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Friday, April 25, 2008

A Critique and A Heads Up

OK--this is not Tevye it is the late Shlomo Carlebach aka the ordained Rabbinical Jewish Rock Star. I made that up.



On May 4 on SUNDAY SIMCHA you will be regaled with comments and music from a wonderful new musical now playing a limited run--SHLOMO THE MUSICAL-- at the Museum of The Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan (in a setting that boggles the mind). It is also fitting that at this point it is being performed in a limited engagement at this venue which is in sight distance of Ellis Island. More on that later.


I have the distinct honor of having Daniel Wise, writer and producer of this work on TABLETALK with me on May 11 where we speak of this terrific piece of work and also on SUNDAY SIMCHA May 4 with some music from the show.


While this is a limited engagement at the Museum (after many successful presentations at various venues--Folksbiene among them) a Broadway production is planned in the autumn of this year.


My radio program(s) cannot possibly encompass the program and what one can get from it visually. It behooves me, then, to try to mention and describe some of the visual things that make this an "event" one would not want to miss. Note I said programs. Reb Carlbach encompasses both the Jewish tradition and the folk and music of peace you all know I have featured many times on all programs---from Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Phil Ochs--to Rabbi Kligler and Kim and Reggie Harris---and NOW the music of Shlomo Carlbach as done by him (later) and by members of this brilliant cast.

Without giving much away I have to relate a great bit of business from the show. An agent who represents, among others Peter, Paul, and Mary approaches Carlbach to offer him his services by telling him that he represents PP&M---Carlbach replies that he is sure that is good but that he, Shlomo, is not well versed in the new testament.


The interviews you will hear if you tune in to the programs mentioned before will be with Daniel Wise--book/producer--of


SHLOMO THE MUSICAL.


Putting on my "reviewers" hat now I can tell you that this past day I went down to this wonderful venue and viewed a show I thought might be interesting but not more than that. There I was, once again, wrong. Not to compare shows but to give you an idea of the quality---think Fiddler on The Roof combined with Al Jolson as the Jazz Singer.


Do you like Gospel Music? I do. Do you like Jewish liturgical music with a beat? I do. This show has it all---let us say Jewish Gospel and also the Nina Simone connection.


Dance. You cannot want more. Talisim used as both, Talisim, Flags, Shawls, Color, you name it.


Is there a fault? Sure. My only problem was ---sitting close--realizing that some of the "male"dancers were women with fake beards--who doubled as the female congregants. They were good but the sad fate of sitting too close is seeing that blemish. You won't notice it after Row J.

The performers were an amazing group of Tony nominated artists and I just want to single out 2 here---even though the entire cast is laudable:


Thursday Farrar who played the part of Nina Simone.. Yes, Shlomo Carlbach was a compatriot of Nina Simone prior to her rise to fame and rose to fame along with her. Ms. Farrar brings a great gospel sound to the show---though a bit miscast in an early scene with "Chassidic" hat.


David Rossmer as Shlomo---you can believe me he does not look like that in the show---look at the top and you have him as Shlomo. Having appeared in many productions, he has also been on Law & Order SVU--and who has not. An industry unto itself.

At this point I just want to add the name of one other performer because, while I cannot mention them all I single her out for her involvement with the works of Eliz. Swados ( my guest on TABLETALK--and how it started years back). That would be Josie Di Guzman (mother) who created the character she portrayed years ago in Swados' RUNAWAYS and now does a brilliant piece of work as Shlomo's mother.

If you can see this show prior to its ending of the limited run on May 9 I believe you will be delighted. Hopefully, a Bway run is planned for late fall.

A few sidelights now regarding some personal observations and---call it an essay. I do hope you speak Yiddish---I will translate the end.










ELLIS ISLAND


How fortuitous that SHLOMO,THE MUSICAL is being performed just across the street.


The other day I had the pleasure of spending the day with my daughter and grandchildren going to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (more interesting---enough said) after enduring the over 2 hour wait (normal procedure) to view these wonderful historical sites.

My compliments to the Park Service, the Boat operators, and all involved with the operation for their patience and courtesy---that includes the most pleasant security screeners (who really are efficient)you meet prior to embarking for the Statue. WOW---Embarkation. Seems like my embarking for the USA those many moons ago went faster.

