Musical innovation
Drummer Aaron Alexander's Midrash Mish
Mosh has chutzpah. The CD is produced on John Zorn's Tzadik label, and
amazing skills shine through from each talented musician, including
such hall-of-famers as trumpeter Frank London. The most exciting aspect
of this album is, of course, Alexander's drumming. It's not just the
rhythms that change expertly from style to style within an instant;
it's the sound of those sticks beating down, forcing you to acknowledge
the powerful place they hold in this music.
The fact that almost all of the tunes' titles are in Yiddish, and that
they describe some familiar traditional forms, is deceptive. If you're
looking for good old-fashioned klezmer, you'll have to unwrap layers
upon layers of musical innovation. "Khosidl for the Mixed Marriage,"
for example, is about as deeply saturated with irony as you can get.
A personally pertinent subject to composer Alexander, "Khosidl"
is an exquisitely played slow Jewish wedding dance with such surprising
elements as rhythmic hiccups and short, wailing electric guitar solos.
For more information on Midrash Mish Mosh, go to www.aaronalexander.com.
The CD can be ordered from www.tzadik.com, under the category of Radical
Jewish Culture. (Seriously.)
Kyra Folk-Farber, a recent music degree recipient, is now working locally
as a singer and freelance writer.