Sidney Bechet meets Naftule Brandwein
Allan MacInnis | Vancouver | 02/25/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This recording actually came about through Krakauer's contemplations of what a meeting between Bechet and Brandwein would be like, and features a Bechet cover, "Okey Doke." As a clarinetist and composer, Krakauer is much more "in the tradition" of klezmer than labelmate Ben Goldberg (of the New Klezmer Trio), recording manic, playful, and intense tunes that are IMMEDIATELY recognizable as klezmer; but he does bring new things to tradition, like guest electronics, on this disc, from Ben Neill, or the raunchy electric guitarwork on "Alt(dot)Klezmer" by Adam Rogers. Fans of traditional klezmer and people interested in Zorn's Masada or the New Klezmer Trio will be equally pleased, methinks. Not one you'll listen to everyday, but nothing you'll regret having around, either."