Contents: Editorial - Record Review - Jerusalem Folk Clubs - Jacob's Ladder - Confessions - Milestaines - - Calendar

Tom Lehrer, the great humorist and de facto folk singer, tells a story about Henry, who was so eccentric that he spelled his name thus: hen3ry. The 3 was silent. Henry was a necro- philiac who achieved his life- long ambition of becoming a coroner. When they finally took him away to the Mass- achusetts State Home for the Bewildered, he is reported to have remarked : "Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it."

Which is a rather sneaky way of introducing this month's topic for reflection: the FolkNotes Calendar. The Calendar is perhaps the most important feature of this newsletter, apart from my pithy and entertaining editorials, of course. The Calendar is designed to keep us all informed about current happenings and events. It is designed to be timely, so that we can all hear about these happenings before they happen, as opposed to afterwards. Ideally the Calendar should be all- encompassing, which in plain English means that it should cover the broadest possible spectrum of musical and related events. It should be current in addition to being timely, which means to say that it can't be focused on much more than the imme- diate present.

So what's all the fuss about? Well it seems that Carol gets messages from time to time wondering why such and such an event wasn't mentioned in the Calendar. It is to be stressed that all of us here in FolkNotes land would never ever delete or overlook a relevant musical event. The mere idea... The problem is that despite our best efforts, we are only semi-divine. We can't possibly know about absolutely everything that is going on everywhere.

Noah Zacharin

So what can be done? You, all of you nice folks out there, everyone who is within view of this page, are our eyes, ears and tendrils. We need you to tell us about things of which you know. We need you to do so in a prompt and timely manner. If you think an alternative jazz festival is worth men- tioning in this rag, please gird up your loins and tell us about it right away. The faster you tell us, the better the chances of it being included in a timely manner. We are very liberal as to what constitutes relevant musical and other events. In fact, I would venture to say that if you bother to read this, you are interested in the same sort of stuff that we are. If by some remote quirk there is a problem, we will discuss it. For instance, it may be assumed that this publication will not include references to the annual belchin', cussin' and spittin' fest which, if you can believe it, is actually held yearly and I'm not making this up. Apart from that, virtually anything goes.

Thus, folknuts, please help us keep us informed. Make the Calendar even better by participating in it.

Since this will probably get to you after the holidays, all of us hope all of you had a wonderful Passover. Don't take any wooden Matza.

--Larry Gamliel

RECORD REVIEW - Helen Baylor...Live" (Verity 01241-43124-4)

When performing in Jerusalem one night to a predominantly religious audience, I made the mistake of introducing a song with a sing-along request saying that it was my "Gospel" version of a Bill Staines song. Well it seems that the word "Gospel" turned off most of the audience, as only a few stalwarts joined me in the rousing number. Jeewiz - I wasn't trying to convert anyone, and the song worked well with the TAFC crowd. Go figure. Anyway, rarely does an album get me so addicted that I have to hear it every day (for the last 3 months & going strong). This is more than a recommendation if you can get away from the religious references - unless they rub you the wrong way. It all happened early one Sunday New York morning while dealing with the jet lag blues again. When WHAM - a blaring bass hit my earphones and a lead guitar spiraled up into the sky, followed by a choir singing "We're Ministers Of Defence" -- and then the lead singer Helen Baylor took over. The music had me rocking & rolling in bed and I just HAD to get that music which I luckily found in the record store later that day. It's called "Helen Baylor... Live" from a concert she gave in Denver to a huge adoring crowd. Although there is sermonizing and testimony on some cuts, which I skip over, there are a few musical pearls of such intensity (obviously generated by the momentum of faith) that they even make non-believers feel good. It's an inspiring way to start & finish the day. I have it on the car cassette player - and it's great in traffic. Especially when that bass intro blasts-in. On the plane home to Tel Aviv, a huge American GI sat next to me, who was heading for a stint in Sinai. When asked if he had ever heard of Helen Baylor, he said "sure, that Gospel singer." So if you ever enjoyed Mahalia Jackson, you'll love Helen; no matter what your religion. Go for it.

--Harold Jacobs

In the interval between this issue and the preceding one, Ann Limor, who now goes by the name of Ann Rachel has come and gone. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find some- one who might write an objective review. Ann appeared at Bruce's club and re-inaugurated the revived AACI Folk Club with an entire evening of her material. I am not objective. I had the honor of accompanying Ann during much of her performance. I'll just say this: she is lovely; her material is lovely; her performance was lovely and moving, and I think I'd better stop gushing.