So, a few brief thoughts. The statue was, as always, an impressive sight which, now, one cannot really enter anymore. Ellis Island, to me, more interesting with the great renovation and historical presentations offered.


Now a tale of something that has "bugged" me since being there---and which, to some extent, SHLOMO, The Musical addresses. Follow this shortened story:



Ellis Island. 4 PM Film on the history of immigration to the USA. Doors Close
4:10 Knock on the Door to Auditorium
4:12 Pounding on Door
4:15 Viewer of film opens door and in stream some 30 or so Hasidim. Lights go on. Seats grabbed and people stepped on.
4:20 I say--Turn off the lights --the show started 2omin. ago.
4:20 (response) We don't care--we want to see it--its a free country.
4:21: (me) Since I am Jewish you will understand this---"it is free no thanks to you---you are "grob Yidn" and should be ashamed of yourselves".
4:22 I and my family left.

The thought here is twofold---the Ranger Service should not leave the theater unattended --they do a really great job in all other areas. The other thought is that this is exactly the kind of situation that brings about the generalizations that lead to bigotry. Black or White. Jew or Gentile. I am sure, hopefully, that these boorish representations of Hassidism are not the norm.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

ARTISTS, PERFORMANCES, AND THE GOVERNMENT.


As we all know we are living in a different world since September 11, 2001 ---let us forget this 9/11 code word. Slogans relegate things to dustbin of history---Remember The Alamo, 54/40 or fight, Remember the Maine, etc; Say it in its entirety and we will keep in our minds in a more meaningful manner. Which brings me to what this is all about.

So many rules in this nation have changed. One has to question the constitutionality of some and also wonder if, perhaps, we are involved in overkill in others. Here I speak specifically about the visas required of performers to perform in our country---a country that has for some time believed in cultural exchanges. Think ping pong if you will. Think ballet, symphony orchestras to N Korea, Russian Folk Dancers, and more if you will.

Today I find that Eric Bogle will not be returning---ever---to tour in this country. He will be doing a farewell tour in Canada since their visa restrictions for known artists are less draconian than ours.



Sort of a symbolical shot---think you not? Below you will find the comments regarding the reasons he will not be returning. Granted, his age is a factor in stopping long tours but, as he says, he had thought this year would have been his farewell U S Tour---turns out it was the last one.

Basically, no longer can his agent request and receive a visa for him. He now needs an attorney and many other expenses and no guarantee the visa will be approved. Canada does not have this stricture so his farewell tour of Canada is not cancelled. You can read his comments below.

My thoughts go to wondering how many artists will we be deprived of seeing and hearing because they cannot and, frankly, should not have to go to the expense and red tape to come to this country. Illegal immigration seems an easier thing to pursue than legitimate performers going through the visa process due to the Xenophobia that this administration has foisted on the public. The results are, of course, a return to the insularity and closing of cultural interchange that has benefited all sides for many years.

Please read Eric Bogle's own comments on the subject from his web-site ---but an excerpt is below:



I’ve received quite a few e-mails from folks in the USA asking me when I’ll be touring there again. Well, unfortunately, the answer is probably never. And not because I don’t want to, I hasten to add. I’ve enjoyed every tour I’ve ever done there. But changes by the INS service in America have made it extremely difficult and expensive for musicians at my level to obtain a work visa. Previously my agent in America could apply for a visa on my behalf, and to date the visa was always granted. Now, however, to obtain a visa I have to go through a visa attorney or a visa processing firm, my agent can’t apply on my behalf any longer. This option is very expensive, and with no guarantee that a visa would be granted. Also, the U.S. Congress has slashed the number of H1 visas to be issued every year, and now unless you apply well over a year in advance of any proposed tours, your chances are virtually nil. It’s all too hard now, too much hassle, so that’s that I’m afraid. I had hoped to do my (probably) farewell tour of the USA this year, but itlooks like I actually did it in 2005. I blame Osama Bin Laden mostly........and George of course.
However, Canada still has reasonable requirements as far as work visas are concerned, so John and I are still heading over there in November/December to do a tour with John McDermott.


