Cafe Jew Zoo

Yale Strom w. Hot Pstromi & Klazzj:‘Café Jew Zoo’Naxos, 2003
An attempt to establish the MiddleEastern roots of Klezmer and then explore the
possibilities afforded w/in the genre. Strom has written new Yiddish poetry
to reflect his “own sense of social, political, and spiritual values and concerns”.
Lyrics in the booklet are in Yiddish and English, plus expositions of the rationale
of each track. No musicians credited by name, guess we’re sposed to know who’s
in the bands.
Faves: 1,2,4,6,7,8, 13 (Dr D 07-04)

(Track titles and times on back label)
1..Med, vocal; Soviet propaganda to promote settlement and funding in Birobidzhan-“the world’s
first secular, Yiddish, communist homeland for the Jews,” predating Israel by 20+ years
2. Med, guitar solo. A Romanian dance, written for the Caval, here transcribed for classical guit
3.Fast, 9/8 rhythm (karshlama in Turkish) explores the Ottoman influence on Romanian klez
4.Med, Trad Hasid melody from Belarus (Russia), Good doubling w. clarinets
5.Slow, vocal beginning, picks up speed on instrumental break, then back to slow again
6. Med, Romanian melody expanded from 8 bars remembered by old-timer Berko Gott.
7.Med vocal, Strom’s melodic reaction to ‘being on display’ as a practicing Jew.
8. Slow, guit solo, a contemplative meditation for morning prayers
9.Med fast, a poem about a foolish man whom nevertheless is regarded with affection
10. Med fast, violin-clarinet in a swirling interchange meant to portray two in prayer
11.Slow, then gets faster; full orchestration incl vocal “full of pomp and military bombast”
12. Med, mandolin solo, a journey along the river Amur to Birobidzhan, the new homeland
13. Med fast, wild instruments and vocal recite the modern 10 Plagues in pop song form