Readers of a certain age may recognize the title of this spirited duet recording as a Yiddishized pronunciation of Castle Garden, located on the southern tip of Manhattan, where immigrants were processed upon their arrival in the Goldene Medina. Andres, who plays accordion, and Shutoff, a clarinetist, evoke the turn-of-the-century period with a deftly played album of well-chosen tunes from the period. They draw heavily on “International Hebrew Wedding Music,” a 1916 portfolio of tunes, and as a result have found some delightfully unfamiliar material. More important, they play with feeling and grace.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
This is the very best Klezmer music that I have come across in many years!  Kesselgarden is a landmark CD, performed by two superb musicians.  A brilliant variety of musical selections are artistically and heartfully interpreted for clarinet and accordian.  Kesselgarden deserves to be listened to over and over again.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
This is Klezmer music played with superb craftsmanship and feeling. The arrangements for clarinet and accordion are magnificent, lively and overwhelmingly original. Dances, Shers, Khosidls, Kolomeykes, Horas, Bulgars, and--hold your breath--astonishingly lovely waltzes come in for breathtaking interpretations, lovingly performed. One doesn't have to be a musician to appreciate the beauty and nuances of the music--clearly born of happy and sad moments in Europe and the United States in the early century. What a pleasure to listen to! Bravo to Carl Shutoff and Laurie Andres, who bring all this triumphantly to us!
                            Read more...