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Oy to the World - a Klezmer Christmas

The Klezmonauts

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Album Review

An odd coalition of music in theory, but with beautiful execution. The Klezmonauts, a somewhat avant-garde (at times) klezmer group in their own right, have taken it upon themselves on this album to rework a number of Christmas songs (here's where the theory gets sticky — klezmer is traditional Jewish music). On top of the obvious discrepancy in religion of the music, other bits are thrown in from time to time: surf guitar helps power through "Little Drummer Boy," a bit of Ennio Morricone's spaghetti western in "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," Gershwin in "Jingle Bells," and Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" in "Good King Wenceslas." The vigor of klezmer actually works exceptionally well for the music (at least the selections that they decided to pursue). One original work also appears, co-written by Mark Pierce and Paul Libman, the group leader: "Santa Gey Gezunderheit." The instrumentation of the klezmer group works well for the music, as does the ability of the performers. The music is jumping inordinately, and that's a good thing for the case. It's traditional Christmas music that forces the listener to tap their feet. Pick it up as a fan of klezmer or as one of the innumerable Christmas albums available, but make sure to pick it up.

Customer Reviews

Oy, my aching sides!

Ah, Christmas music. It's been rocked, rolled, swinged, switched-on, bluesed, jazzed, (Mannheim) Steamrollered, Top-Fortied and Elvised within an inch of a fruitcake's life and still comes back for more. What could possibly be left after The New Christy Minstrels and the Ray Conniff Singers have had their turn at the Wassail bowl? Enter The Klezmonauts with the answer: "OY to the World! A Klezmer Christmas." Yeah, you hoid, uh, heard me right. Klezmer, the Jewish take on the free-form instrumentation of Dixieland with a flavor that's distinctively Kosher, not Cajun. Paul Libman heads up a band of not-so-meshuga merry makers who pull it all together with charm and an appropriately light touch. The Klezmonauts include a few names better known for their appearances on other Christmas and non-seasonal CDs, like Mannheim Steamroller violinist Arnie Roth. Does Chip Davis know about this? Lest you think the CD is just Christmas carols with a few hyperkinetic clarinet riffs, a violin, an accordion and a drummer, The Klezmonauts throw in a few surprises, like a mini tribute to Dick Dale and his surf guitar, a few bars from the theme to "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and an original tune about Saint Nick called "Santa Gey Gezunderheit (Santa, Go in Good Health)". I won't tell you where they pop up. Just keep an ear peeled and DON'T sip egg nog while listening. You might spray everyone else in the room. At barely 29 minutes in length, the CD might seem short but Paul Libman knows when to leave 'em wanting more. Maybe he will or maybe he won't record a sequel to this 1998 release but like a favorite movie you've bought on DVD, "OY to the World!" contains moments you anticipate in repeated listenings. For a free sample, visit oytotheworld.com and download the complete MP3 recording of "Joy to the World". And while you're there, order the CD for yourself and for friends. Shades of Mannheim Steamroller's first Christmas CD, "OY to the World!" ends with a performance of "Away in a Manger" that at first seems out of place after all that frivolity but only reminds us that every type of music offers the same range of emotion, from silly and slapstick to tender and touching. Oy, what a season!

One of the funniest Christmas recordings ever

I found this recording a few years ago in an after-Christmas sale (I can get it for you wholesale!) and I have worn it out every Christmas since then. Arranged and played by some of Chicago's ace studio musicians, OY TO THE WORLD takes familiar carols and plays them like a slightly twisted Jewish Klezmer wedding band. Other tunes and styles make brief cameo appearances that are always good for a laugh. You'll be amazed at how the most familiar carol tunes sound when transposed into minor mode with a wailing clarinet and a fiddler fresh off the roof. (The fiddler, incidentally, is Arnie Roth, who played on most of the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CDs.) It's all done with such good musicianship, and obvious relish, that it all seems very natural and not at all offensive to those (like me) who really love these songs. Bring a little "OY" into your holiday this year.

Holiday music everyone can enjoy!

There's an incredible wealth of talent on this album. I haven't been this impressed with a new album, of any genre, in a very long time. This album is definitely a sparkling pool in the desert.

The way original melodies of the songs weave over and under themselves as they are transposed into klezmer-esque tones is a marvel to the ear. The musicians are A1, and their sound is tight. And it's all in good fun, too.

It must be said that the arrangement of "Away in the Manger" is about one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. It's like it should have always been that way!

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