Customer Reviews

Wonder Wheel

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This latest CD from the Klezmatics comes as a happy event. The starting point for the album is a dozen lyrics left unset by Woody Guthrie, unmistakably infused with his activist, humanity-embracing spirit. The Klezmatics were entrusted with fashioning songs around these lyrics by Guthrie's daughter, Nora, who produces the album. The band rises to the occasion with music that takes full measure of Guthrie's sentiments -- while remaining true to their own musical roots, introducing colors both subtle and vivid, blending nostalgia and vision, and breaking new ground with tuneful abandon. The words and music are as though woven together, not a seam in view. In lesser hands the premise--lost lyrics wedded to new artists--might have resulted in a stale hommage, but the Klezmatics have long since shown themselves to be masters of the collaborative art.

This is music full of life and light. As a collection it is both kaleidoscopic and cohesive, giving the album a delightfully natural flow. By any standard it ranks with the best of the band's earlier work, notably "The Well." Each melody is indelible, resonating in the mind and heart. It would be a slight to say that the great folk troubadour has been honored, resurrected, or reinvented by the Klezmatics. It sounds, merely and simply, like a collaboration - something natural and unforced and workmanlike, where the proof is in the pudding. Perhaps most surprising is the canny "pop" touch that makes this collection as winning and accessible as it is adventurous.

The songs are all so fine I can't resist commenting on each one. "Come When I Call You" is a beautiful, haunting war-weary song that is all the more powerful for being plainspoken. First time I heard "Mermaid's Avenue" I immediately thought of Neil Sedaka, and this infectious song would have had an impressive run on the 60s pop charts. "Headdy Down" is a lullaby shared by father and mother, to a melody that manages to be both soothing and funky. The Klezmatics score big with "Gonna Get Through This World" - a quietly impassioned manifesto with a beguiling blend of Celtic and Yiddish influences. "Pass Away" too has a Middle-Eastern flavor, sinuously wound into a quasi-psychedelic chant; it perfectly captures the mystical sense of the words. To my ears, "Holy Ground" is the closest the album comes to a melody that Guthrie might have written, an American spiritual, satisfying in its simplicity. Then comes "Goin' Away to Sea," which is one of the two full-throttle klezmer numbers on the album, a jaunty shanty sung by a soldier keeping his Jewish identity close to heart as he sails off to fight in WWII. From the evidence of the dedication, "From Here On In" was written as a wedding song; so beautifully touching it would be a benediction on any union. "The Wheel of Life" is another klezmer whirlwind, filled with exuberant, entrancing dissonances. "Condorbird" is perhaps the oddest song I've heard from the Klezmatics - an immensely likable tune seemingly written for mariachi oompah band. "Orange Blossom Ring" gives lead singer Lorin Sklamberg an unforgettable love song, remarkable only for its beautiful and not for its homoeroticism. "Heaven" is perhaps the most unexpected song on the record - an exhilarating and unashamed anthem, and the perfect valedictory to an album you're not ready to have end.

While the arrangements are all solid and tremendous fun, the performances rely not at all on the instrumental virtuosity that is one of the band's calling cards. Their sense of when to let simplicity speak for itself and when to jazz things up is perfectly judged. Their guest artists, notably Susan McKeown on vocals and Boo Reiners on banjo, make welcome contributions. The Klezmatics are renowned on the world music circuit, but with this entry they are likely to find a wider audience. And, not least of all, what a joy to discover here a sheaf of worthy new Woody Guthrie songs!

The producers have seen to it that the sonic perspective is clear, immediate, and natural. The CD booklet is exemplary and denotes the love that went into this project, with engaging notes and presentation of text and graphics.

Beautiful folk songs. Joyful and fun... this album is like taking a trip to Coney Island in the 1950's with your best modern folky friends. I read a review where it quoted Pete Seeger saying this was "a piece of genius." That can't be bad.
:)

This album is absolutely incredible... it takes you on an amazing journey, and covers the range of human emotion. Plus, nominated for a grammy!

The Klezmatics have made a superb record here. I highly recommend this CD to anyone with an interest in Woody Guthrie's Jewish connections and inspirations. Fans of the Klezmatics will love it as well...

The combination of Woody Guthrie's words and the Klezmatics' music makes for a cd that is being heard over and over again in our house.

We love this CD! We bought one from Lisa Gutkin, one of the members of the Klezmatics, at a local gig, and then proceeded to buy a bunch more on Amazon to give as gifts to our friends. The album is *genius* and just won a Grammy! Congratulations to the Klezmatics and to Nora Guthrie for enabling this project to happen!

Interesting blend of Klezmer and a country approach.
I feel Woody would be very happy.