Customer Reviews

Cantors Klezmorim & Crooners 1905-1953: Classic Yiddish 78s From the Mayrent Collection

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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.

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!

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.

A nicely packaged and judiciously arranged kosher sampler of liturgical music, instrumentals, and vaudeville and theater numbers from the collection of Sherry Mayrent. Each selection, from the well-known (Sophie Tucker, Barry Sisters, Fyvish Fynkl) to the unknown, has been digitally rejuvenated by engineering wizard Chris King and is generously annotated in accompanying 70-page booklet by Henry Sapoznik (Yiddish Radio Project). Both an important historical document and a genuine listening pleasure. Just check out the samples. I recommend Molly Picon's Lively "Katinka" and the breathtaking vocals on "Tsur Israel" by Goldie and the Malavsky Family.

This box set is one of those rare things that cannot be overpraised. From the choice of material to the really unbelievable sound quality, the only flaw in the whole set is that it doesn't consist of four or five or six CD's. I have my own 78's of some of the material here and have even transcribed some of them for research purposes, but can honestly say that I never even suspected how much I'd missed until I heard the versions in this set. If you're wondering why this old-fashioned music with vocals in a language that's usually treated as a joke is so important, Cantors, Klezmorim and Crooners makes the case in the most convincing way--all you have to do is listen. People already familiar with the music and those coming to it for the first time are likely to have the same reaction to this set: you've never heard anything quite like it before.

From front to back, this collection is impeccable. Those of us who have poured through the small amount of material that has been released of this genre will be amazed that there are no less than 42 tracks of unreleased material in this 3 disc set. It's a virtual goldmine. One thing that strikes me is how clean these recordings are. The audio transfer work done by Chris King is brilliant, the track annotations by Hank Sapoznik are unsurprisingly informative and well written, and Ms. Mayrent's opening essay is lovely. This is a must have. I eagerly await the next release.

Who would expect less? Three of the field's luminaries, Hank Sapoznik, Sherry Mayrent, and Chris King (on sound scrubbing) have made the compilation of the decade. The collection is fantastic, the essay by Sherry profound, the notes by Henry superb and the audio clean-up by Chris is nothing short of miraculous. And I even got lost in the beauty of the typography! For those of us who have gotten ear cramps over the years listening between the cracks to Belf's Romanian Orchestra to ferret out what the violin is playing behind the clarinet, this triple Cd package is like a visit to the spa. The care that was put into this production sets a new high water mark. Its just the bee's knees. Many, many thanks to the whole crew for putting this work out there! Josh Horowitz

I thought I knew a lot about Yiddish music. But this collection showed me how much I did NOT know. The depth and breadth is remarkable and the music itself is uplifting and, dare I say, inspiring. To hear Yiddish music is all of its forms, from the sacred music of the cantors to the dance melodies and the popular ballads of secular performers gives you a clear sense of both the history of the music and the depth of its appeal. The notes are superbly written and put the music in a solid context.

In addition, the transfers from the original recording is the most remarkable piece of audio magic I have ever heard in a commercial release. Chris King's work is widely known (and has won Grammys), but he has outdone himself with this one. The clarity is remarkable and shows how much music was actually captured on 78 RPM recordings made as much as 100 years ago.

If you have any interest in Jewish music, this is a must have.

I have heard that this is just the first in a series of releases from this remarkable collection. I hope the next one comes soon.

A wonderful addition to the growing library of reissues of early Jewish recordings. Here is the track listing:

Disc 1:

1. Der Heisser [Tartar Dance] - Naftule Brandwein
2. Nellie, Thus Es Noch Amol [Nellie, Do It Again] - Nellie Casman
3. . Rowno - Henri Gerro
4. Medley of Traditional Songs Jewish Art Quarte
5. Mi Sheoso Nisim [He Who Performed Miracles] Berele Chagy
6. Boruch Habo [Greetings]Friedsel Band
7. Getzel at a Baseball Game Michel Rosenberg
8. Yidden, Loift Tzum Rebbin [Jews, Run to the Rabbi] - Peisachke Burstein
9. Kol Nidre [All Vows] Pt 1 Cantor Selmar Cerini
10. Katinka - Molly Picon
11. Die Boibriker Chasseneh [the Wedding in Boibrik] Pt 1 - Boibriker Kapelle
12. Die Boibriker Chasseneh [the Wedding in Boibrik] Pt 2 - Boibriker Kapelle
13. Hop-Lia-Lia-Tantz [Hop-Lia-Lia Dance] - Mishka Ziganoff
14. Unsane Toikef [the Trumpet Has Sounded]Cantor David Roitman
15. Mlava Malke [the Third Sabbath Meal] - Isa Kremer
16. Ov-Horachamim [Father of Mercy]Cantor Freydele Oysher
17. Dem Rebins Nign [the Rabbi's Melody]Elenkrig's Orchestra
18. Ye Ch'ob Nit Kein Panenis [Yes, We Have No Bananas]Gus Goldstein
19. Arashas S'fosenu [May the Entreaty of Our Lips]Machtenberg's Choir
20. Attorney Street [Poor Man, Where Are You Going?]Ludwig Satz
21. Haben Yakir Li [My Son Is Dear to Me]Cantor Alter Yechiel Karniol
22. Tantzen Zol Zein Getantzt [Dancing Should Be Danced]Sam Finkel

