Customer Reviews

Awakening From Above

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I have been an avid listener of Andy Statman's music. Perhaps because I love music that is both spiritual and also posseses a display of a musician's depth both as a musician and one in which the feelings and emotions of the musician can be shared with the listener. I feel Andy has been growing and evolving as a musician in presenting quality music. His last 5 recordings on the clarinet show that growth and this CD is no exception. He plays w/ a trio and in some places solo. This is powerful music and we are all the better for it. This is his interpretation of Hasidic Niggunim (wordless melodies) and there are moments when he sticks close to the melody and other places where he creates space to improvise and reachs for something not yet expressed in sound. Please listen to this and enjoy.

"Awakening from Above" is an ecstatic collection of Eastern European Jewish music. His luxuriant improvisations seem to come from a place that is so intimate and soulful that it makes you blush to listen to them. Eagle and Whitney contribute minimalist accompaniment - a few drum beats here, a bass drone there, allowing Statman to swoop and dive and soar. His improvisation on Reb Michel Zlotchover's "Deveykus Niggun" is a lengthy free jazz treatment of a traditional 18th century niggun (song for cleaving to God.) Whitney's bass growls in the bottom and Eagle provides light cymbal taps while Statman rhapsodizes with rich, coppery trills and runs. It's music that is not so much listened to as absorbed through the pores.

- Peggy Latkovich
review from CDroots site which has more information