On the first of April, no joke, AACI, in conjunction with IFS, got their folk club off to a rousing official start. We had sort of a Song Contest reunion if you will. Since several of the contestants couldn't make it to Jerusalem from their outlying areas, we invited several Jerusalemite finalists from years past to partici- pate. One who did make it from her far-flung settlement was Sylvia Ber, winner of the first prize in last year's contest. She has a music hall voice. She writes and sings music hall songs. Again, I had the task of accompanying her. Work! Work! Work! She as an adorable grandma, or is it great grandma? No matter, she wiggled and wriggled and belted out her songs in a marvelous manner. As did Lynn and Judy Lewis who also came from far away, along with the lovely Ray Scudero in tow. Etc, etc. The whole thing was very nice. Which leaves our own Jerusalem Folk Club. Going back a bit, in February, we were entertained by three gals, Rikki Rose, who is headlining in April, Michal Rogson, doing her highly original stuff, and Shelly Ellen. I've written about Shelly Ellen previously, so I won't repeat myself. Of course the pinnacle of the evening came when the three ladies teamed up and sang together. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Now in March we were entertained by another lady, Laurie Ornstein Zaarur, also previously reviewed by I. Or is it me? One of us. Laurie is the genuine thing, and her voice is very special and pure. She was accompanied by Marc Gittelson on base and, surprise, Ray added his magic guitar. This here folks, is sublime folk music as it is meant to be performed.

In April, we had a visit from themonster from theGravel Pit, i.e., Marc Miller, who despite his own best efforts, managed to captivate and charm the audience. We then had an emotional farewell performance by Rikki Rose, backed by the ubiquitous organ player. More on her next issue.

--Larry Gamliel

Noah Zacharin: Singer/ songwriter of Toronto, begins his two week Tour of the Holy Land at Jacob's Ladder Festival on May 19th. Noah can (and does play every- thing), his performances are disarmingly direct, humorous, and surprisingly personal. Don't miss his Saturday indoor performance and on the mainstage outdoors at 15.30.

Headliners this year are Steve Haggard and The Rangers - Steve is a fine country singer/songwriter,

and head of his own record label Wild Oats, out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has 5 CDs to his credit and has made some 20 Euro- pean tours. His show includes not only his own songs but also a vast repertoire of traditional country, country-rock, blues, folk, rockabilly, bluegrass and 'Fifties rock 'n' roll. He can cover everybody from Hank Williams to Bob Dylan to Buddy Holly to Credence Clearwater to Muddy Waters to... well, you get the idea.

Bob Brozman and Woody Mann almost defy description - the best I can do is refer you to their websites, linked via the JL website. Bob Brozman appears to be one of the world's foremost experts on National Steel, Dobro and all forms of slide guitar and other steel instruments. He is an all round entertainer, "delivering so many stinging one-liners with such rapidity that he could easily make a living as an comedian," according to The San Diego Union. He's been called the Groucho Marx of the blues in seven languages!

Woody Mann holds audiences spellbound with a mixture of blues and jazz in addition to his original music. Audiences are inspired by him, and Woody has published several books and videos on blues guitar styles. A master of blues brilliance.

The new date, May 19^th & 20^th, is likely to be much cooler than the old July date - and because of this many people who have not attended for the past couple of years will be returning. So get ready to meet many of your old friends!

Many new groups will be playing this year, proving that folk music is alive and well in Israel.

Tranzit is a northern group, whose Scottish lead singer Jimmy McKinley lives on the Golan Heights - it's a grand place for the Scots!

The Arava Riders are a new Country band - truly from the Deep South.

The Midnight Mojo Blues Band, with Dov Hammer on harmonicas, is a Jacob's

Ladder veteran of the Ted Cooper Band days.

This year sees the welcome return of Eli Marcus and of Betty Maoz and many more.

If you pay at the gate, it's either cash or cheque please -- sorry, no credit cards. Booking tickets beforehand will save you both time and money. See our website for details or call (06) 696-2231.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

--Menachem & Yehudit

I guess it all began in Toronto in the 1970's when my cousin and I, both Folksingers of sorts at the time, dreamed about bringing Ralph McTell to Canada for a concert series. It was the midst of the Disco craze and the beginning of Punk Rock, and Folk seemed to be dying out commercially at the time... Ralph played Toronto twice in the late 70's, although I had nothing directly to do with it....

About 2 years ago, Paul Graham and myself began fantasizing about bringing various artists from the USA to Israel, following contacts he had made from the CD import business. The name Woody Mann came up, and Paul actually made contact with Woody and heard from him that he would love to come over and visit family here as well as perform (the Jewish connection always helps...). The Camelot Club was approached, and they

hemmed and hawed, but

were never convinced of this artist's greatness or of his potential as an audience draw... When Moshe Shuster phoned me up a few months ago to tell me he had just returned from Woody Mann's guitar workshop I was green with envy. When he told me that he had all but booked Woody to come and play here, I felt like a dream had come true, and when he added that the legendary Bob Brozman was also arriving, I was getting a bit incredulous. So here we are, getting ready for a country-wide tour by these two amazing guitarists, and I think it is a great privilege having them in our midst. I know that once you hear them at one of the venues they play during their tour, you too will see how this is a dream of mine come true....

To see them outside of Jacob's Ladder : See dates and locations below the Calendar.

--Eli Marcus

Happy Birthday to: Esther Baron, Templeton Clarsfield, David Decklebaum, Abe Dorevitch, Ari Meerson, Ora Paltiel, Shlomo Silberman, Daphna Whetstone, Laurie Zaarur

Happy anniversary to: Don and Judi Ganchrow - out of sight, but not out of mind.