Disc 2:

1. Selection of Hebrew Dances, No. 2 Ambrtose and HIs Orchestra
2. Nem Mich Zu Fun der Machine [Take Me Away from the Machine] - Jennie Goldstein
3. Histendiger Chazen [Coughing Cantor] - Maurice Schwartz
4. Vus Zull Men Zingen? [What Shall We Sing?]Feder Sisters
5. Telebende Furt Kein Amerika [Telebende Goes to America] - Clara Gold
6. Hinenee Heoni-Mimaas [Here I Stand Before Thee] - Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt
7. Auf der Mohlidivanka [on the Great White Way of Odessa] - Kandel's Orchestra
8. Vie Iz Dos Gessele [Where Is the Little Street]Joseph Moskowitz
9. Marry a Yiddish Boy - American Quartet
10. Suze Bren, Die Dienst Moid [Bren, The Maid]Bessie Thomashefsky
11. Rozo Deshabbos [Mystery of the Sabbath] Pt 1 Cantor Pierre Pinchik
12. Rozo Deshabbos [Mystery of the Sabbath] Pt 2
13. Operatic Rag - Joseph Moskowitz
14. Ich Bin a Boarder Ba Mein Weib [I Board at My Wife's] - Fyvush Finkel
15. Nukh Shale-Sudes [After the Third Sabbath Meal]Belf's Orchestra
16. Der Alter Zigeuner [The Old Gypsy] - Bagelman Sisters, Seymour Rechtzeit
17. If I Were Rothschild - Sholom Aleichem
18. Kiddush [Blessing for Wine]Lady Cantor Sophie Kurtzer
19. Fregt Die Velt an Alte Kashe [the World Asks an Old Question]Jewish Nat'l Choir
20. Alle Menshen Thuen Dos [Everybody's Doing It]Simon Paskal
21. Tikanto Shabbos [You Have Instituted the Sabbath] Pt 1Cantor Mordechai Hershman
22. In Gorten Fun Liebe: Potpourri [in the Garden of Love]Olshanetsky's Orchestra

Disc 3:

1. Czortkow'er Chusid [the Rabbi's Adherent] Art Shryer's Yiddishe Orchestra
2. Eli Eli (God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?)Frances Simonoff
3. Brivele der Mame Part 1 [A Little Letter to Mother]Solomon Smulewitz
4. Birchas Kohanim [Blessing of the Priests]Cantor Isaiah Meisels
5. Oks Odessauer Chusidl Russische- Judisiche Orchestra
6. Cohen on the Telephone - Joe Hayman
7. Lenine and Trotsky Morris Goldstein
8. Von Die Zweigen Die Fidelach [from the Branches, The Fiddles] - Regina Prager
9. Odom Yasoido Meafor [Man's Origin Is from Dust]Cantor Gershon Sirota
10. My Yiddishe Momme, Part 1 - Sophie Tucker
11. My Yiddishe Momme, Part 2 - Sophie Tucker
12. Az du Furst Avek [as You Go Away]Yenkowitz and Goldberg
13. Ojlom Habu [the World to Come] - Frau Pepi Littmann
14. Der Kadish [the Prayer for the Dead]Golden Quartet
15. Chasidic in America - Moishe Oysher, Florence Weiss
16. Tanz in Jerushelajim Broder Kapelle
17. Moishe Kapoir [Moishe Upside Down]Joseph Feldman
18. Al Hurishonim [from the First to the Last] Cantor Leibele Waldman
19. Duvid Hamelech's Fidel [King David's Fiddle] - Belle Baker
20. Tsur Israel [Rock of Israel] Cantor Goldie Malavsky
21. Der Trombenik [the Blow Hard]Aaron Lebedeff
22. Ovinu Malkeinu [Our Father, Our King]Cantor Sawel Kwartin
23. Russishe Shehr Abe Schwartz Orchestra

This collection cuts through a pretty wide swath of Yiddish musical tradition, each number practically a discrete genre unto itself. Lots of genuine rarities. There's some incredible musicianship and gorgeously haunting voices, among other things. Many of these arrangements and improvisations offer insight into an underappreciated aspect of the history of jazz. At first I thought I'd be mostly just interested in those jazz-like klezmer numbers (like clarinet genius Naftule Brandwein), but some of the cantors are downright sublime. And, of course, the remastering job from Chris King is bang-up top-notch. Dig the signature needle drops at the beginning of each disc. Lots of detailed info and historical perspective in the liner notes and some translated portions, too, for them of us what don't know Yiddish.