Shtreiml: Spicy Paprikash

Shtreiml?s sophomore effort is a deliciously seasoned stew that combines blues/rock arrangements of klezmer standards with newly composed music that hearkens back to traditional styles. Partaking in this enjoyable mix, you quickly realize that the main ingredient in each serving is a healthy dose of fun. The addition of brass, cimbalom and some kishka circuit Hammond B3 to the standard Shtreiml lineup, fronted by Jason Rosenblatt?s hot Hebrew Hohner harpin?, does much to expand the band?s bluesy take on klezmer.

They cut loose on ?Galitzianer Tantz,? with its Bo Diddley beat hurtling Rosenblatt?s harp and Josh Dolgin?s accordion forward to turn the Shloimke Beckerman classic into a fiery blues rocker. It is in these surroundings that Shtreiml excels, as they bring a hard edge to time-honored tunes. The whimsical ?Halevai? is a fun filled romp as the trumpet and vocals of Susan Watts cross with Dolgin?s scat singing; while ?Nign? has Rosenblatt using his diatonic to express both the sorrow and joy inherent in its musical phrases.

Rachel Lemisch adds her trombone?s tasteful tone to a reworking of the Mickey Katz classic ?Trombonic Tantz.? This offering also features Madelien Verheij's swing violin calling forth the ghost of Stephane Grappelli, before Ariel Harrod?s bass moves it into a club arrangement emceed by Dolgin. "Rachel's Hora" again has Lemisch front and center adding beautiful coloration to her own special dance. Nicolae Margineanu plays an upbeat cimbalom on the title track that sets up some interesting harmonica harmonics before he reels off a country banjo opener, a la Earl Scruggs, on ?Gas Nign? to turn it into a Jewgrass hoe down.

?Hora Ca Din Caval? moves to breakneck speed as accordion, harp and cimbalom rev it up and ?Romanian Sirba? is a forum for some harmonica pyrotechnics that play off Dolgin?s electric piano repartee. So come on, eat, dance, party and delight in this tasty musical treat.