Folk N o t e s ............... December 1999 The Official Newsletter of the Israel FolkStuff Society

Latest issue is also available at: www.oocities.org/tzorafolk and www.galilan.com/ ~folkster

Contents - 4th A.A.C.I. English Song Contest -

Dave Rovics - Marc Miller -I Came For The Music - Southern Jam - Square Dance Evening

The A.A.C.I. Song Contest is not only Folk Music -- but because so many Folkies

entered the contest, placed, and attended the Finals in Beer Sheva -- it is fitting that we report the goings-on.

Linda Kanpol, the 1998 winner, began the evening with her winning song, "Loving You More," followed by Roby's own "There'll Be Music."

The first finalist was Matthyu Simply, who sang with Annie Bakalu "Daddy's Farm," a gentle and poignant memory of his youth.

We were then treated to the slightly heavier feel of Ziva Hadar's "Next," which received one of the two Encouragement Awards.

Third up were Judith Paul-Litoff and Rahel Jaskow who gave a sensitive rendition of Mindy Kornberg's "Echoes of Memories," which took Second Place in the audience vote, and was awarded Third Place by the judges.

It was then the turn of IFS stalwart Larry Gamliel on synthesizer, who backed Marcie Schreier's tender vocals in his original "Fools that Care," earning Fourth Place in the judges' vote . We continued with "Absolute Truth

Blues," an interestingly titled essay written and performed by Michal Rogson. Next, Dmitry Greenberg softly sang his love song, "Waiting in the Rain," which received Second Place from the judges.

Tzora's dynamic duo, Judi & Lynn Lewis then showed their musical skills, as

Judi sang the delightful "Seasons of Love," written by Judi and her mother, Evelyn Chenkin. Then David Kenner sang of his grandmother's day in "Little Eagle."

Next, Sylvia Ber graced us with her olden- days' style "When You Say It's Over." Even at 72, she had the folks in the audience begging for more. She was the audience's Favorite as well as receiving the judges' First Place Award. Sylvia, unquestionably a worthy winner, handled her instant fame with grace. Her most beautiful and natural of reactions endeared her tenfold to all those present.

Finally, 16-year old Sivan Davidovits sang her own song "Trust," which received Third Place in the audience vote and the second of the two Encouragement Awards.

Sandy Cash rounded out the evening, filling in at the 11^th hour for Chuck Brodsky who had been taken ill, and mesmerized the audience with her warmth and professionalism.

The judges: Linda Kanpol, Gail Greene, Bruce Brill, Betty Maoz and Ross Peters were asked to judge each song on the basis of its originality, structure and lyrics, as well as the live performance.

The first prize, presented by the Australian

Ambassador Ian Wilcock, included recor- ding time at Creative Audio in Jerusalem; two tickets to Turkey, presented by the managers of Turkish Airlines, Rivka Levy & Eden Kinayyigit, and a beautiful inscribed trophy donated by the Southern Region of the AACI. Other dignitaries in attendance included Beer Sheva Deputy Mayor Rubik Danilovitch, and Sima Bada, Southern Region co-ordinator of the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption. As always, I would like to thank IFS for their support.

--Roby Shmerling, (Competition Organizer)

At rehearsal time I realised that all of the songs were of a very high standard, both lyrically and musically, and I was excited to be sharing the stage with artists of such high calibre. The fact is that every song performed deserved a prize. How the judges came to

any decision is beyond my comprehension.

I was amongst friends backstage with people who are regulars at the Tzora Folk Club, and we gave each other commendations and encou- ragement. I was also delighted to meet new people and make new friends from amongst the contestants.

Song contests are a part of our culture but we also have other ways of promoting and encouraging local talent. The various Folk

Clubs around the country provide a stage for singer/songwriters to perform -- and audience reaction is the judge of their talent. So come out of the closet all you budding songwriters

and make yourselves known at the Folk Clubs. We'd all love to hear what you have to offer.

