"Recent Klezmer recordings often fall into two camps; those that are nostalgic tributes that add nothing "new," and those that are so "new" they touch the cerebellum but not the soul. Happily, the Garden of Yidn is among those that celebrate the traditional melodies while also imbuing them with gutsy hipness. Strom and fellow instrumentalists imbue each song with personality and joie de vivre, and the group's contralto is warm and easy on the ears. What a pleasure."
Soulful music
01/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is the music of my grandparents. it is beautifully rendered and moving. the vocals are rich and the music has an irresistible beat."
Melody and Flavor
Melna | Los Angeles, CA | 02/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album has 'tam' (the yiddish word word for flavor). The melodies are gorgeous and the singing by Elizabeth Schwartz is heavenly. Her voice moves me when I listen to it. Perfection is achieved as the melodic music weaves around her voice. I have played this CD over and over and it never gets boring. I particularly loved Finf Un Tzvankziker and the original take on the Sheva B'Rachot. This should be the new standard at Jewish weddings. There isn't a loser on the whole album."
Avant Garde Klezmer that I can listen to
Melna | 02/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a recent convert to klezmer and newer Jewish music, I have been devouring much of the recordings out there, including others by Yale Strom. His other newish and Jewish cd, "Tales Our Fathers Sang" features all new compositions, and he demonstrates a great facility to create new music within traditional guidelines. Garden of Yidn features new tunes as well as traditional ones in new and interesting arrangements. The overall result is fresh and new -- avant garde while being eminently listenable to. A final word about the last song, "Doyna Tirgu Frumos" - the guest artist is internationally acclaimed pan flute player Damian Draghici. His music weaves around Elizabeth Schwartz's beautiful voice. What a pairing! I cannot stop playing that song."