For those of us who are not experts in the field but truly enjoy traditional klezmer, this collection assembled the first Freilach volume on the Hataklit label is an eye opener. These are fairly modern practitioners of the music who are indeed well versed in the tradition. The artists included here are
Israel Zohar,
Giora Feidman,
Salomon Kelzmorim,
Di Gojim, and
Chanan Barsela. These modern readings of folk and ritual songs, like "Wedding Dance" by
Feidman, or the "Reb Duvidls Nigun," are full of soul, delight, melancholy, and joy. While artists such as
Frank London,
Andy Statman, and
Anthony Coleman are stretching klezmer to the margins. This collection reveals the life and breadth of the tradition in the modern world as it has been handed down for generations. Very worthwhile.