So, there you have it. Dubya would have one believe that unless you agree with his policies and directives the, as he says, terrorists win. One has to wonder.

For the history questionnaire now---can anyone name a more damaging president for this nation in all its history? Question two---does brush clearing on a non- working ranch that is a summer home count as being a great outdoors man---or hype as one? Question three---How does one reconcile the thrill of fighting in Iraq (as he has done for his misguided war) with avoiding Viet Nam. Probably best to ask his VP.

On another note now---SUNDAY SIMCHA for April 27. While it is the end of Passover it is also a few days before Yom Hashoah (5/1) We end Passover with some wonderful pieces by Kim/Reggie Harris, Rabbi Johnathon Kligler, Pete Seeger and a cast of---well, not thousands. Then---you do not want to miss this---a a 13 minute description of Buchenwald by, arguably, the greatest news-person of this or any century---EDWARD R. MURROW in a rare recording of this sad and yet so poignantly described event.

Where else but on WFDU will you find this kind of material?

And so we leave this commentary with a shot of the lady who used to welcome people here---including myself.

Perhaps that time will return once we all find a mature way of dealing with each other---which many writers, singers, artists, and dramatists try to tell us about. It was easier for them to communicate these sentiments prior to the insularity that this administration has foisted on us in the name of national security---a national security they have put in jeopardy with the misguided (to put it kindly) policies of the past 8 years---with Iraq at the top of the list.

PLAYLIST SUNDAY SIMCHA APRIL 20, 2008

Usually you will find this on the PLAYLISTS PAGE. Due to a technical glitch the playlist is here for this day.

Any comments, queries, requests, and general kvetching please e mail sundaysimcha@yahoo.com

Today's program was our Passover Program to a great extent.

In the putting a face with the voice department:
















MARIA KRUPOVES





















ARTIST/
PIECE/
ALBUM/
LABEL/



MARGOT LEVERETT & THE KLEZMER MTN. BOYS
A Redl & A Volich (Theme)
Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mtn. Boys
http://www.margotleverett.com/

JOY KATZEN GUTHRIE
Narration--Passover
Seasons of Joy
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/

JOY KATZEN GUTHRIE
Adir Hu
Seasons of Joy
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/

BENJAMIN LAPIDUS
Las Cuatro Preguntas
Herencia Judia
http://www.treseroproductions.com/

ALAN EDER &FRIENDS
Ma Nishtanah
Reggae Passover
reggaepas@aol.com

JOY KATZEN GUTHRIE
Ma Nishtanah
Seasons of Joy
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/

UNKNOWN
Ma Nishtanah
Jewish Israeli Holiday Songs
http://www.musicfromisrael.com/

ALAN EDER & FRIENDS
Dayenu
Reggae Passover
reggaepas@aol.com

BENJAMIN LAPIDUS
Dayenu
Herencia Judia
http://www.treseroproductions.com/

JOY KATZEN GUTHRIE
Dayenu
Seasons of Joy
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/

JOY KATZEN GUTHRIE
Narration/Chad Gad Ya
Seasons of Joy
http://www.joyfulnoise.net/

UNKNOWN
Simcha Rabba
Jewish Isaeli Folk Songs
http://www.musicfromisrael.com/

UNKNOWN
Betseit Yisroel Mi'Mitzrayim
Jewish Isaeli Folk Songs
http://www.musicfromisrael.com/

ALLAN SHERMAN
Camp Granada Revisited
45 single
WB

ALLAN SHERMAN
The Ballad of Harry Lewis
My Son The Folk Singer
WB

MICKEY KATZ
16 Tons
Greatest Shticks
Koch

MARIA KRUPOVES
Ofn Veg Shteyt A Boym
Two Faiths One Voice
http://www.sefaredrecords.com/

GERARD EDERY / MARIA KROPOVES
Los Guisados de Berenjenas
Two Faiths One Voice
http://www.sefaredrecords.com/

MARIA KRUPOVES
Luys Zavart
Two Faiths One Voice
http://www.sefaredrecords.com/

GERARD EDERY / MARIA KROPOVES
Adir Hu
Two Faiths One Voice
http://www.sefaredrecords.com/