I don’t want to get politic over music, but I do not like war, and I really hate this nationalistic tendency that’s picking up speed again over the world. No kind of racism, nationalism and war is good and excuseable, the only solution should be immediate communication and tolerance against every race, idea, gender, etc. That said I would really like to believe that there are both Israeli and Lebanese people who are against this war and want to live peacefully and in harmony and I believe that musicians should be on the forefront.

So today I want to write about 2 Klezmer bands which have been on my listening habits for some time. Balan: Book of Angels Vol.5 is the 4th release of The Cracow Klezmer Band on (guess what) Tzadik. Fifth volume from the second part of the Masada songbook by John Zorn displays incredible talent and magical moments and you can marvel at Jaroslaw Bester’s arrangements, at the musicianship and their ability to work together. Gloomier than most of the klezmer bands and very cinematique reminiscent of John Zorn’s Filmworks XVIII, Zuriel shows another side of Balkan music and klezmer, the sad and chaotic side of human history, with incredible accordeon and violin solos over a rolling rhythm section, and on Haniel with heartfelt vocals and even a bit of scat by Jorgos Skolias and an uptempo rhythm, you can dance the drunken tango with a gypsy lady.

Berlin’s Klezmeyers on the other hand is happier, it’s the weddings and the happy times, the green pastures and the small villages. Frontfrau (I’m still in Germany y’know) Franziska Orso leads this folky uptempo klezmer music with a soft silky clarinet accompanied by bass and guitar. It’s a bit poppy and easier to get into than their Cracow counterparts’ album but it’s not as rewarding for the sophisticated music lovers out there IMHO. But I’m sure if you listen to the songs a few times, you might not be caring about sophistication and dancing your ass off with imaginary oompa loompas in your room.