Klezmer Madness from the Boot: A Review of Nord America Klezmer
Alright, buckle up, because this one's a wild ride through the joyous, chaotic world of klezmer music. Released in 2000 (yes, the year we all thought computers would explode), Nord America Klezmer is an Italian-spun gem that feels like stumbling into a wedding party where everyone’s slightly drunk on nostalgia and bad puns. Produced by Matteo Silva under Fabbri Editori, it’s got The Klezmatics, Chicago Klezmer Ensemble, Don Byron, Il Revival Del Klezmer, and more—basically, if klezmer were a potluck dinner, this album would be the dish everyone fights over.
Let’s dive straight into the tracks, shall we? First off, there’s “Mazltov,” which kicks things off with enough energy to wake your grandma from her afternoon nap. It’s got that classic klezmer mix of clarinets wailing like they just stubbed their toes and violins running laps around your eardrums. What makes it stick? Maybe it’s how effortlessly it swings between chaos and melody, as though the musicians are daring each other to go off-script but never quite do. You’ll find yourself humming along even though you have no idea what "mazltov" actually means beyond vague notions of celebration. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t mean “spill the wine.”
Then there’s “Frailach Jamboree,” which sounds exactly like its name implies—a hoedown for people who wear suspenders without irony. This track stands out because it’s impossible not to imagine some guy in a bowler hat doing spins on a wooden floor while his mustache flaps in the breeze. There’s something gloriously unhinged about the way the tempo builds, drops, then rockets back up again like a caffeinated squirrel. If ever there was a song designed to make introverts regret sitting at the back table, this is it.
Now, let’s talk about the rest of the gang: “Sirba Matey Matey” has a pirate-y vibe (or maybe I’ve been watching too many Johnny Depp reruns). Meanwhile, “Bet Zih Iber Un Geyt A Tentsl” rolls out like a lullaby for insomniacs who need nine cups of tea before bed. The variety here is staggering—it’s like flipping channels on an old TV set, except every channel is playing klezmer instead of infomercials.
What really ties this whole thing together is the vibe. These artists aren’t just playing songs; they’re telling stories, throwing parties, and occasionally starting arguments—all without saying a word. It’s messy, heartfelt, and utterly human, like finding a crumpled love letter in your grandpa’s attic.
So yeah, Nord America Klezmer might not change your life, but it’ll definitely remind you why humans invented music in the first place: to dance when words fail, laugh when tears threaten, and clap along even when you’re completely lost. And honestly? Isn’t that worth a listen or two? Or three?
P.S. Listening to this album may cause spontaneous foot-tapping, air-conducting, and an inexplicable craving for latkes. Proceed with caution.