Refuah shlema to Judi Ganchrow, who is already up-and-about, and to Daphna Whetstone.

NOT TRAD ADS - fee is NIS 10 (NIS 5 for members). **SHELLEY ELLEN guitar lessons, available for perfor- mances (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.

**SUZALEH'S SILK ART - Glassed and Framed, modestly sized and modestly priced, door signs, mazal tovs, etc. Handmade by Sue Tourkin-Komet (02) 676-3346.

Our Trad Ads section is free to IFS members. Display ads are priced according to the following schedule:

Full page NIS 450

Half page NIS 225 1/3 page NIS 180

1/4 page NIS 125

1/10 page NIS 60

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 2000.

Picture files of Woody, Bob and Steve Haggard are from the Jacob's Ladder site, that of Noah, from his website.

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

Saturday, May 6, 8 pm. Scottish Folk Dancing at St. Andrew's Scottish Hospice, David Remez 1 (near Rakevet). Please call to verify time, etc. (02) 673-2401.

Thursday, May 11, 8:30 pm. Jerusalem Folk Club in its newest location at the Mar Elias Monastery Refectory. Beginning with Jane Gruman (never heard of her - come and hear great schmaltz), followed by Basata. Admission: 30 NIS. Call Larry Gamliel (053) 801-202 or Carol 671-4007.

Thursday, May 18, 8:30 pm. Nava Ensemble: classical Bucharian music, ancient women's songs, folk music from Uzbekistan and Tagekistan. NIS 55. Confederation House, Emil Botta 12. Tel: (02) 624-5206.

Thursday, May 25, 8.30 pm. Jerusalem Folk Club, in its newest quarters, Mar Elias Monastery. Featuring Noah Zacharin ... Admission: 30 NIS. Call Larry Gamliel at (053) 801-202 or Carol at 671-4007.

First Friday of every month. Oppenheimer English Storyteller Center for Adults. Come listen,

learn, share, and enjoy. Please call ahead and reserve a place. Email: dvoras@netvision.net.il or call Dvora at (03) 546-2913. (11 Yotzer Blvd, near Assuta Hospital).

Wednesday, May 3, 8:30pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB, with Larry Brandt and Sheila Tannenbaum, Queen ofSchmaltz, Unstrung Heroes, Jonathan Miller & Eli Marcus and Nancy Weinfier. Bikurei Ha'itim 6 HeftmanSt. For more details, call Ariela: (03) 683-7441.

Wednesday, May 17, 8:30pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB, with .... and others. Bikurei

Ha'itim 6 Heftman St. For more details, call Ariela: (03) 683-7441.

Wednesday, May 31, 9pm. KIBBUTZ TZORA FOLK CLUB. Noah Zacharin plus a Jewish Bluegrass lead singer ?? Jerry Wincentowski with the Bluegrass Incident for want of a better name and the usual great line-up. Call: Judi & Lynn Lewis: (02)990-8382 or (051) 348-061 or judilynn@gezernet.co.il

Thursday, May 4, 9 pm. Matnas Megadim, with Ray Scudero, and Julio's Friends.

August 4-13: Lorient (Brittany) Celtic Festival. 4500 musicians from all over -

Frances' biggest Celtic celebration. http://www.azimut-com.fr/interceltic

Woody Mann and Bob Brozman's combined tour of the Holy Land:

Thursday, May 18, 9pm. House Concert in the spacious backyard of Paul Moore in Hod Hasharon, contact: Paul (09) 745-7287. Tickets will be 35 NIS, BYOB (we don't want to worry about catering arrangements .

Friday and Saturday, May 19-20. Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival, Karei Deshe, Kinneret, contact: Tel/fax 972-6-696-2231 - website: http://jacobs-ladder.canaan.co.il/

Sunday, May 21. Shorashim (next to Carmiel), evening concert, contact: Larry Rosenfeld (04) 990-2455.

Tuesday, May 23, 8pm. Ofra Auditorium, Ofra, contact: Moshe (02) 6782303, (050) 263733.

Thursday, May 25, 9pm. Yellow Submarine pub, Jerusalem, contact: John Mayer (02) 6727064.

Friday, May 26. Tentative master class in Raanana, Katzenelson school. contact: Paul (09) 7457287.

Saturday, May 27, 10pm. Camelot Club, Tel Aviv, contact: Eli (054) 280957. For latest info: Dr Moshe Shuster (02) 6782303, (050) 263733.

############################################################

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISRAEL FOLKSTUFF SOCIETY Membership (clip and MAIL today) Oh, yes!! I'd like to become a member of/renew my membership in: IFS. Includes a subscription to FolkNotes, discounts on IFS-sponsored concerts and Home Hoots, etc. Send to IFS, P.O.B. 12188 Jerusalem 91120 Israel

Single, NIS 50; Family, NIS 65; Outside Israel, NIS 75

Name:_______________________________________________ Birth month: ____________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City: ______________ ZIP code _______ email: ____________________________________

Phones: Home: ________________ Work: ________________

YES!!! I want to be active - write - organize - do something

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------