Contents: Folkus: Laurie Ornstein Zaarur - January at Tzora - Irish Update - JFC on the move - In Memoriam: Amalia Rodrigues - CD Review: Ann Rachel - Another Folk Club - Calendar

hang out in Washington Square and strum. During her high school days, she lead a sort of double life: on the one hand, she was a high school kid who wore beads and flowers. But she was also very active, and I mean very much so, in Young Judaea. When she finished her studies, she left for Israel at once. After a year she returned home for a short trip, and then came back to Israel for good, more or less. She had two kids -- Shikmah and Shlomit. She wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but allowed herself to be persuaded to teach English instead, which is what she does today at Sde Boker. She has wandered up down and all around the country, and also flits hither and yon to America and back.

What of her music? Well she has had professional training. She loves choral music, and during the last couple of years she has actually studied the process of conducting choirs. But her first love has always been folk. About a year ago she showed up at Kibbutz Tzora Folk Club and has been performing regularly since. She has also become active in the Israel FolkStuff Society. She has made many friends and found kindred spirits with whom she loves to make music, such as Marc Gitel and Judy Ganch.

Now comes the gushy part. Quite apart from her being a charming person, I am captivated by two aspects of her music. First, her voice is very special, although I'm not really sure why. Maybe it has to do with it being just plain good; not the fanciest or most robust perhaps, but just plain high quality. It is very pure, with perhaps a hint of a vibrato. It is unassuming, and thus amazingly riveting. Her choice of music is, to my mind, totally compelling. It is a reflection of her being a woman. Some of the most entertaining are about and by witches. And where does she find her material? Just about anywhere -- she found one witch song on the piano of Moshe Landsman, an avowedly anti-witch person. Her songs tend to be more ancient than not, or at least they have an antique air about them. Blues are not for her. She does Celtic stuff, and old English ballads, as well as the occasional contem- porary song. She plays a classical guitar that sounds like a lute. Of course, her tastes are shared by many of her colleagues. But what makes her special is that she, of all of them, performs solo. The bottom line is: Laurie hasn't released any recordings as far as I know. So if you want to hear a very gifted and lovely lady doing her thing, you should make the effort and come to one or another of the folk clubs to catch her. And when you do, you will be hearing real and true folk songs, sung by a genuinely fine singer.

--Larry Gamliel

It was raining and freezing cold, Lynn had the flu, and the pub was closed for reno- vations. Not an auspicious concurrence of circumstances the day of the Folk Club. So what did I do? I phoned a few of the regulars to make sure that we'd have performers and several promised to come, especially when they heard that Lynn was ill. I had the basis of a great evening and trusted that an audience would brave the bad weather. We were only about 30 people but we filled the small room that was available. Warmed by hot tea and coffee we had one of the best Folk evenings ever. I say "Folk" because with Lynn absent the "Country" foundation was missing. I held the fort as M.C. which I really enjoyed. Hachmoni opened the evening with warming renditions of a few of his own compositions. His song about the aging man in his rocking chair raised a lot of laughs. Marcie and Larry followed with uplifting songs and had the audience singing along. Sandy sang us her latest self--composition. She has a real talent for song writing and we all hope that more will follow the two songs she has already written. During her set she was joined by Phillip and together they had the audience enthralled. Laurie sang beautifully as always, ably accompanied by Marc on base. A newcomer, Alisha, captivated us with two a-capella songs and we all hope that she will be back in the future. Menscher led us in a few sing-along numbers, accompanied by Avery who had come all the way from Netanya. Shelley rounded off the evening with a set including some of her own compositions. Her new CD is on sale and is highly recommended. She had the audience dancing in their seats to the Country Rock numbers. During the set, she was joined by Phillip and Avery.

Thank you all - musicians and audience - for making this yet another great Folk evening.

Come again y'all.

--Judi Lewis

In addition to the first Irish Music and Film

Festival, Jerry O'Sullivan, one of the world's best Uillean Pipers, will be coming to Israel again in April for another concert tour with Black Velvet. You can find the schedule at:

http://www.oocities.org/ayelet-hacohen/jerry-bv-2000.html

As is our wont, but not our want, the Jerusalem Folk Club is compelled to seek new quarters -- which we have done and found. In March we will be at the 7^th Place. But as of April 12th (Note that we are returning to Thursdays, by request), the JFC shall be located at: Mar Elias Monastery Refectory (that's Monkish for restaurant). It is large, ornate, lovely, great arches (not golden), great acoustics. Great food (not Kosher), but salad people will have a ball. Opening night features Rikki Rose and other surprise and surprise(d) guests. One minor problem is that it is not in the city center. The Monastery is on Hebron Road (west side) between the Talpiot Industrial area and the entrance to Gilo. Bus #30 does come near. Otherwise it is a healthy walk from the last stops of the #21 and #48 on Hebron Road. More details and maps to follow. Info from Larry (053) 801-202 or Carol (02) 671-4007.

