Customer Reviews

Knitting on the Roof

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this CD on a whim, and initially disliked almost every
song. Eventually, I dug it back out, and came to like several
of the songs, although there are several that are pretty bad.
Tradition is unlistenable, Matchmaker dances around the
'right' notes, never touching them, and thus perhaps worth a listen.
If I were a Rich Man is quite nice and strange, sung in
a very low, flat voice. Sabbath Prayer is beautiful, once one gets
past the intro. To Life is just a jumble.
Miracle of Miracles is a mediocre guitar/vocal rendition of the song. not particularly pleassant or unpleasant.
Tevye's Dream is an amusing hip-hop remix of the original song.
Sobule's rendition of Sunrise/Sunset is incredible, and is the
song that prompted me to dig the CD back out. It might be worth
buying the CD for this song alone.
Wedding Celebration is an uninteresting interpretation
of the original, with a spacey new-age intro, and the more
faithful innards of the song still being far inferior to the
original.
Do you Love Me is a funny, modern interpretation of the song
and situation. It's more spoken comedy than music.
Far from the Home I love reminds one of a persistant fly that
needs to be swatted but is too fast to be caught.
Chava is ok, but its pace is too slow.
Anatevka is atmospheric music, mildly pleasant, but bears little
resemblance to the original song.

This is one of the most exciting CDs I've heard in a long time. Really! I've never heard such fresh and creative cover songs performed on a single CD. I'm a fan of Knitting Factory Records and this is one of the most ambitious and successful projects I've heard from them. The multitude of musical styles represented is mind boggling and strange, but it is listener friendly, fun and stimulating. One minute your enjoying the beautiful voice of Jill Sobule and the next moment, you are transfixed by the twisted and utterly fascinating cover of "Matchmaker" by the Residents. You have to hear it to believe it.

After exploring some of the more mainstream Klezmer Bands this compilation was a breath of fresh air. It has opened the door for me to explore a genre that I was not aware of. The Paradox Trio and Jill Sobule cuts were outstanding. Can't wait to hear more of from the artists involved with this project!

I own dozens of Klezmer CD's, and even several Knitting Factory CD's. But nothing prepared me for the range and depth of Klezmer-esque musical expression represented on Knitting on the Roof. It might not be for everyone (hey, what is?) but if you've liked anything the Knitting Factory has put out, you're likely to like this. And incidentally, the day after I first heard this CD, I bought every Jill Sobule CD I could find.

Ever since i heard this CD, while visiting a friend in NJ, i thought it would be perfect for my dad. Who loves fiddler on the roof, and also has a sence of humour that is required for this CD. If you love klezmer, and have a sence of humour you should love this, its great. I thought it was just fiddler on the roof at first, until i actualy listened to the words, i recomend you buy this, and listen carefully to the words...they are so clever, and so funny.

The Magnetic Fields track is the best! Also check out The Residents, Come, and Negativland's track's too!

Listening to the Magnetic Fields track made me think that this Cd would be a gem, but it's just not so. There are only two or three songs on it that aren't painful to listen to. The good ones (If I Were a Rich Man, Sunrise Sunset and arguably Miracle of Miracles) are quite good, but in some cases, Matchmaker for example, it seems the bands were trying to ruin the songs. This Cd will please a niché audience, but is not for everyone. The potential is there for something great, but Knitting just falls short.

Hear these songs from Fiddler on the Roof in a whole new, delightful way

wild sounds and cool and crazy klezmer . . . you have to listen to believe!

This is an often brilliant parody on the musical/soundtrack. I get a blast out of Magnetic Fields version of Rich Man. Come on, a solo ukulele (banjo?) and voice wonder! There are several golden hits worth the price. There are some flops, too, but that is expected, especially in a various artists album. Definitely, go for it. Or at least download the Rich Man song for free.