Customer Reviews

Songs of Our Fathers

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

 

 

I bought this CD on the high recommendations of a thread in an email discussion group, and was definitely not disappointed. This is Jewish music at it's very best. I especially like the fact that it is 100% acoustical, with none of the ear-splitting electronic sounds that have crept into "modern" klezmer lately. This album evokes the spiritual intimacy of the Melavah Malkah (Saturday night post-Sabbath gathering) around the woodstove in Old Russia. There are pieces from a number of different Hasidic groups, a lively Russian kazatski that is "fueled with Kentucky sour mash instead of potato vodka" (according to the album insert), plus an original Sephardic dance called "Bashi's Bounce," written by Andy Staman in honor of his wife, Barbara ("Bashi" in Hebrew.)

Also included are several tunes written by the late Shlomo Carlebach, a 20th-century Hasidic folksinger whose music has become so integrated into the Jewish world that it is often assumed to be "ancient" liturgy. (Carlebach's 1960's album "At the Village Gate" has been re-released on CD and is available here at Amazon). Statman and Grisman are obviously having a great time improvising on these familiar tunes!

"Songs of Our Fathers" comes boxed with a very nice, slick-print booklet on the history of the album, Jewish music in general, and the background of each of the pieces. The booklet includes color photos and brief bios of Statman and Grisman, along with plenty of B&W pics of the traditional Jews who originally played this music. Ten stars!

While I was writing my review for Grisman's newest wonderful release (Traversata, with Carlo Aonzo and Beppe Gambetta) it struck me that I never wrote a review for the great Songs Of Our Fathers.

For me, this cd displays both sides of the coin, the mourning of those who are gone, as well as the celebration of the joy and beauty in life. There is just no denying that Shalom Aleichem is one of the saddest and most beautiful melodies ever written, or that the Chassidic Medley (track #2) is all-out dance music!

Andy Statman is a true musical marvel. If he only played clarinet as well as he does then he'd be legendary, and if he only played mandolin as well as he does he'd be legendary. Instead, he just plays both instruments as well as he does (and composes and arranges too).

I've had this cd for 5 or 6 years and had I reviewed it when I first got connected to the internet I would have given it 5 stars. The only reason I'm only giving it 4 stars now is because Acoustic Disc releases (Grisman's label) have even crisper, fuller, richer sound now than they did back when Songs Of Our Fathers was released.

This recording is one of the crown-jewel's of the Acoustic Disc label.

I listen to this and/or "The Hidden Light" every night while meditating, and often play it after I turn the lights out, and when I get up in the morning. It is lovely, lyrical, uplifting, joy-inspiring music, and Andy Statman's fresh, somewhat jazz-influenced approach raises the beautiful traditional melodies to new levels.

Since 1977, The David Grisman Quartet album has been one of my favorites so when I saw this I couldn't resist. It's all instrumental. A really wide range of songs, from Shalom Aleichem that can evoke deep emotions to bouncy march-like songs with drums and whistles that make you get up and dance. The whole family loves it. I just bought 5 copies to give to friends!!!

I heard snippets of this CD during an interview on National Public Radio. I took the next offramp (I was driving on the interstate), wrote down Statman's name and proceeded to hunt for this CD. I put the name on a list and FINALLY someone bought it for me as a Christmas present. (It took her a long time to find it in a local music shop). I listen to this on days when I can't get it together at work. Poignant here, upbeat there, a terrific musical offering

I picked up this CD the local library. Listened once, and liked it, listened a second time and knew for certain I had to have my own copy. Grab a cup, or glass, of your favorite beverage, get comfortable, turn the lights low and listen. You will be transported back in time to an era that's not lost, just hiding for the moment. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this music, though it may well add a little extra to the experience, you just have to listen. Buy it. You won't begrudge the few dollars, I promise you.

I've recently became a fan of David Grisman and Andy Statman. There are some real cool mandolin riffs in this album, lots of tremelo, lots of emotion. And the clarinet playing ain't bad either. It's all acoustical, and ranges from the happy and upbeat "David Melech Yisrael" and "Toska" to the emotional and melancholic "Shalom Aleichem", and "Adon Olam" a tune that sticks to you. "Kazatski" shows Grisman's virtuosity on the mandolin. If you love the Dawg, get this album. It shows the enormous range of musical styles he has.

If you like Klezmer, if you appreciate smokin' fun music, buy this and turn it up. Wow. I tried to borrow my father's copy, but he bought me my own instead. This is one of my favorite CD's. Buy it!

Giving this wonderful CD 5 Stars seems like damning with faint praise.

I first fell in love with Andy Statman's "Flatbush Waltz," which he played mandolin on, on Itzhak Perlman's "The Fiddler's House" CD. The most beautifully sad music.

After browsing and reading, I bought this, it came, and I couldn't get anymore painting done that afternoon. I just sat on the sofa listening and clicking "repeat" on track after track.

Andy Statman and David Grisman are brilliant, yes, but all the musicians here are masters.

Yes, this is acoustic Jewish music which at times strays in the direction of bluegrass, but -also- it's just beyond category.

Another "beyond category" Andy Statman CD you might check out is "Between Heaven And Earth."

Relaxing music. Some familiar melodies, some original.