Master mandolinist David Grisman and clarinet virtuoso Andy Statman, in a long-awaited follow-up to Songs of Our Fathers (1995), have again combined their shared Jewish heritages. That both men are veterans of the "newgrass" and folk scenes comes across in the Appalachian-like swing of the title selection and their collaboration sounds unforced and mutually sympathetic throughout. Statman's honking, shrieking clarinet, with its echoes of past masters like Giora Feidman and Dave Tarras, soars and swoops along, just this side of spoken language. Grisman's plangent yet mellifluous plucked strings are miracles of flawless technique and taste, and he is periodically joined by Statman on the same instrument. The duo are assisted by studio drummer Hal Blaine and Enrique Coria on acoustic guitar, both of whom also appeared on Songs of Our Fathers, plus noted slide guitarist Bob Brozman and Grisman's son, Samson, who ably sits in on bass. Highlights include "Oifen Pripitchik" (On the Hearth), a sweetly melancholy 19th-century Yiddish song, and the Chassidic niggun, "Ani Ma'amin" (I Believe), composed by Rabbi Ezriel Dovid Fastag in a cattle car en route to the Treblinka death camp-- it later became a survivalist anthem sung in other such hell-holes. --Christina Roden
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Soul and Inspiration:
For a few years now I have enjoyed Klezmer music but have experienced it as essentially a secular Jewish art form. Even lipservice to religious songs have sounded subservient the demands of the Klezmer style. To describe this album simply as religiously inspired klezmer would be a misrepresentation. Yes I can hear influence of rock, bluegrass and classical music from these highly accomplished musicians. But most of all I hear the soul of the Chassidisher niggun, the broken heart of someone who yearns... more info
New Shabbos Waltz:
New Shabbos Waltz is a fitting follow-up record to the acclaimed Songs of Our Fathers.
Again, the combined talents of David Grisman and Andy Stanton transport the listener to the spiritual relms with their hauntingly beautiful Chasidic and classical Jewish music. And you don't have to be Jewish to take the trip!
Tracks:
Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King)
Anim Zemiros (Song of Glory)
Pischu Li (Open the Gates) - David Grisman, Carlebach, Shlomo
Shabbos Ha Yom Lashem (The Sabbath, God's Day)
Mim'komkha (From Your Place) - David Grisman, Carlebach, Shlomo
New Shabbos Waltz
Ya'aleh (May Our Supplication Ascend)
Oifen Pripitchik (On the Hearth)
Old Klezmer
Yerushalayim Irkhah (Jerusalem, Your City) - David Grisman, Shenker, Rabbi Ben
Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) - David Grisman, Shemer, Naomi
