by Jim Kelly

Who: Beyond The Pale
What: Klezmer music with a modern edge
Where: Toronto, ON
To Contact: 645-B Mt. Pleasant Rd. #2, Toronto, ON M4S 2M9 (416) 482-2699, FAX (416) 482-3107, info@beyondthepale.net, www.beyondthepale.net.

Beyond The Pale is a musical collective that specializes in klezmer music, the traditional folk music most commonly associated with eastern European Jews, but which also crosses paths with Ukrainian, Romanian, Balkan and gypsy folk music. The Toronto-based ensemble was founded in 1998 by Eric Stein (mandolin, tsimbl) and includes Anne Lindsay (violin), Sasha Luminsky (accordion), Martin van de Ven (clarinets) and Bret Higgins (bass). Their debut CD, Routes, produced by Danny Greenspoon, is a rich musical experience, which, like a lot of great music from around the world, can touch your soul with its plaintive melodies, while at the same time enticing you to kick off your shoes and dance your burdens away. Sporting original compositions and a fresh take on traditional tunes, the group’s approach is also informed by a deep appreciation and feel for North American music. “We’re kind of mixing in influences here the same way they did in Europe a hundred years ago,” explains Stein. “I grew up listening to rock and reggae and bluegrass and all sorts of things, and those influences can’t help coming out.” You might say they’re extending the traditions of klezmer in a decidedly contemporary way. Check out cross-cultural splicings like the reggae-ish “ChasenJah”, (ever wonder what Bob Marley would have sounded like had he been born in Eastern Europe?) and the funky “Gyration”. Born of tradition but living in the here and now, Beyond The Pale gives Routes music a whole new meaning.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 10th, 2001 at 9:42 am and is filed under Showcase. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.