--Judi Lewis (organizer of The Tzora Folk Club)

He is big. He towers over me, and I'm no Tom Thumb. He has a booming deep voice which resonates all over the place. He says

he is particularly ugly, and both he and I are lucky I can't see him. (I am told by an objective source that this is simply not true.) He talks nice and slow, just the way a

rambling man should. And besides all that, he is as sharp as a nail. He is economic director of Kibbutz Afik and chairman of the board of directors of Hammat Gader. and I am sitting with him in a Jerusalem restaurant as he takes a lunch break during a hectic business trip away from home.

Marc immigrated to Israel at the end of the Sixties, not entirely to the satisfaction of his family. He has seen the scene for a while, observing and participating. Indeed, that is what he has been doing all his life.

He was

raised on Long Island. As a child he followed a fairly common practice and listened to the radio in the dead of night, spinning the dial to see what

he could find. He found all kinds of gospel and blues stations from way down south. He listened, he learned and he began to play. He followed the musical trends of the Sixties, again listening and learning. But he always had a soft spot for down-home blues and acoustic stuff. Now mind you, he is not at all opposed to electric guitars. He uses them in his performances. But the special allure of the acoustic has stayed with him over the years.

Marc hung out in the Village for a time, meeting and playing with a variety of mostly folk musicians, among whom he particularly remembers Richie Havens. He continued to do the same after immigrating to Israel and while raising a family. Of course things were simpler then, as is the way of the world. Jacob's Ladder was small and intimate, like a big family. As we all know, in the interim, it burst its banks. But Marc isn't one to pine for the good old days. He was on the day stage at this year's festival. On the surface, his singing and playing seem, well, rambling, in every sense of the term. But it doesn't take long before you notice that it is all very carefully contrived. He knows his songs and his guitar playing. Maybe it "falls" into place, but it turns out to be crafted and all together. And what an eclectic score! Every- thing and anything from Muddy Waters to Sting, all done in that acoustic rambling-man style.

I am not sure how well known Marc Miller may be known down below the Petach Tikva line, purely for geographic reasons. He has a CD which is now out, which should help. If you have the chance to take in a performance of his, do not pass it up. Marc Miller is one of a kind.

--Larry Gamliel

. October's featured artists at Karmiel Folk Klub were Sue, Gaby and Hillel from Beit HaEmek (who were joined by Ada Dahan for most of the set) and The Bean Blossom Boys.

Everyone loves a singalong and the folks from Beit HaEmek have always kept us singing since the KFK began, with their popular selection of songs and great harmonies. Ada Dahan of Wild Mountain Thyme added a lot with her flute accompaniment.

Ari Meerson, Bruce Brill and Josh Goodman

performed for the BBB. Hillel Mogel's banjo was really missed, since Bruce has not yet figured out how to play fiddle and banjo at the same time. That is my only negative comment about their performance.

Ari plays mandolin like no one else I have heard in Israel. His playing is as smooth as the proverbial baby's tush. When someone asked me Ari was from and I answered Moscow -- they wanted to know if that was in Kentucky or

Tennessee! His accent was authentic hillbilly

through and through. Bruce Brill as always was excellent on fiddle, banjo, vocals and as a

special treat, the Jews' Harp. What was definitely a first for me was when a cell phone went off in the middle of the performance and the phone belonged to the performer! Bruce, you can run but you can't hide.

What can I say about Josh Goodman? I did not personally know Josh before he came to Karmiel. One thing I did know about him was that his political views are far to the right. Another thing I knew is that Josh is a hell of a musician. Because of his strong views I was reluctant to invite him up North. Then I started thinking about the way I sign my e-mail "I just came for the music." As trite as this signature may seem, I try to stay true to this simple motto. I attempt not to get in involved in the politics of the Matnas or the politics of the local folk scene. What I do love is music. The truth is I also have a lot of love and a deep respect for the majority of the musicians. So I invited the Bean Blossom Boys to Karmiel. They gave a tremendous performance. Josh's politics still scare me. This is his privilege. Living in Israel, you get used to having acquaintances, even friends, with diametrically opposing views to your own. Josh is actually a really nice guy, and a great musician. As I told him on the phone, everyone is entitled to their wrong opinion.

