Contents: Is Clapping Enough? Shine On; The South Will Rise Again; JL

Is Clapping Enough?

   Boy, aren’t we lucky?! (I know I’ve already started an article this way once…) We are indeed lucky! We’re lucky to have wonderful talented singers and musicians who sing and play for us at the folk clubs for free. Why do they do it? Because of us, their wonderful audience, of course: we clap, we harmonize, we smile and cheer, we pat them on the shoulders afterwards and shower them with compliments. We show our support.
   But is this enough? Can our performers say: “Boy, aren’t we lucky to have such an audience?” I guess this is how they might think:
“It’s true, they listen attentively, they respect and encourage us, but as far as supporting us? Mmm… We would appreciate their support also in a more substantial way.”
   Singers/musicians who perform for free – those for whom music is a sideline and even more so those who earn their living from music - do so not only because they enjoy it and enjoy our warm response but also because in their hearts they hope that the saying “Cast your bread on the waters for one day you will find it” (free translation) or, in other words, “What goes around comes around” will one day come true (and better sooner than later).
Who knows, maybe therein lies the reason why some have stopped performing at the folk clubs; maybe they have become disillusioned over the years seeing that no “bread” came their way via the folk clubs’ audiences.
   It’s true that the Tel Aviv Folk Club charges NIS30 admission per person, which is the price for all cultural activities held there (dancing is NIS5 less, but the TAFC is not a dancing activity), but this fee goes to the Tel Aviv municipality and the musicians don’t get anything at all (ditto the organizer, by the way).
   So what can we, the audience, do to practically and actively show our support? Let me count the ways:
   1. We can start by going to their concerts – whether in a hall or a pub or a home. These gigs do bring them money. We can also offer our homes (and they needn’t be huge) for home concerts and invite a few friends and their friends who aren’t regular folk club goers. (The Lerners and the Matmons are great examples.)
   2. We can invite them to perform when we’re throwing a party or celebrating a happy family occasion, and we can recommend them to relatives and friends or even to our employers who are planning a party. I’m sure all of them charge less than Rita does...
   3. We can buy their discs for ourselves or as presents for people we like. Their discs aren’t like any other merchandize: it’s their pride and joy, their “baby” that required a sometimes considerable financial investment on their parts. As Noah Zacharin said in his last home concert at the Lerners: “The more you buy the ones I’ve made, the sooner I can start making the next.” Sandy Cash said something similar, too.
   To end this article, and before you jump to any conclusions such as “Yeah, yeah, she has a CD cooking in the oven too,” no, I don’t. But if one day I do – some of you had better buy it! (she whispered pleadingly)

--Ariela Orion

(organizer of the Tel Aviv Folk Club)

Shine Trio - Sunrise in Greenfields

Once in a great while one attends a musical event where the ambiance of the setting becomes such an integral part of the performance that it truly achieves synthesis with the performers and their music. The May 13^th candlelight performance by the Shine Trio at the Tabgha Church of the Loaves and Fishes was just such an occasion. The setting/musical synthesis went far beyond the acoustics of this magnificent structure.

My friends and I arrived after dark and were greeted by a candlelit path leading into a cloistered courtyard lit by large flat candles. The church itself was illuminated by candles in chandeliers hanging from the roof and on the walls, complete with robed monks attending to them with long poles. The only artificial light in the entire building was the minimal stage lighting, golden in color to match the candlelight. The dimly lit, medieval-style sanctuary and the acoustic resonance of the building combined to elevate a superb performance to another dimension entirely.

The Shine Trio is a Scottish ensemble playing a mixture of traditional Scottish/Gaelic songs and contemporary jazz melodies with a dash of classical sound thrown in for good measure. Mary MacMaster and Corrina Hewat are accomplished harpists and vocalists, while Karine Polwort provides vocals and acoustic guitar.

For this performance, Mary played a Camac electro-harp, an instrument that I am totally unfamiliar with, while Corrina played an acoustic “Small Harp.” The trio blended instrumental rhythms and vocal harmonies together in a single set lasting more than 90 minutes. Their repertoire for the performance consisted primarily of Scottish folk melodies. Contemporary interpretations of this traditional music combined with modern jazz sounds made for a varied presentation. The vocal harmonies were both smooth and vibrant.

IFS ADDRESS:

IFS has a new/different address:

I.F.S.

P.O.B. 10246

Jerusalem, 91102

However, what I found most fascinating was the manner in which these artists used their harps to create both rhythm and harmonies. I was seated in the first row in the transept of the church, alongside the stage and slightly behind the performers. This allowed me to view the intricate finger work close-up as well as to hear the acoustic harp without amplification.

One song in particular haunts me. While I cannot remember the title, it was a modern composition intertwining several melodies, in an almost discordant manner, to recall life at the Bedlam Insane Asylum. One of these melodies, surprisingly, sounded very much like the American folk tune Lily of the West.

All in all, this performance was an unforgettable experience and I certainly hope that the Shine Trio returns to Israel in the near future.

--Richard Levine

Jacob’s Ladder

With all the favourable comments about Jacob’s Ladder on the Israel Folk Community List, I was really surprised not to receive a single review article for the FolkNotes.

As has been said by many, JL was a smashing success this year. Thanks again to Menachem and Yehudit and family for all their hard work. It really paid off.

Real attention was paid to all of the comments and complaints from previous years. The grounds were set up differently – camping was spread out and not in the stage area; “mangalim” were relegated to areas that would not affect the majority of the participants in the festival; stages were moved so that there was lots more room to wander around, and much more safely.

Even the music was more varied. There was lots of Irish for those who love it, but not all concentrated on the Friday night stage. The foreign talent was excellent (of course). It was as if I had written a wish list. And we can’t let the jams in the lobby go unmentioned – simply wonderful. A great place to pick up new talent for the Folk Clubs.

