The Klezmer Conservatory Band: Hankus Netsky (director, alto saxophone, accordion, piano); Jeff Warschauer (vocals, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo); Judy Bresller (vocals); Deborah Strauss (violin, background vocals); Robin Miller (flute, piccolo); Ilene Stahl (clarinet); Mark Berney (trumpet, cornet); Mark Hamilton (trombone); James Guttman (bass); Grant Smith (drums, percussion).
Recorded at Blue Jay Studios, Carlisle, Massachusetts.
The Klezmer Conservatory Band had been going for well over two decades, but they show no sign of running out of steam or ideas on A Taste of Paradise. By hewing close to the deep heart of klezmer music they often find its core, whether that's in joy (as on "Dem Zeydn's Tants") or an aching melancholy. There's no doubt that they love their past, and in history they find much to bring them pleasure, be it in old music or song. But while they don't push the boundaries of klezmer music as much as some others in the genre, they still do a little nudging at barriers, as on "Bessarabian Breakdown." Mostly, though, as on all their albums, this is a celebration of klezmer and its place in the Jewish soul -- although that soul doesn't have to be religion-based to enjoy this beautiful noise. They're definitely a big band, able to generate a lot of noise when they want, but also scale back to material like "Sabbath Prayer." They continue to grow, not only musically, but also in stature; these days they're simply one of the best. ~ Chris Nickson
