositions give the compilation its backbone. As with most good klezmer tunes, there's joy to be found in this music, and sadness, too; but on this set, variety reigns supreme and steals the show. Absolutely essential for klezmer enthusiasts. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Source Recording
This is a definite must if you want to learn klezmer from the old school (78's). This is the stuff most modern klezmer players go to in order to find material and learn how to play it authentically. There are also some really cool solos and players here. ... Read more

Album Description

A companion issue to Henry Sapoznik's book "Klezmer! Jewish Music From Old World to Our World" (Schirmer Books), the CDis a chronological anthology of Yiddish recordings from 1912-1997 which offers an overview of the diversity, audacity and enthusiasm that was Yiddish popular culture at its height, decline and current revitalization. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

There are some worthwhile tracks here
There's a fairly decent variety on this CD. But there's so much more that Amazon doesn't carry - if you want a rock beat, try artists like Oif Simchas or Piamenta. There are great wedding albums by Neginah. And among the best is "What A Wedding in Overtime". Unfortunately, they're not available on Amazon - so try http://www.mostlymusic.com instead, you won't regret it when everyone at the wedding is dancing up a storm!

in the mood for celebrating
Well, I'm certainly not an expert in Jewish music, and I've just recently begun to feel any real interest in Klezmer and popular Jewish music. So if you read this review and have any prior advanced knowledge of this kind of music, I advice you to listen carefully to the samples first. I bought this CD as a sort of introduction because the price was great.And I think it is good value! All the pieces are instrumental, danceable, and they conjure a happy mood. They convey an atmosphere of summer open-air celebration that remind me of the summer festivals of my childhood in Spain. In fact, and although these songs probably originated in Central Europe, they are not so different from the popular waltzes and paso-dobles that are played at night verbenas accross Southern Europe. It is the kind of music that makes you want to dance and shout To Life! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Organized like a Jewish wedding, this smartly compiled, fascinatingly annotated, and handsomely packaged album of living klezmer music is equally spiritual and celebratory, expressing a richness of feeling that ranges from clarinetist Andy Statman's Coltrane-esque explorations of deep Hasidic liturgical music to Brave Old World's rendition of the high-spirited procession leading from the wedding couple's homes to the ceremony. The beauty of contemporary klezmer lies in the sly melding of old European roots to progressive traditionalism. Groups like the Klezmatics (who here join their clarinet mentor Ray Musiker) and Naftule's Dream not only reflect klezmer's old-school expressionism, but extend it well beyond good-old-fashioned free jazz. Full of beautiful surprises, Klezmer Music also includes examples of "chamber" klezmer, rough-edged Gypsy klezmer from Hungary, high-spirited dance music, and much more. --Richard Gehr ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A begining.......
This was my first purchase of Klezmer(though it would be an excellent wedding gift to any of your Jewish friends), and it ended up being a great guide to the field. It comes with a well produced book that explains the basic lingo of Klezmer(lots of pictures!) and introduces you to the diverse artists that recorded these tracks. After listening, I could spring-off and focus on the various artists of the collection that I liked the best... Mixing traditional sounds and new, including strong steps toward Jazz-Klez, I found many of these cuts to continue for years to be my favorites. #1 is a good begining that eases you into the flow of whats to come. #2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 I find to be good basic examples of the genre that you would expect to fill your interest scholarly or your heart inspirationally. #5 by Andy Statman shows why he is famous for his instrumentations. But its #8,10,11, and 12 that ROCKS! If 10 doesnt put you straight to the study of the Kabbalah with its mysterious percussions and angelic like horn, your heart will swell with joy to the borders of Shamayim by listening to #11. Feverishly building and building, with a few small breaks to catch ones breath, this collection takes you from tradition to "NOW-TRADITION" in a prosaic and well demonstrative pattern of Klezmers history(and diversitive roots).
Perhaps its fitting that the last cut is a "lost cut", for #13 is neither documented in the books credits, nor on the disc itself(apparently not Amazons info either). How appropriate that this ethereal and meditative piece has no credit, could some Seraphim have broken from Heavenly duties of chanting the Trisagion to sneak this soothing jam onto the disc without Michal Shapiros knowledge?

A Good Survey of Contemporary Klezmer
Michal Shapiro's anthology presents a very telling survey of American neo-klezmer music that includes some of the best traditional interpreters as well as the more eclectic groups. There is a lot of talent on this CD -- but overall the music lacks the natural folk qualities and expressive power of the likes of Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras. Still, the Budowitz esthetic appealed to me: Horowitz and company are trying to recreate an older, less extroverted sound than klezmer fans usually hear. And Andy Statman is incredible on both his clarinet doina and the mandolin piece. The CD is worth the money for these two tracks alone.

I mainly wish to make a correction.
The artists of the third piece on the compilation go by the name of Di Naye Kapelye, not Ki Naye Kapelye. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Klezmer 1910-1942
An excellent collection and diverse representation...the kind of collection you will want to listen to again and again. My only criticism is that some of cuts are rather noisy and could benefit from further audio restoration. ... Read more

Album Details

This CD Contains the Selection of Traditional Jewish Music. ... Read more

Album Description

Here is a fresh and intriguing interpretation of the traditional Sabbath and Havdalah prayers and songs. The voices of Rabbi Jonathan Kligler and Zoe B. Zak meld together seamlessly, bringing a prayerful and effervescent quality to this ancient liturgy. Expertly produced and imaginatively arranged by Zoe B. Zak, this recording brings together musical styles from all over the world. This is new Jewish music at its best.

Whether you choose to close your eyes or follow along in the beautiful full-color accompanying booklet, Come, My Friend invites you to deepen your experience of Shabbat.

(All proceeds from the sale of this recording benefit the Woodstock Jewish Congregation.) ... Read more