Contents:
Jacob's Ladder Review
Music in Beit Shemesh
Sarona FC - April Review
CD Review
A Little Humor.

Jacob's Ladder - Some thoughts about this year's festival:

1. Menachem and Yehudit are the brains and heart behind Jacob's Ladder and this year they might have showed a lot of heart by not calling off the festival. I don't have the words to give all of my respect and gratitude the Vinegrads for having the brains, heart and guts to go on with what ended being one of the best shows ever.

Jonathan Margalit at JL

2. There is a lot of great talent here. Whether it is Blues, Folk, Rock, Celtic, Irish, Bluegrass, Country, Singer/Songwriter, or whatever, we got it and we got it good. Just look at the number of excellent CDs put out by local musicians the past year. These days I never have a problem finding gifts to take abroad. There is nothing better than a homespun CD to show that life in Israel is more than you see on CNN. The musicians are definitely the backbone of Jacob's Ladder.

3. The total atmosphere of the event was better than ever. People were ready to break out of the doom and gloom that we have been living in for too long a time. There were great activities for kids, storytelling, Charlie the Clown, Juggling, as well as Tai Chi and TM for the more spiritual amongst us.
My favorite quote from the crowd came from my 5-year -old son Mikey; "I love everything at Jacob's Ladder, except for the music." We just came for everything except music. NOT
Without a doubt, the audience is the soul of the festival.

4. I was pleased to see Lynn Lewis looking so good. To me, Lynn and Judy are synonymous with Jacob's Ladder and they sound and look better than ever. Ad 120.

5. Banjos Rock!

--Larry Rosenfeld

More on Jacob's Ladder

You will hear it from everyone who was there. This year, people made it a point to come, and they weren't disappointed. This year's Jacob's Ladder was wonderful. I haven't been to all of them, so I can't say it was the best, but it surely was one of. First of all, we really needed it.

Sandy Cash at JL

Many of us, perhaps, were wondering whether given the current situation in the country, it was a good idea to hold it at all. And if it were held, how many people would brave it and come. But people came in droves. We needed it. We needed to get away from the horror for a while. We needed to stand up to the situation. We needed to show them, ourselves, or whatever, that we would not be intimidated.

Of course security was very tight. But we all understood. The weather was just right, not too cool at night nor warm by day. The venue was wonderful with good accommodations and camping grounds. The organization was fine, even though toward the end things got just a wee bit behind schedule.

But the greatest thing about this year's festival was the music. This time around the Vinegrads outdid them- selves. The balance of styles was tiptop. There was something for everyone and not too much of anything. I will leave the extensive discussion and details to others. While all were fine, special mention must be made of Banjer Dan Mazer who disregarded all the warnings from the State Department, and flew in from Washington DC.

The man knows his stuff and he had a group of aficionados backing him up with Lynn Lewis, Josh Goodman, Ari Meerson and Jonathan Miller. Sandy Cash had her audience enthralled. Irish Cream, Jug of Punch, Marianne Navon, the Mojo Blues band, and many others gave us what we came for.

There have been rumors that an attempt might be under way to find a larger venue for next year's festival. I hope this is not the case, as Karei Deshe in every sense of the term hit the spot. I hope we are there next year.

--Larry Gamliel

BET SHEMESH HITS THE MUSIC CLUB CIRCUIT

Rumors of a new monthly music gathering in the Tzora area are confirmed. The "Bet Shemesh Music Nite" (BSMN) is a new, vibrant and exciting advent to the Anglo music scene in the area.

After running the music nites down south (in Beer Sheva) for nearly 7 years, I knew the benefits of conducting "get-out-of-your- houses-one-night-a-month, have-a-good-evening" musical interludes to our otherwise usual lives.

