I feel lucky when I buy an album or CD that has one, maybe two exceptional
tracks. Often I'm not even that lucky. So it's a particular joy for me when I
get totally blown away by an entire album.
The Lithuanian Empire's debut CD, 'The Lithuanian Empire', has
managed to keep things fresh, interesting, and engaging, line after line,
section after section, song after song, making it totally impossible to become
bored. The arrangements are sophisticated and mature. The band tips its hat to the past but it's apparent that these folks
are firmly rooted in contemporary influences. One is reminded of Frank London's Klezmer Brass All Stars and the Klez Dispensers. While those
influences are apparent they never become subsuming. The
Lithuanian Empire's debut is spiritually moving and leaves you wanting more.
Kinneret Sagee: clarinet
Becky Wexler: clarinet
Lorie Wolf: drums and percussion
Ryan Purchase: trombone
Fern Lindzon: piano, keyboard
Andy John: bass, guitar, harmonica, electric sitar
Eva Boodman: trumpet
Randel Pierce: accordian, piano
Due to be released Oct 16, 2007, Just Say Nu is a cross between Henry
Beard's Latin for All Occasions and Ben Schott's Schott's Original
Miscellany.
The book is a practical guide to using Yiddish words and expressions in
day-to-day situations. Along with enough grammar to enable readers to put
together a comprehensible sentence and avoid embarrassing mistakes, Wex also
explains the five most useful Yiddish words –
shoyn,
nu, epes, takeh, and
nebakh – what they mean, how and when to use them, and how they can be used to
conduct an entire conversation without anybody ever suspecting
that the reader doesn’t have the
vaguest idea of what
anyone is actually saying.
Readers will learn how to shmooze their way through such activities as
meeting and greeting; eating and drinking; praising and finding fault;
maintaining personal hygiene; going to the doctor; driving; parenting; getting
horoscopes; committing crimes; going to singles bars; having sex; talking
politics and talking trash.
