Margot Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys
2nd Avenue Square Dance
Traditional Crossroads (www.traditionalcrossroads.com)

"Electric Kugel"

The folk revival enlisted a generous share of young Jewish musical seekers, many of whom, sooner or later, discovered (or elaborated) a convergence between Appalachian music and the Eastern European string-band traditions of their forbears. 2nd Avenue Square Dance unites the myriad talents of clarinetist Margot Leverett and good ole mountain boys Joe Selly (guitar), Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin), Kenny Kosek (violin), and Marty Confurius (bass). They're joined by guests including singer Hazel Dickens (check her on "Little Moses"), Darol Anger (fiddle), Jorma Kaukonen (electric and acoustic guitars), Mike Marshall (mandolin), Hankus Netsky (piano), and Tony Trischka (banjo). Thus, the repertoire ranges from Eastern European (a breakneck "Boreasca" and a sweet, sad "Tumbalalaika") and New World klezmer (Sidney Beckerman's "Tsveyte Bulgar") to Brazilian choro (K-Ximbinho's poignant "Ternura"), from Bill Monroe ("Stoney Lonesome" and "Mississippi Waltz," rendered as never before) and Tex Logan (an eerie, lyrical "Come Along Jody") to the blues, with some originals as well (Leverett's "Farmer's Market" and "Geena's Dream"; Kosek's "Porges Waltz" and "Calgary Reel"). Leaping genre barriers and tall buildings with a single bound, this is riveting, forthright music for an unfinished Creole America that's been a long time in the making.-Michael Stone

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