IN MEMORIAM: AMALIA RODRIGUES (1920-1999)

Amalia Rodrigues, for many the greatest fado singer of them all, died on October 6, 1999, at the age of 79. Born in poverty in Lisbon, Portugal, Rodrigues was discovered in 1939, and went on to become a national icon. She sang in operettas, plays, films and concerts, and recorded many albums. She travelled widely (South American, France, the USA, Israel, to name a fe), gaining an adoring international audience, but - as the numbers attending her funeral demonstrated - she remained Portugal's treasure.

She had a beautiful and instantly recog- nisable voice, and an ability to reach into the very depths of the heart of all those who listened to her songs of pain and grief, even those who did not understand a word of Portuguese. She turned every song she sang into fado (the Portuguese word for "fate" - a kind of blues music), regardless of its original provenance. So if someone tells you that some up-and-coming singer is the "new Rodrigues" -- take it with a huge pinch of salt: hers was a rare voice and an act pretty impossible to follow.

--Jill Rogoff

I don't have my copy of Ann Rachel's new CD yet, but I do have a cassette copy furnished me by The Ganch. Therefore I don't know the names of the songs or even the name of the album. Accordingly I will have to refrain from mentioning the various tracks by name. But that won't stop me from telling you that Ann Limor, who now goes by the name of Ann Rachel, has made a sparkling recording of many of the songs for which she is loved and beloved by all of us. As Judi pointed out last month, this is a studio recording. Whoever produced the album used the technology at his/her disposal to highlight the very best qualities of this wonderfully gifted singer/songwriter. Ann's voice has always been so very pure, and on this recording it shines out with magnificent splendor. Whether the songs are quiet or up tempo, her singing is remarkable. She occasionally harmonizes with herself and the result is stunning. Many of the songs are our favorites, and it is wonderful to be reunited with them. Indeed, the studio allows Ann to embellish the arrangements, but nothing is overdone or overly elaborate. Her guitar playing, to say nothing of the guitar itself, is top notch. Where did she get hold of that wonderful instrument. I want it!

Ann's lyrics have always been impressive. She has always had the ability to use simple and direct words to get her message across. Invariably, the message is optimistic and upbeat. She has had her battles, but she has come through -- bruised perhaps, but wonderfully intact.

I hope you all know that Ann will be visiting us for a short while. You absolutely must not miss her performances. And whatever you do, buy that CD so that you can treasure it for the rest of your life!

Ann's web site: http://cdbaby.com/annrachel

--Larry Gamliel

Good news, great news. Bruce Brill is back and about to start a new bimonthly Folk Club on Mount Scopus in Hillel House. This issue may get to you after the first one, but you are all encouraged and invited to attend the ensuing ones, which are planned for the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month.

I know that I speak for all of us in the folk

community when I say that something very special has been missing from our lives when Bruce and the AACI parted ways. But pine no more. Bruce will be leading his wonderful

mixture of various artists and styles every two weeks. I had a sneak peak at the schedule for the first one, and it is the same wonderful thing we have known and loved over the years.

On behalf of all of us here at IFS, we salute Bruce and wish him every success. I for one, will be in the audience cheering him on.

--Larry Gamliel

Happy birthday to: David Baron, Barbara

Hochman, Julian Newman, Lisa Rogoff.

Mazel Tov to Naomi and Bob in Ashville on the birth of a boy, Coriel, 8 lbs 6 oz and "looks a LOT like Bob."

Mazal Tov to Inbal Limor and family on her Bat Mitzva - we are happy you chose to celebrate it here in Israel.

Mazal Tov to Mike Stein on his nomination for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Recorded Music for Children, for his recording

DREAMOSAURUS. He wrote the music, lyrics and story with two other colleagues

(collectively known as DINOROCK). Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer produced the CD, which is available on Rounder Records #8082.

NOT TRAD ADS - NIS 10 (NIS 5 for members).

