Cantors Klezmorim & Crooners 1905-1953: Classic Yiddish 78s From the Mayrent Collection [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: JSP Records
• ASIN: B002Q3OC0I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,737 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Folk > Jewish & Yiddish Music
  • #40 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General
  • #40 in Music > World Music > Middle East > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Red Lick Records:

"A whole lot of love and care has been lavished on this project and JSP must be thrilled with the result because they've just produced a landmark reissue of Jewish music with all the respect it deserves. I can see another Grammy on the horizon for this!"

"They'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry, but most of all they'll deepen your appreciation for the richness of Jewish culture." "...an amazing job.."

"...reveals the popular tastes of the Jewish community at a time of great cultural ferment and "...had me marveling, open- mouthed..."

Product Description

Gleaned from the nearly 9,000 Yiddish 78s in the collection of Sherry Mayrent, this historic anthology gives the listener a sweeping soundscape of the music made by and for the Yiddish speaking community from the late 19th century to the 1950s. Cantorials, klezmer dance tunes, Yiddish vaudeville skits, and Yiddish theater songs abound in this anthology of 73 tracks - 46 of them never before reissued - a milestone in the examination of the Yiddish cultural renaissance at the height of its powers. With notes by Sherry Mayrent and Henry Sapoznik and digital remastering by Grammy winning producer Christopher King, the 76 page illustrated booklet was designed by award winning designer Susan Archie.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark collection...a must have!, November 17, 2009

By 

K. J. Maltz (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cantors Klezmorim & Crooners 1905-1953: Classic Yiddish 78s From the Mayrent Collection (Audio CD)

It's about time that we had a truly diverse and inclusive compilation of Jewish music from the first half of the 20th Century and this 3 CD set is exactly that. True to its title, this beautifully illustrated and masterfully annotated package is a wonderful representation of Yiddish culture as it flourished in "Di Goldene Medine" [The Golden Land]; a.k.a. America. The listener will find just about every important artist in the world of Yiddish music; including, but not limited to Naftule Brandwein, Dave Tarras, Mishka Ziganoff, Abe Schwartz, Harry Kandel, Yossele Rosenblatt, Berele Chagy, Mordechay Hershman, David Roitman, Alter Yechiel Karniol, Pierre Pinchik, Isa Kremer, Fraydele Oysher, Ludwig Satz, Jennie Goldstein, Maurice Schwartz, Fyvush Finkel and others of equal ability and reputation. The novelty tracks on these CDs are, by themselves, worth the price of this set: "Cohen on the Telephone" will have you in stiches, as will "Getzel at a Baseball Game." This collection was assembled by Sherry Mayrent, whose introductory essay ought to be required reading for anyone with more than a passing interest in this subject and Hank Sapoznik's record annotations provide a concise, informative and thoughtful background for each track. Audio editing and restoration was performed by Chris King, who has succeeded in removing the objectionable surface noise that often accrues to these original recordings over the years and, more importantly, has done so while allowing the warmth of the original performances to shine through.

I've been following this project since its inception and I can honestly say that the folks who put this together share a deep love and respect for this music. It shows.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection!!, December 10, 2009

By 

M. Winograd (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cantors Klezmorim & Crooners 1905-1953: Classic Yiddish 78s From the Mayrent Collection (Audio CD)

I have just finished listening to the 3 disc set "Cantors, Klezmorim and Crooners, 1905 -1953: Classic Yiddish 78s from the Mayrent Collection," and reading its liner notes. What an excellent collection of music and culture from a time so rich in art and creativity! This collection spans a world of Jewish life from the first half of the 20th century, presenting recordings from that of the religious and secular culture. The diversity of the collection is remarkable. Throughout this multi-genre package, we come across more well known recordings from this era (Klezmer clarinetist Naftule Brandwein, the Abe Schwartz Orchestra, Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt, theater stars Fyvish Finkel and Molly Picon,) rare gems that haven't seen the light of day for decades (how many of you Klezmer enthusiasts have even heard of clarinetist Sam Finkel??,) and just about everything in between. But even more stunning is the sound quality of these re-issues. The re-mastering and noise reduction give these recordings a brand new life and is uniquely special for a collection of music from this period. So often when listening and studying early recordings from the 1910s, 20s and 30s, such an effort needs to be made to really hear what is going on sonically (and even with that effort, the ears can only make so much progress.) Now, with these re-mastered recordings, the music can be enjoyed in a way that's never been possible. This is specifically noticeable on the earlier recordings in the compilation (Belf's Roumanian Orchestra, Cantor Alter Yechiel Karniol, Cantor Gershon Sirota and Cantor Leibele Waldman's recordings specifically.) The anthology's liner notes are presented in a 70 page booklet, full of background information, art and photography, which along with the stellar sounding collection, serve as more than just a great source for listening, but a great historical document, Highly recommended for anyone with ears!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent blast from the past, January 12, 2010

By 

Amy Carrigan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cantors Klezmorim & Crooners 1905-1953: Classic Yiddish 78s From the Mayrent Collection (Audio CD)

The new Cantors, Klezmorim and Crooners box set is such a treat! A wonderful collection of old gems for anyone who is interested in listening to source material music, meaning original recordings of songs or tunes recorded closer to their originally composed states rather than the modernized or adapted versions we so commonly hear. Listening to recordings from 100 years ago gives me chills! and to hear these songs , taken from 78s and bumped up in quality is really rare. It's a wonderfully diverse mix of music with the perfect amount of record fuzz and not! When is box set 2 coming out?!

A highlight for me includes Cantor Berele Chagy on Disk A. About moment 1:09-1:15.