Voice of Joy, by Kol Simcha

Voice of Joy

by Kol Simcha

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1.	Zipor 03:12	buy track
2.	Shpiel Es 04:42	buy track
3.	Nigun 02:44	buy track
4.	Hip Hip Hora 03:11	buy track
5.	Why 09:08	buy track
6.	USAKS0601051 - Everybodys Freilach 03:10	buy track
7.	Folk Song 03:26	buy track
8.	Negev 06:08	buy track
9.	Long Live the Nigun 05:28	buy track
10.	Josefs Freilach 02:03	buy track
11.	Dybbuk 03:24	buy track
12.	Lullabye 04:22	buy track
13.	Sher 02:41	buy track
14.	Tarras Freilach 03:29	buy track
15.	Shir Hamaalot 01:26	buy track

about

Kol Simcha brings klezmer's most vital and relevant qualities to an artistic level that speaks eloquently to all people about what it means to be fully human.

Kol Simcha means "Voice of Joy". After years of playing together, these five Swiss musicians breathe, cry and dance as one. Most compositions are original, but they include many traditional gems from over a century of Klezmer music, rearranged for the '90s. Already one of the great bands in contemporary klezmer music, Kol Simcha's style appeals to listeners far beyond its Eastern European folk roots. The five man Swiss ensemble adds a supertight rhythm section of acoustic bass, drums, and piano to the traditional klezmer clarinet and flute, giving a well-worn form of Jewish vernacular music the refinement and sophistication of jazz - without losing any of the music's passion and good fun. From the wildly joyous to the exotically dark, deep, and sad, Kol Simcha celebrates life in all its glorious extremes.

Klezmer, a rollicking party music that has been likened to Yiddish Zydeco, is currently enjoying a big revival. Yet unlike some contemporary klezmer bands which have adopted a zany ethnic image, the members of Kol Simcha are hip and worldly in their approach. They've even ditched the traditional accordion, further updating their sound. This is polished, acoustic world music that could just as easily find its way into the jazz bins.

The ensemble playing is certainly tight and exciting enough to satisfy fans of rigorous, soaring improvisations, without losing people who crave music that just plain feels good. While some critics have compared contemporary klezmer music to Dixieland, Kol Simcha seems more influenced by the cool jazz of Miles Davis, the ecstasy and tenderness of John Coltrane, the refinement of Wynton Marsalis, the heat of Zydeco's Queen Ida, and the revelry of a rockin' cajun group like Beausoleil.

The name of the group (pronounced coal-SIM-ka) couldn't be more appropriate. In Hebrew, kol means "voice," and simcha refers to a joyous occasion, a party or celebration. Many of the tunes on the group's debut for World Class Records do indeed invite you to get up and dance yourself into a frenzy.

Like any great party band, however, Kol Simcha knows when - and how - to slow things down. Several ballads on the album feed the soul even as they bring tears to the eyes. The band succeeds in enhancing the most poignant overtones of its roots, taking klezmer beyond its longstanding status as bittersweet, ironic celebration music for an oppressed ethnic group.

Kol Simcha brings klezmer's most vital and relevant qualities to an artistic level that speaks eloquently to all people about what it means to be fully human.

credits

released February 15, 1994

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Hearts of Space Records New York, New York

Hearts of Space Records | A Valley Entertainment Label

Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space. Centered around contemplative music, the label features music from the ambient, new age, electronic, world, Celtic, classical, and experimental genres. ... more

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