The reason I decided to write this review is that the performers deserve the recogni- tion. For the majority of the people who perform, music is not a livelihood but a labor of love. They work a full day, go home to a family who needs their time and attention and still somehow find the time to practice and hone their skills. After all of these pressures they take the time to travel up to four hours to perform for a small but great audience.

And us? We just come for the music.

--Larry Rosenfeld

About 80 intrepid souls made it through heavy rain and flooding to the Annual Square Dance Shindig organized by Judy Admon, with Cyrelle Sofer calling. Some were apparently late in notifying their intention to attend the square dancing weekend at Sdot Yam, resulting in its cancellation. But the Lewises stepped in and volunteered their dining room at Kibbutz Tsora, so folks wouldn't go into total withdrawal. Well, dancing it was, with ear-to-ear grins, for a solid two hours, leaving folks begging for more. The evening ended with a singalong led by Judi Lewis (songsheets provided) with a shining backup band including Lynn, Shay and special guest Sid Singer, who's in from England. If such an evening occurs in the near future it is recom- mended not to go -- they could easily become addictive.

--jg

Dave Rovics, a modern troubador who performs both his own original songs alongside more traditional and well-known folksongs. His repertoire includes titles such as Minimum Wage Strike, The Death

of David Chain, Song for Boxcar Betty and Parking Lots and Strip Malls. He's got a bag full of protest songs - labor, environmental, etc. He's a wonderful performer, accompanying himself on his guitar. Dave is American but has recently relocated to Hamburg, Germany. See Calendar for a location near you.

Come all you FolkStuff'niks, wherever ye be,

Yes, drop what ye're doin' and listen tae me,

Don't talk out of turn and don't shoot off yer

mouth,

And ye'll hear of a jam session held way down south.

Chorus: Hey-yey daroma, it's not so very far,

Well, the folk who came down to the Joe Alon Grove

Had no notion of seekin' a rich treasure trove,

They played for sheer fun and their spirits were

cheered,

'Twas a heartwarming hoot -- once the garbage was cleared.

First Larry and Yuval and Mark, I must name,

And Carol and Ari, of mandolin fame,

Not to mention Moshe from far-flung Yerucham,

And Miriam and Myron from Moshav Sde-Nitzan.

Now Yuval's a sabra who sang Scottish lays,

Evr'y last bloody word, till we were all in a daze,

That's why Larry Gamliel prefers rock n'roll,

And Dylan and Springstein and Simon and Soul.

Now Ari and Judi had us tappin' our feet,

While Mark's guitaron laid down a great beat.

We all joined in song till the valley was ringin'

With the help of two copies of "Rise up Singin'

What we lacked in sheer numbers we made up in style,

So loudly proclaim from Yarmukh to the Nile,

If music's your bag, if you revel in song,

Then the hills of the Negev are where you belong.

Hey-yey daroma, etceter-eter-ar.

--Amiel Schatz

Happy birthday to Don Ganchrow, Sue Tourkin-Komet, Deborah Fields, Nechama

Silberman, Shelley Ellen Yemini.

Happy anniversary to Marc Clarfield and Ora Paltiel

NOT TRAD ADS - fee is NIS 10 (NIS 5

for members).

**SHELLEY ELLEN guitar lessons available for performances (03)674-5356.

**For Sale: Franco Esteva concert model

(top of the line) classical guitar with Scudero pickup, plus hard wood case, in MINT condition. Contact Marc Gittelson (02) 671-6803 or (053) 962-600 or NURSEMARC@NEWMAIL.NET

**Jill Rogoff's "The Celtic Cradle" and "Across the Narrow Seas" (ALC 129) are

available on cassette (NIS 40) or CD

(NIS 60). Tel/Fax (02) 679-0410.

**Bar/Bat Mitzva or Weddings: Have a

foot- stomping party with Debby Elnatan,

fiddler & caller, square and line dancing, clogging. Have wheels, will travel. (02) 678-9778, 053-806-281.