My main complaint: not enough time for “up-and-coming” new talent on the amateur stage. Many people showed up and then decided they want to try their luck.

As usual, there was not enough time to see/hear everything i wanted to.

I can truly say that even Larry would not have had any complaints – that’s the highest compliment of all.

--cf

I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE

(hint: one invoice for both office & home delivery)

- Mey Eden water cooler

- Lavazza coffee machine

- Nestle or Pauza beverage dispenser

- FreshCUP 30 second cup washer

- Ultrawash medical washer disinfector

- Home & commercial gym equipment

Just call Harold at

(055) 660-084 or email him at: harold@meyeden.co.il

MILESTONES

Happy Birthday to: Carol Fuchs, Paul Graham, Susan Jennings, Andrew Jennings, Jonathan Jennings, Kevin Jennings, Alan Lewis, Marc Miller, Helen Moses, Rahel Ravitsky, Mike Rogoff, Lucia Wesley

Condolences to Paul Moore on the death of his mother

Ray and Joanna’s disk:

Poor Working Slob

is out of print. If you want to order a copy of the next printing, please send an email to Joanna:

joannak1@netvision.net.il

Here at last!

Jill Rogoff’s new album:

The King’s Well

all original songs and poem-settings

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 2004.

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: Bev Burge, Sherry Whetstone, Carol Fuchs, and Cecile Panzer

C A L E N D A R

June 2004

JERUSALEM AREA:

Israel Dulcimer Society has resumed Sunday (or occasionally Monday) night weekly sessions. Dust off your dulcimer and join us. Or, if you want to try out other instruments to see how they sound with dulcimers, speak up. For general information, contact Dena at (02) 561-8910 or Judi at (02) 679-8448.

Thursday, June 10^th 8:30 pm. JERUSALEM FOLK CLUB, with Barberina, Elazar (Larry) Brandt, Roby Shmerling and the Unstrung Heroes. At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Auditorium. Admission NIS 25/20. For information call Carol (053) 850-098.

TEL AVIV AREA:

Wednesday, June 2^nd 8:30pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB. Farewell to Della Littwin of Sarona. with Laurie Ornstein, Judi Ganchrow and Dena Maltinsky and others. Admission NIS 30. Bikurei Ha'itim, 6 Heftman St. For information call Ariela (03) 683-7441.

Wednesday, June 2 - Barberina will appear at the Kenes Makhelot in Kfar Saba, with three or four additional choruses.

Tuesday, June 15^th 8:30pm. Tontine Comes to the Big City: the Jerusalem-based vocal ensemble will be giving a full concert in Tel Aviv at the Felicia Blumenthal Music Center auditorium, Rehov Bialik 26. Tickets cost NIS 50/40 (NIS 25 for members of Hallel, the choral organization). We'll be singing a selection of our favorite songs of the past 400 years in styles ranging from madrigals and motets to jazz and folk.

Wednesday, June 16^th8:30pm. TEL AVIV FOLK CLUB - with an early break from 9:15-9:45. At 9:45pm Momentum band with Aaron Leitner and friends. At 10:15-11:15pm Emerald - Bracha Ben Avraham's (bouzouki and vocals) new Irish band with Elisha Avshalom (whistles and flutes), Shay Tochner (guitar and harmonica ) and Maayan Carmeli (fiddle). Admission NIS 30. Bikurei Ha'itim, 6 Heftman St. For information call Ariela (03) 683-7441.

KIBBUTZ TZORA and area

Tuesday, NOT Monday, June 1^st 8:15pm. BET SHEMESH MUSIC NITE at Hashushan 18A. With Ron Squire and Cyrelle Forman-Sofer. NIS 12. For full details call Roby (02) 999-2106.

Thursday, June 3^rd 7pm. The amazing ATAR Trio (Yuli on cello, Tania on violin and Ofer on piano) together with the wonderful soprano singer Yeela Avital will be performing singable Israeli music as well as beautiful chamber music. At the Trachtman family homestead, Ramat Raziel. NIS 40 per adult, NIS 20 per child with a maximum of NIS 100 per family. For more information, you can view the poster announcing this family concert at http://trachtman.name/concert/atar_concert.jpg.

The poster is in both Hebrew and English. Please RSVP to Dina 02.534-1721.

And invite others to come.. Especially children.

Monday, June 28^th 8:15pm, BET SHEMESH MUSIC NITE at Hashushan 12B. With Hagay

Amir, Howie Metz and Josh Becker. NIS 12. For further details call Roby (02) 999-2106.

Wednesday, June 30^th 9pm. KIBBUTZ TZORA FOLK CLUB in the Pundak. We will be celebrating Lynn’s birthday. For information call Judi & Lynn Lewis (02) 990-8382 or (051) 348-061, email them at judilynn@tzora.co.il or see their website at www.oocities.org/tzorafolk

KARMIEL and North

Thursday June 3^rd 9pm. KARMIEL FOLK KLUB. Farewell to Della plus Shay, Bracha, and Miri from Emerald, Diane & Ada, Jug O' Punch. At Beit HaNoar Matnas. Admission NIS 30.

For more information call Larry Rosenfeld at (04) 990-2455 or (053) 414-544,

or see his website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

Try to get your information to us for the Calendar, as early as possible, so we can meet publication deadlines (15^th of each month). Contact Carol to register an event or to receive the (more or less) twice-weekly email updates, carolf@savion.huji.ac.il

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June 2004

Folk Notes

(organizer of the Tel Aviv Folk Club) Shine Trio - Sunrise in Greenfields

MILESTONES

The King’s Well

(organizer of the Tel Aviv Folk Club)

Shine Trio - Sunrise in Greenfields