In Bet Shemesh, we have 4 or 5 English speaking niches, neatly compacted into a two square kilometer area. So, I thought it would be appropriate to break the invisible walls between them by doing regular music nites in lounge rooms in the different zones. The first, held in the Givat Savion district on 21 January, included local talents David Kenner, Arye Green, myself, ending in a great (i.e. typical!) performance by Sandy Cash. The success of the inaugural "Nite" convinced me to organise a second.

Roby Shmerling

The next BSMN took place on 5 March in the 'valley' neighborhood of Nofei Aviv, and brought forth to us the musical skills of Lori Fagelston, Bob Kenner, as well as Tzora favorite, Yoav Biran, who increased his local following with a mixture of fun & the serious during his repertoire. Tzora Folk Club hosts, Judi & Lynn Lewis, who soon had the loungees under their thumbs with their humorous storytelling and harmonious singalongs et al. Sandy turned up and did a duet with Yoav. Originally, the nite was meant to be 5 sets and ended up being 9, a total of 25 songs having being performed!

Besides the high-quality entertainment, there are 2 music trivia questions offered during the evening thus gaining even more audience participation.

In light of the current 'situation', attendees approached me at the conclusion of the two evenings with comments of approval and compliment at daringly starting this new venture at such a time. They even admitted to feeling 'good' for a change and to having a super time; it took their minds of current events.

We advertise the Tzora FC and so far, Tzora has benefited to the tune a few new regulars. The make-ups of the two musical events are different, will see a wonderful exchange of talent, I'm sure, and are complementary to one another.

--Roby Shmerling

Sarona Folk Club - April: Review

I had the pleasure of performing at the new Sarona Folk Club on Thursday and I'd like to share my thoughts with you, the folk community. First of all, I should say that Della et al have a fine establishment for a folk club venue; very classy, yet warm and friendly at the same time. They make every effort to make both performers and audience feel welcome. It takes the best of Tzora and TAFC's "heimishness," plus the table and chairs cabaret atmosphere of Karmiel folk clubs, and it works.

Unfortunately, few people came, as sometimes happens with folk clubs in general, and in these trying and security- conscious times in particular. Also, of all the Julio's Friends band members, only my daughter and I showed up. I hope the people who came to hear the whole band weren't too disappointed. Sara (my daughter) and I had a great time both performing and listening to Yoav's set. I am always happy when she wants to sing, and I welcome the opportunity to travel and sing with her whenever she feels like it. I don't "push", as they say.

Chaim Gefen

So Della, thanks for the opportunity to sing, and keep up the good work. Yoav, kol hakavod, you improve every time I see you perform and it was great duetting with you. And people, please support your local (and far-away even) folk club.

Shalom.

--Chaim Gefen and Julio's Friends

C.D. REVIEW

Charles Crosson - "Get Out Of Town"

I first heard Charles Crosson in 1997 at the old AACI folk club in Jerusalem. He performed original material but I do not recall if it had ever been recorded. Now Mr. Crosson has released a new disc via Argaman Studios, which is owned and run by Ray Scudero.

I have just finished listening to the disc and I must confess that I came away with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Crosson knows how to write poetry and compose tunes. He is sensitive and personal, touching on matters which include lost love, the environment, abused children, the beauty of nature, the state of the world, etc. In short, you will find here everything one usually finds on "folk" albums. And herein is the rub. The sincerity and sensitivity not withstanding, I've heard it before. Even if I haven't heard the exact words or melodies, I've heard their kind before. Perhaps I am spoiled, but I have become accustomed to recordings of local artists which leave an indelible impression as a result of something unique and special. I hate to have to say it, but I just didn't get that here.

I must say a word about the production and arrangements. On the surface, the songs as a whole would seem to be straightforward and not all that complicated. The production is more complex. It seems to me that virtually all of the instrumentation is recorded with some technological effect, be it chorus, reverb, etc. For instance, I do not recall a song played on a simple acoustic guitar. Guitars tend to be "doubled" with echoes of other instruments slipping and sliding in and out of the mix. This is very modern perhaps, but sometimes I found it a bit jarring when juxtaposed to the inherently acoustic nature of the material. This dichotomy is more pronounced than necessary if only because it seems to be applied unevenly throughout each track on a piecemeal basis.

