“ Thank you for your gorgeous music! ”— Alison Bechdel
“Distinctive and pleasing interpretations of music featuring tunes from the Yiddish cinema. The blend of instrumental (such as the marvelous Bonia Shur’s Nigun & Cartagena Chosidl) and vocal (Circus Lullaby) numbers result in a sparkling listening experience.” — Gregg Shapiro, Out SFL
ISLE of KLEZBOS' latest album Yiddish Silver Screen / zilberner kino / זילבערנער קינאָ celebrates the band's silver anniversary, with new recordings, special guests and a plethora of finds from our archives.
It’s been 25 years since our band formed as the sister sextet spin off of NYC’s Metropolitan Klezmer. Both ensembles share in the Yiddish Silver Screen album's special focus of exploring and adapting Yiddish Cinema tunes from a startling array of lesser-known vintage soundtrack repertoire.
“Very enjoyable. Always great to hear Yiddish tango and the Mikhoels lullaby brought tears to my eyes.”— J. Hoberman
The Album
Our physical Yiddish Silver Screen CD comes in a beautiful six-panel illustrated gate-fold case, with cover art by Anya Ulinich and disc design by Lisa M. Kelsey. The eminently legible twenty-page booklet designed by Yiddish publications expert Yankl Salant fits smoothly into notched tube insert, complete with detailed descriptions as well as full lyrics for all vocal tracks including original Yiddish plus both transliteration and English translations.
Abi Gezunt: Molly's Cautionary Tale (album track 5) featuring vocalist Annie Cohen & Rachel Weston, trumpeter Pam Fleming, pianist Rachel Weston, double bassist Dave Hofstra & drummer/bandleader Eve Sicular; adapted from 1938 film Mamele (Little Mother) made famous by performer and lyricist Molly Picon & music by Abraham Ellstein.
Farlangen (album track 12) featuring guitar /dobro artist Natalia Zukerman (ASCAP) & vocalist Yelena Shmulenson is a song of yearning adapted from 1937 Yiddish film classic The Dybbuk, composed by Henokh Kon.
Unter Beymer (album track 2) featuring vocalist Missy Fogarty, clarinetist Debra Kreisberg, trumpeter Pam Fleming, pianist Shoko Nagai & double bassist Saskia Lane, & drummer/bandleader Eve Sicular; adapted from 1940 cinema masterpiece Overture to Glory by lyricist Moishe Oysher/composer Alexander Olshanetsky (Team ASCAP). Recorded live in concert, this all-time Yiddish favorite, Unter Beymer is a tragic lullaby melodically related to an aria from 19th c. Polish opera Halka.
Engineer David Merrill; and Producer & co-arranger Eve Sicular are also doubly honored.
Photo: Hank Gans Isle of Klezbos celebrated the band's Silver (25th) anniversary in concert for a full house at Joe's Pub (NYC's Public Theater), while launching their album Yiddish Silver Screen. Guest accordion virtuoso /pianist Ilya Shneyveys graced this special show.