DISCLAIMER: FolkNotes is the official

publication of the Israel Folkstuff

Society. Views are those of the writers, not necessarily those of IFS. FolkNotes and all of the articles, photographs and material contained therein are, unless otherwise noted, copyrighted by IFS 1999

Sat., Sun., Mon. 8-12 P.M. Folk music with Ray Scudero at the 7th Place, Beit Agron, 37 Hillel, (02) 625-4495 Call ahead.

Sundays, biweekly. Israel Dulcimer Society: Get that dulcimer off the wall and join us for biweekly music sessions. All levels welcome. Alternate Mondays, 8:30 p.m. For more information: Judith (02) 679-8448 or Dena (02)-561-8910

Thursdays, 8:30-11 P.M., Balkan Dancing at Moadon Hasport, 30 Hatsfira, Moshava Germanit, call Cyrelle (02) 566-2682

Thurs. Dec. 9, 9 pm: JUG 'O' PUNCH at 7th Place. Beit Agron, 37 Hillel, Info: (02) 625-4495 .

Wed. Dec. 22, 8.30 pm: JERUSALEM FOLK CLUB, 7^th Place Restaurant in Bet Agron, 37 Hillel Street, Jerusalem. Admission: 30 NIS including first drink. Headliners: DAVE ROVICS with

Laurie Orenstein Zaarur. For Info call Larry Gamliel at (053) 801-202 or Carol at 671-4007.

Wed. Dec. 29, 9 P.M.: Tsora Folk Club with DAVE ROVICS. Judi & Lynn Lewis. (02) 990-8382 or (051) 348-061 or judilynn@gezernet.co.il

TEL AVIV AREA:

Wed. Dec. 1., 8:30 PM.: Tel Aviv Folk Club. Annual Shay Tochner birthday party with Shuli Natan, Rahel Jaskow, Jonathan Miller and others. Bikurei Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more

details, call Ariela: (03)683-7441

Wed. Dec. 15, 8:30 PM.: Tel Aviv Folk Club, with Julio's Friends. and others. Bikurei Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more details call Ariela: (03) 683-7441

Wed. Dec. 22, 10 pm. The Stompers Dixieland Jazz. Beit Leissin, 34 Rehov Weizman. For information, (09) 835-9875

Thurs. Dec. 23. DAVE ROVICS - Home Concert in Yahud - 15 minutes from Tel Aviv. Robin & Jay Epstein, 13 Ashkenazi St., Apt. 32, 8th floor. (03) 632-0957.

Tues. Dec. 28. DAVE ROVICS in Ra'anana. Janet & Charlie Lerner (09) 745-2605.

Thurs. Dec2, 4, 9 pm. KARMIEL FOLK KLUB. An evening with Eli Marcus, John Mayer, and Marc Miller. Entrance: NIS 15. For more information, call Larry (04) 990-2455.

Sat. Dec 25. DAVE ROVICS in Gush Segev. Larry (04) 990-2455.

Fri. Dec. 17. DAVE ROVICS at Kibbutz Yodvata. For information contact Marc Gittelson at (07) 635-7544 or (053) 962-600.

Sat. Dec. 18. DAVE ROVICS - Home Concert in Yerucham. Moshe Landsman and Leah

Shakdiel (07) 658-0387 or (052) 620-505 or lmoshelea@netvision.net.il

Sun. Dec. 19. DAVE ROVICS - Midreshet Sde Boker (Moreshet Ben-Gurion auditorium) Laurie Ornstein Zaarur (07) 653-2080

Tues. Dec. 21. DAVE ROVICS - Home Concert in Beersheva. Myra & Richard Bennet,

Rehov Shlomsky 5, Schuna Heh. (07) 642-2303.

Try to get your information to the appropriate persons for the Calendar, as early as possible, so we can meet publication deadlines (15th of each month). Contact Sue Tourkin-Komet (02) 676-3346 for Jerusalem activities, Angela Silman (03) 696-4653 for other areas, Larry Gamliel at (02)

641-1043 or (053) 801-202, or by fax: Carol (02) 675-8376.

For late-breaking updates, join our email listing, contact Carol: carol@mdlib.huji.ac.il

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