2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some quotes about this CD from reviewers:, April 24, 2005
This review is from: Midrash Mish Mosh (Audio CD)
"The Klezmer madness album to end all albums? Midrash Mish Mosh is like a circus caravan, rolling through sensitive folk tunes, screwball urban blowouts, and complex bar mitzvah bashes that will have the good rabbi calling the police."
Ken Micallef, Modern Drummer
"A project with newly composed music of expansive scope, Alexander has produced a screaming celebration of the multicultural American Jewish identity."
Elliot Simon, All About Jazz, NY
" The songs are so melodic, and the all-star band so exceptional, that it takes repeated listenings to begin to peel the onion....When we talk about Radical Jewish Music, meaning music that pushes the edges of what `Jewish Music' is, and that gets you excited about the idea, this is the music we're talking about.
Ari Davidov, Klezmershack
"What's that about the drummer setting the tone? Alexander's animated percussion style brings a sense of creative frenetics to his little big band....the drummer's krazed klez swoops you off your feet."
Jim Macnie, Village Voice
"...a relentlessly fun record...On Alexander's latest CD, "Midrash Mish Mosh," dueling drummers pound infectious klezmer-rooted music through round holes, embracing jazz, thrash-punk, Balkan and African rhythms. The boot will conquer the sandal."
John Schaeffer, WNYC Radio
"Pounding free-bop with swirling klezmerish lines, this is definitely not your grandpa's bar mitzvah band. Alexander sounds like Barry Altschul on crystal meth, a dervish on wood blocks and crash cymbals."
George Robinson, Jewish Week
"The tunes themselves are quite catchy and hummable, but the raging electric guitars and furious blowing that sometimes accompany them may take some listeners by surprise. This album isn't for the strict traditionalists, but it sure is fun and almost certain to get even the goys moving."
Sean Westergaard, All Music Guide
"...Alexander proves himself a truly accomplished composer and leader. This has as much tunefulness as any good klezmer collection, but it takes it (along with punk, jazz and so much more) to a new, exciting place."
Dan Cherubin, CD Hotlist
"A delirious mix of modern jazz and pre-modern klezmer music, delivered by musicians who are as comfortable with the old world as they are with the new."
Alexander Gelfand, Jazziz
"You won't find music like this anywhere else on the planet! You may find "imitators", or mideastern players that remind you of sections of what's being played here, but nothing can equal the sheer wall of energy you'll hear coming at you on the opener,`Kleyzmish Moshpit'."
Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
" - a joyous, rhythmically unrelenting fusion of klezmer, free jazz, world music and fast, fun, loud thrash punk."
Rahel Musleah, Na'amat WOMAN
www.aaronalexander.com
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