Includes a 36-page booklet with complete biographical information and many historical photos.
Personnel: Dave Tarras (clarinet).
Audio Remasterers: Steven Smolian; Jack Towers; Richard Nevins.
Liner Note Author: Henry Sapoznik.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Abe Schwartz; Yiddish Swingtette; Dave Tarras; Michi Michalesco; Alexander Olshanetsky; Joseph Cherniavsky; Russkyj Orkestr 'Moskva'; Lou Lockett Orchestra; Yiddish Swing Orchestra; Florence Weiss; Moishe Oysher; Aaron Lebedeff; Abraham Ellstein; Seymour Rechtzeit; Bagelman Sisters; Boibriker Kapelle.
This much-welcome CD provides a capsule history of one of the most important American klezmer artists via a 36-page biography keyed to 78-rpm sides, radio transcriptions, and theatrical performances that zoom from cartoon soundtrack joy to delicate waltzes. Klezmer clarinetist Dave Tarras may not have taught Benny Goodman to swing, but his breakthrough style had a profound effect on American pop. Bandmate Ziggy Elman brought the Yiddish influence on jazz out into the open via Goodman's "And the Angels Sing," and where would the Andrew Sisters be without "Bay mir bistu sheyn?" Highly recommended. ~ Bob Tarte
Professional Reviews
Option (July-Aug./92, p.128) - "..exemplary Yiddish-American music...a vibrant history lesson that swings...The slightly scratchy recordings give this CD the warm ambience of old vinyl.."
