Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys: 2nd Avenue Square Dance
Traditional Crossroads
Somewhere in the black mining hills of Donetsk, a group of poor immigrants from Appalachia toils long days to bring the black rock to the surface. But at night, they grab their instruments and bring their American bluegrass, country gospel, jazz, and rock music to the town's dancehall, mixing it up with the local musicians' klezmer and folk traditions. At least, that's one possible explanation for the curious musical mix offered on the second album by Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys.
The songs are fun and varied with "High Lonesome Honga" and "Electric Kugel" brushing elbows with Bill Monroe's "Stoney Lonesome" and "Mississippi Waltz." The traditional country gospel tune "Little Moses" is played nearly straight, with just a touch of Leverett's klezmer clarinet. Her instrument is much more prominent elsewhere, and her crack team of collaborators makes this a strong album all around, and a great listen even if didn't know you were into Jewgrass music.
The band's website provides a few song samples: Kentucky Dance Medley
and Lonesome Moonlight Waltz/Volich from their previous self-titled album.
More on Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys:
website
youtube
myspace
Traditional Crossroads
Somewhere in the black mining hills of Donetsk, a group of poor immigrants from Appalachia toils long days to bring the black rock to the surface. But at night, they grab their instruments and bring their American bluegrass, country gospel, jazz, and rock music to the town's dancehall, mixing it up with the local musicians' klezmer and folk traditions. At least, that's one possible explanation for the curious musical mix offered on the second album by Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys.
The songs are fun and varied with "High Lonesome Honga" and "Electric Kugel" brushing elbows with Bill Monroe's "Stoney Lonesome" and "Mississippi Waltz." The traditional country gospel tune "Little Moses" is played nearly straight, with just a touch of Leverett's klezmer clarinet. Her instrument is much more prominent elsewhere, and her crack team of collaborators makes this a strong album all around, and a great listen even if didn't know you were into Jewgrass music.
The band's website provides a few song samples: Kentucky Dance Medley
and Lonesome Moonlight Waltz/Volich from their previous self-titled album.
More on Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys:
website
youtube
myspace
