This page features reviews of a bunch of compliation albums that don't quite fit into the other categories of world music that are reviewed on Slipcue.Com. As my interest in some of these styles broadens, I may expand some of these reviews into larger sections of their own, but for now, this seems like a nice spot to tuck them all together.

Various Artists "THE BRIDE'S JOYS AND SORROWS: SONGS AND BALLADS OF THE MOROCCAN JEWS" (Global Village, 1994)
These ancient tunes, sung a capella by the woman of Tetuan, Morocco, are undeniably authentic, yet probably too stark in their rendering to be of interest outside of devoted cultural historians, or the most diehard listeners. It's cool on a folkloric level, but I couldn't listen to it for very long.

Various Artists "FROM AVENUE A TO THE GREAT WHITE WAY: YIDDISH & AMERICAN POPULAR SONGS FROM 1914-1950" (Columbia Legacy, 2002)
This fine 2-CD set traces the growth of Jewish American popular music from its roots as an Eastern European dance style, through the thriving Yiddish theatre scene, and into its role as one of the pillars of modern American pop. The first CD may be rough going for the Yiddish-impaired; very "ethnic" sounding, and slightly impenetrable, although it does feature rare recordings by many of the genre's biggest stars -- Molly Picon, Abe Moscowitz, and klezmer pioneer Abe Schwartz (see above). Disc Two kicks off with an Irving Berlin song, and proceeds straight into the American mainstream, and an increasingly English-speaking and bilingual mileaux. Eddie Cantor, Fannie Brice, Sophie Tucker, Benny Goodman and the Gershwin sibs all get their due, and a parade of great recordings zip by. Some of the skits are hilarious, but as they are chosen for historical relevance as well as artistic content, some listeners (depending on their temprament) may find the content -- particularly the ethnic stereotypes that thrived in the vaudeville and Catskills theatre circuits. Anyone who wants to research this subject, though, will find this collection invaluable. Great liner notes -- both informative and hilarious -- by producer Harry Sapoznik.

Various Artists "KLEZMER MUSIC -- EARLY YIDDISH INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: 1908-1927" (Arhoolie, 1997)
Various Artists "YIKHES: LINEAGE - EARLY KLEZMER RECORDINGS 1911-1939" (Trikont, 1996)
Jewish klezmer music, even in its modernized, toned-down form, might not be for everyone... Still, this infectious dance style can be incredibly captivating, filled with dazzling clarinet solos and inventively bouncy melodies. For anyone who's already a fan of the style, these two CDs are a must. They come from UC Berkeley professor Martin Schwartz's vast collection of rare 78s, and each volume features some of the most stunning early Jewish music set on wax at the start of the 20th Century. These CDs are also an invaluable historical resource, since many of these recordings are unique, and no other original copies exist other than the ones that went into the creation of these collections... For an ecstatic and authoritative look at the major pioneers of the style, this is where to look.

Various Artists "MUSIC FROM THE YIDDISH RADIO PROJECT" (Shanachie, 2002)
Music literally salvaged from the scrap-heap of history... This disc collects some of the highlights of an NPR radio series that looked back at the golden age of Yiddish-language radio broadcasts, when Jewish-American immigrants from Eastern European still had a sizeable ethnic enclave, complete with newspapers, magazines, theatre and radio programs that kept the language of "the old country" alive. Some of these artists flirted with fame outside the boundaries of the enclave, but mostly they were celebrities within this cultural bubble. A fascinating look back at one of America's most vibrant immigrant cultures.

Various Artists "PUTUMAYO PRESENTS: A JEWISH ODYSSEY" (Putumayo, 2000)
Europe, Asia and the Americas provide the material for this straightforward, 11-song overview. As might be expected from the Putumayo label, this disc is, generally speaking, a bit softer and less challenging (or, "more accessible," if you prefer...) than your average klez-fest. And that's fine, really: this stuff isnÕt the easiest music to get into, so a selection like this might be an ideal entry point. Ofra Haza, The Klezmatics, Chava Alberstein and the Klezmer Conservatory Band are among the better-known artists on here... Some of the tunes may be a little bland, but it's a good introduction.