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I�ve been a fan of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band for many years because their leader is the former cantor of our synagogue and I�ve been to several parties and services where they have electrified all of us celebrants with their contagious joie de vivre and virtuoso playing and singing. Rabbi Joe Black was new to me and as soon as I heard his mellifluous voice, exuberant phrasing and original lyrics, I was smitten.

I love this CD. The joyous celebratory spirit of Rabbi Joe Black and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band perfectly matches the national mood of progressives in a post-Obama election.

The one serious song on this CD, Faith is not a Flag, is achingly inspiring as it profiles three people who embody the true selfless meaning of faith.

I�ve always found the Dreidel song to be boring, but the yodel version of it on this CD is a hoot!

Reviewed by Terry Soto, BuzzFlash.com

Description from CD Case:

EIGHT NIGHTS OF JOY

Rabbi Joe Black with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band

One magical night... The sixth night of Chanukah, 5767 (December 20, 2006), Temple Sholom, Chicago, Illinois. Rabbi Joe Black, a leading voice in contemporary American Jewish music, and The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, one of the world�s premier klezmer ensembles, came together for a very special family Chanukah concert that had been years in the making. This live recording captures the exuberance of Rabbi Joe�s music and the energy and creative genius of some of the world�s top klezmer musicians. This CD serves up a tasty mixture of traditional and contemporary Chanukah tunes, favorite Rabbi Joe songs, and classic klezmer cuts, in styles that range from rock n� roll to bluegrass, funk to jazz fusion, traditional klezmer to Ladino to country yodeling. And it all works seamlessly in a joyous celebration of Chanukah!

TRACK LIST
1. Eight Nights of Joy
2. Crazy Dreydl
3. Open the Gates (Pitchu Li)
4. Chanukah Lights
5. Soufganiot
6. Galitzianer vs. Litvak
7. Ocho Kandelikas
8. Yodel Dreydl
9. Little Dreydl
10. Who Led the Slaves Out?
11. Faith Is Not a Flag (Duomo)
12. Build a Sukkah
13. Abi Gezunt
14. Kolomeikes
15. Shine
16. Leave a Little Bit Undone
17. Yoshke
18. Judah Maccabee
19. Candle Blessings
20. Chanukah Sing-Along Medley
Total running time: 66 minutes, 56 seconds

Background information:
What is "Klezmer music"? Klezmer--a Yiddish word for a folk musician--refers to traditional Jewish dance melodies from Eastern Europe. The lost art of the klezmer has been revived over the past three decades as part of the World Music movement. Traditionally played at weddings and other celebrations, klezmer music has now become part of the performance arts repertoire and includes songs of the Yiddish theatre in addition to folk music.

As Jewish immigrants came to America, they brought this style with them, but quickly they adapted it to American tastes and instrumentation. The result? A very organic fusion of everything from Russian dances, Chassidic drinking songs and Hungarian gypsy bravado blended with Dixieland, early jazz and swing and even a Yiddishe Rhumba! Because of this, a klezmer concert is a true variety show.

The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band has been one of the Midwest's premiere Klezmer Bands for over twenty years. Performing both for public concerts in the U.S. and worldwide, and for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other private parties, Maxwell Street has been central to the revival of traditional Jewish music in the Midwest. It is one of the true Klezmer "Big Bands," recalling the rich, jazzy sounds of the Swing Era.

Rabbi Joe Black, a vibrant force in today's contemporary Jewish music scene! A dynamic performer, lyrical composer, and accomplished musician, Rabbi Black has produced several critically acclaimed albums of Jewish music, a songbook and two videos. His CDs reflect his skillful guitar playing, his thoughtful original lyrics, and smooth, silky vocals. Rabbi Black has received numerous honors for his performances and compositions. He was recognized by Moment Magazine as one of the top ten male performers in Contemporary American Jewish music, as well as one of the top ten children's performers in American Jewish music.

Rabbi Black serves as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a position he assumed in August of 1996.

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