By definition, frailachs (or freylekhs) are lively dance tunes performed at festive occasions such as weddings. Such a simcha was celebrated on April 19, 2015, as part of the eighth annual Liverpool Public Library Folk Music Series, when Jonathan Dinkin & Klezmercuse performed more than a dozen tunes for a full house in attendance at the Carman Community Room.
Even if you missed that concert you can still enjoy it, because bandleader Jonathan Dinkin had the foresight to have the performance recorded live by of Hobin Studios engineer Brett Hobin, so now you can hear the frailachs ring out via compact disc.
The resulting CD, “Live in Liverpool,” showcases a dozen Dinkin originals such as the opener, “JD’s Frailach,” as well as “Upstate Winter Waltz,” “Yoni’s Hora” and “Mazel Tov Nigun” vocalized by his wife, Aveeya Dinkin. She also gave voice to the jazzy Yiddish love song “Bei Mir Bistu Shein.”
Aveeya’s unembellished vocals are always pleasing, and Jonathan’s piano comping rhythmically precise. Since this version of Klezmercuse lacked a drummer, the composer had to play the part of both pianist and percussionist — and he gamely rose to the occasion to make it work smoothly.
Several of the area’s best musicians accompany the Dinkins on the disc. Clarinetist Ken Frieden adds old world authenticity to the music by producing what he calls “shtetl strains” on his horn, and he’s featured on “Hot Orange,” his own colorful composition. “Hot Orange” celebrates Syracuse University, which employs Ken as its B.G. Rudolph Professor of Judaic Studies.
While Ken’s clarinet is especially effective, so is Bob Alexander’s accordion, Ethan Urtz’s trumpet and Ryan Zawel’s tuba and trombone. Hobin did a magnificent job of capturing the combo’s live energy and the music is sure to inspire dancing.
“Live in Liverpool” by Jonathan Dinkin & Klezmercuse is available for sale at CD Baby; store.cdbaby.com/cd/jonathandinkin3.
Jewish Kitchen tune
Dinkin also received some good news recently from Oysongs, a Jewish website which negotiated a license deal for an audio track of “Shalom Chaverim” off his earlier album “Naches.” A new website devoted to Jewish food called the Jewish Kitchen will busing the song as background for one of their short videos. “The owner of the Jewish Kitchen listened to the whole Oysongs catalogue,” Dinkin said, “and selected my tune to use.”
JoLee sings Carole King
Is there nothing the Romanos can’t do?
The paterfamilias, Joe Romano, is one of the village’s best carpenters as well as a sculptor, chef and winemaker. His son, Mario, is a gifted painter and art teacher, and Joe’s daughter, Retreat barmaid JoLee, sings like an archangel.
On Aug. 10, JoLee Romano stepped out from behind the bar at The Retreat patio and stepped up to the microphone to sings a version of Carole King’s 1972 hit “It’s Too Late” along with tunesmith Jamie Notarthomas. That same night, Jamie dedicated a rendition of “Both Sides Now” to the late Glen Campbell.
Last word
Congressmen should be required to wear uniforms like the ones worn by NASCAR drivers, so that we citizens can identify their corporate sponsors.
Contact the columnist at [email protected].
