Customer Reviews

Blood Oranges

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The musicians of Brave Old World describe their work as "New Jewish Music," and wonderful music it is. Although deeply rooted in the traditions of Eastern European klezmer, BOW refuses to limit themselves to an archaeological revival style. Instead they treat the idiom as part of an evolving musical form, open to influences from other traditions. The result is exciting, crisply executed, musically sophisticated stuff that is unmistakably Jewish, but joyfully embraces jazz ballads, salsa, and other genres as well. This is no recap of tradition, it's the next step.

Michael Alpert's performance as the group's vocalist and badchen (a kind of klezmic m.c.)shows great range and depth. BOW's muscianship is impeccable and they meld together in a way that seems to show deep mutual respect. Of the cuts on this album I thought "Homeland" -- the only vocal piece performed in English -- a little pretentious. Everything else was simply wonderful. "Uncle Elya" should become a jazz standard (I can imagine it sung by Billie Holiday) and if "The Band" doesn't get your foot tapping, nothing will.

In the fast-growing genre of klezmer-rooted new music, Brave Old World really stands out as innovators and this album shows them off at their best.

If you can imagine this, combine wonderful neo-klezmer, Coltrane and Tyner, with a concept album akin to Seargent Pepper and you get Blood Oranges. The four musicians are incredibly talented, and play beautifully together. My 12 year old son loves this album-he is a jazz/rock bass player and had to show his (Daoist) teacher how cool this is. These guys are as good or better than the Klezmatics.