In the slipstream of the Balkan-hype, klezmer, the in origin instrumental music of the Yiddish speaking Jews from Eastern Europe, has also become ever more popular. Nonetheless, the bulk of the world music lovers seem to ignore the genre and well-known world music festivals rarely add a klezmer band to their program. On these pages we want to do our best to give the genre the place it deserves.
Even though the primeval form of klezmer dates back many centuries, in the nineteen eighties The Klezmatics almost single-handedly spurred a revival of the genre. The band has been at the forefront of the genre for just over twenty-five years now and for those who still have to get to know their oeuvre the 2008 compilation 'Tuml = Lebn: The Best Of The First 20 Years' may offer the ideal introduction. The 16 tracks on the album all date from the first two decades in the existence of the band and can roughly be divided into three categories: songs in English, tracks in Yiddish and instrumentals.
Should you want a taste of what a Klezmatics concert is like 'Live At Town Hall' is an excellent suggestion. This live show from 2011, spread over two discs, was recorded in their home town New York, where, in addition to The Klezmatics, a whole host of guest musicians took to the stage.
Amsterdam Klezmer Band's 'Mokum' offers even more klezmer. The band celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and recorded 'Mokum' (a popular nickname for Amsterdam derived from Hebrew) in the Amsterdam Studio 150 to mark the occasion. 'Mokum' is a kind of live 'Best Of' album featuring some of their most acclaimed live songs. Party!