Streets of Gold - The Klezmorim

This West Coast klezmer revival band was way ahead of the envelope in terms of the resurgence of interest in performing and creating new interpretations of this music that would develop in New York City in the mid-'90s. For once, West Coast musicians can preen about being ahead of their competitors on the other side of the country. And a listener checking out the crisp ensemble playing, dynamic attack, and perfectly acceptable chops of this group might wonder just what, if anything, all that activity decades later would actually add to the story. The full size of this group is definitely part of its impact, as there are sometimes four horns in the lineup, matched by nearly as many violins. There are several releases by this band, some of which were reissued in the '90s on compact disc. Collectors might want to look for a vinyl copy, to better stare at the colorful and attractive cover by Robert Crumb. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide