Yiddish Insight

Charming, delightful, and surprising, it evokes and energizes dim memories and resurrects the full emotional impact of memories still fresh. And LEVINE MIT DEIN FLYING MACHINE was startling in its evocation of a time when Jews were desperate for acceptance, and went to great efforts to memorialize the accomlpishments of Jewish Americans in song and otherwise, no longer content to remain outside looking in. I bought several CD’s and gave them as gifts, which were big hits with all.
Rating: 5 / 5

Yiddish radio programs were heard coast to coast in our nation for decades on many radio stations. The music was often very appealing and this CD gives us both traditional Yiddish music along with another type of Yiddish music clearly designed to assimilate Yiddish music into a more Americanized “swing” culture.

Sam Medoff and The Yiddish Swing Orchestra perform “The Bridegroom Special” so well; love that swingin’ beat! You can hear traditional Yiddish music being mixed with elements of American swing on this very good track. “Second Avenue Square Dance” by The Dave Tarras Orchestra has a lot of surface noise but it’s still a good track anyway. Again you can hear traditional Yiddish music mixed with American swing. Great! In addition, The Barry Sisters sing “Oh Mama, I’m So In Love” with Sam Medoff and the Yiddish Swingtet. The Barry Sisters were young when they recorded this; and they never sounded better!

The Andrews Sisters, who were certainly not in the Yiddish community, scored a major, major hit with their fantastic “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.” The Andrews Sisters really make this number swing and the overall effect is pure electricity! “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” uses the brass well to enhance the beauty of this melody.

“Dona Dona” is a classic older Yiddish number and we get it here by Moishe Oysher and Shalom Secunda. The tempo is faster than normal but the song retains its beauty just fine. Moreover, there’s also “Yidel mitn Fiedel” sung again by The Barry Sisters with Sam Medoff and The Yiddish Swingtet. “Dayenu” by Sam Medoff also sounds great in his competent hands.

Something I really find interesting is the collection of radio commercials also on this CD. Listen for them all; but the “Manischewitz Matzo Commercial,” the “Hebrew National Meats Commercial” and the “Barbasol Commercial” stand out in my mind.

Henry Sapoznik contributes an informative essay for the booklet of liner notes; and we get the song credits, too. I really like the black and white photos in the booklet.

Overall, Music From The Yiddish Radio Project is practically a necessity for anyone who wants to study early ethnic radio programs in our country; and many Jewish people will find this CD to be interesting as well. I myself enjoyed this music very much–it’s very, very well done.
Rating: 5 / 5

How do you rate something that until recently, no one knew existed — and the voices on the CD are liking both living and dying history, vital voices for a Yiddish-speaking community that dwindles daily. Buying it for the whole family.
Rating: 5 / 5