The bottom line for me is that, as a matter of principle, it is always good to see local artists recording and publishing their own material, and making it available to the public. This disc is pleasant and contains meaningful material. I hope it is an indication of potential to be realized in future recordings.

--Larry Gamliel

The 6th English Song Festival, under the auspices of the Israel FolkStuff Society and AACI Jerusalem will take place at the Gerard Behar Center, Jerusalem on December 26th, 2002.

This year entries are classified either "acoustic" or "electric". Prizes will be given in each category, plus an overall winner. Registration will be accepted until October 3rd, 2002. For full details and registration information, call Larry Gamliel (053) 801-202 or Hadas (AACI) 561-7151.

Agenda for the General Meeting of Israel FolkStuff Society
to be held Wed., June 29, 2002 21:00 at Kibbutz Tzora Folk Club - prior to the music.

1. Financial report 2001 - for acceptance 2. Financial outlook for 2002 - for acceptance 3. Minutes of the Board meeting of June 15, 2001 - for acceptance 4. Election of Board (new members/old members) 5. Other business

CD's by local artists:

We want to compile a list of local artists who have put out CD's (and where they are available). We know who many of you are, but not all. Please send me an email and we will post the list in a couple of months.

Theme songs for Bible stories (a li'l humor to lighten our lives)
Noah: "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head."
Adam and Eve: "Strangers in Paradise"
Esther: "I Feel Pretty"
Job: "I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues"
Moses: "The Wanderer"
Jezebel: "The Lady is a Tramp"
Samson: "Hair"
Salome: "I Could Have Danced All Night"
Daniel: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
Joshua: "Good Vibrations"
Esau: "Born To Be Wild"
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "Great Balls of Fire!"
Jonah: "Got a Whale of a Tale"
Elijah: "Up, Up, and Away"
Methuselah: "Stayin' Alive"

MILESTONES

Condolences to: Eli Rockowitz on the loss of his father.

Happy Birthday to: Yoav Biran, Sylvia Ber, Carol Fuchs, Jonathan Jennings, Andrew Jennings, Kevin Jennings, Susan Jennings, Alan Lewis, Marc Miller, Helen Moses, Judy Oron, Rachel Ravitsky, Mike Rogoff, Ray Scudero

Good News! Ann Rachel has two songs now accessible on MP3. Please visit the site listed below to hear these just now released original songs for FREE!!! Ann Rachel's debut CD, Time Passes By, which was self-released in Jan. 2000, is still available at: www.annrachel.com

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

**Sandy Cash's new CD, EXACT CHANGE, is available for 60 NIS, plus 15 NIS shipping (per order). Send a check, along with your name and shipping information to P.O. Box 1639, Bet Shemesh, 99522. For more information, call Sandy at (02) 991-9686 or contact her at: sandycash@bigfoot.com

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

**Jill Rogoff's THE CELTIC CRADLE and ACROSS THE NARROW SEAS (ALC 129) are available on cassette and CD. Tel/Fax (02) 679-0410.

**DAY OF REST -- Rahel Jaskow's CD. Renditions of traditional and slightly off-the-beaten-track Sabbath songs. NIS 65 plus NIS 10 postage. Contact Rahel Jaskow: rjaskow@actcom.co.il

** Voice and/or flute lessons. Call Marcie Schreier: (053) 834-174.

**Computer Support. Free telephone support, and house calls. Very reasonable rates. Ben Hizak. (050) 280-644.

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 2002. The disclaimer is so that people do not "steal your article." In every case that people turn to FolkNotes for permission, we refer them directly to the author of the article. Advertisement tariffs for FolkNotes are available on request.

FolkNotes Staff: Sherry Whetstone, Larry Gamliel, Carol Fuchs, and Cecile Panzer