Customer Reviews

Big Kibosh

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I was looking for something new at Best Buy, I had to sift through a ton of unoriginal, cookie-cutter mainstream trash before I got to the Folk section. But that's another story. I picked up "The Big Kibosh" not knowing what kind of music it was, i just thought the cover was interesting. Well, i was pleasantly surprised-accordions have never sounded as good as this before! I do like that they have an accordion; some bands choose to go without one, and that can be good too, but this accordionist is accomplished beyond belief! They start out on the right, upbeat, crazy note with the spirit-lifting "Wake-up Call", which puts you in the mood for the wonderful craziness that pervades the rest of the CD, stopping only for "transition to buffet" and picking right back up again. I would not recommend spinning this one when you are uptight, nervous or anxious, because the many different sounds, the fast pace and the ever-changing tempos and tunes sre not meant to calm you down. Some of the songs near the end of the CD give the impression that they were running low on inspiration, but just when you're about to skip back to the early tracks, on comes the spectacular violin-based "Bob's birthday song", where the phrasing is so vivid that you can just see the circus clowns serenading their friend Bob. "Bweep Bweep" could have been improved by stopping after 10 minutes, but it is a fantastic, catchy song. Overall, a fantastic intro to the wonderful world of klezmer music.

This group has really got it together. They've managed to take klezmer music and combine it with innovative and exciting modern jazz rifts and style. The music also reflects they're New Orleans heritage which adds an additional element of complexity and excitement. This album is an absolute must for anyone who believes groups should not play to the lowest common denominator!!!!! Itzhak Perlman would add some real spice to his act with this group in tow!

This ins't just a CD that contains Klezmer music, it contains Klezmer music and great songs, all well as wacky sounds. My dad showed it to me a lond time ago, and it was my first introduction to Kelzmer music. Now I'm looking foward to hearing their other CD.

Although it might seem downright crazy to try to combine Klezmer music with a New Orleans musical sensibility, after you listen for a while, it all starts to make sense. Hearing Jewish dance music with a gypsy flair combines with a Second-Line beat is quite a bit of fun. Zydeco has no monopoly on energetic danceability: it would be fun to see these guys in a battle of the bands at the Rock 'n Bowl--I'm sure they could hold their own! Fun stuff, well recorded, and guaranteed to broaden your musical perspective. What more could you want?