**Suzalah's Souk Art - Glassed and Framed, modestly sized and modestly priced, door signs, mazal tovs, etc. Handmade by Sue Tourkin- Komet (02) 676-3346.

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

**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.

**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) 644-6630 or (053) 962-600.

DISCLAIMER: FolkNotes is the official publication of the Israel FolkStuff Society. Views are those of the writers, not

necessarily those of IFS.

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

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

Sun. March 5, 8:30 pm. AACI-IFS FOLK CLUB. 5 Mane St., Talbieh, Jerusalem. Featuring Ann Rachel . Call Larry Gamliel at (053) 801-202 or Carol at 671-4007.

Wed. March 8, 8.30 pm: JERUSALEM FOLK CLUB, 7th Place Restaurant, Bet Agron, Hillel Street, Jerusalem. Admission: 30 NIS including first drink. Open mike at 8:30. Headliner: Laurie Ornstein Zaarur with Marc Gittelson. Call Larry Gamliel at (053) 801-202 or Carol at 671-4007.

With Larry (needs-no-introduction) Gamliel, Ari Meerson of/and the Bean Blossom Boys, Terry Koken and Debbie Aber (from California), folk poetry and song with Inkblot Hurricane, the Prince of Parody: Michael Greengart. Admission: 20/10 NIS. Further info and directions: Cindy Friedman (02) 588-3902 or Bruce Brill (02) 996-4443

Thu. March 2, 11 pm. CIAN in Camelot.

Fri. March 3, 1 pm. Irish Cream playing in front of the Cinemateque as part of the Irish Festival.

Fri. March 3, 9 pm. Emer Mayock and Black Velvet, in the Cinemateque. Emer plays the flute, Uilleann pipes and fiddle.

Fri. March 3, 11 pm. Paddy Glackin (fiddle) and Michael O'Donnell (guitar), former members of the legendary Bothy Band, in Camelot.

Fri. March 3, 11 pm. CIAN in the Cinemateque.

Sat. March 4, 9 pm. Paddy Glackin and Michael O'Donnell in the Cinemateque.

Sat. March 4, 11 pm. Emer Mayock with Black Velvet in Camelot.

Sat. March 4, 11 pm. Treasa Harkin (button accordion) with Cahol in the Cinemateque.

Sun, 5, 8:30 pm and 11 pm. Treasa Harkin with Cahol in Camelot.

Mon, March 6, 11 pm. Emer Mayock and Black Velvet in Camelot.

Wed. March 15, 8:30 pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB, Bikurei Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more details call Ariela: (03) 683-7441.

Thurs. Mar. 30. RA'ANANA at the Lerners. Home Hoot with the ubiquitous Larry Gamliel. For more info: call Janet & Charlie Lerner (09) 745-2605

Wed. March 29, 9 pm. KIBBUTZ TZORA FOLK CLUB. The usual great line-up. Call: Judi & Lynn Lewis: (02)990-8382 or (051) 348-061 or judilynn@gezernet.co.il

Thurs. March 2, 9 pm. An evening with Hal Wrobel and Paul Kol, Rahel Jaskow (accompanied by Larry Gamliel), also Ann Rachel, and others. Matnas Megadim. Entrance: NIS 15. For more information, call Larry (04) 990-2455.

Thurs. March 9, 10 pm at Charlie's. Zlil L'Lev, easy listening, mostly Hebrew, with Oren Ezer from Shorashim and Asael Shrier from Amirim.

Thurs. March 16. Erev St. Patrick's Day, at Makom B'Glil, Shorashim - IRISH CREAM.

Fri. March 17, St. Patrick's Day March, OUR GALA ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION at

Moadon Kibbutz Mizra near AFULA. Tickets are NIS 45. Anyone coming with a full set of Uillean pipes gets in free! Come raise a glass (or two or three...) as well as the roof. Jam after concert.

Thurs. March 23, 10 pm at Charlie's. JOYFUL NOISE.

March 1. Mofat Hechal Hatarbut. Beer Sheva

March 5. Jerusalem Theater. , Jerusalem

March 9 Hechal Hatarbut Netanya

March 12 Beit Hahayal Tel Aviv

March 23 Hechal Hatarbut Ashkelon

March 27 Hechal Hatarbut Kfar Saba

March 29 and 30. Mofat Hechal Hatarbut. Beer Sheva

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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; all 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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