Album Notes

Spiel Azoi are the most contemporary and energetic Klezmer band in Australia. With the rich voice of Sarah Mandie, awe inpsiring clarinet of Martin Mackerras, delightful improvisations and rhythms of Dave Evans on accordion, moody and creative bass lines by Mark Shepherd and Ben Hendry;s exciting drumming - Spiel Azoi are guarranteed to get you dancing and singing along. This CD is a must for all Klezmer lovers and world music efficianados.

"Shpilkes" is an excellent collection of classic Yiddish tunes and lesser known songs all reinterpreted and arranged to create a truly new sound and yet still honouring the tradition of Yiddish song and Klezmer.

Reviews

Sounds of Yiddish and Klezmer
Reviewed by Alex Dafner (SBS radio )
Australian Jewish News December 17th 2004.

Shpilkes as in the Yiddish expression "pins and needles", is the catchy title of the new CD by Melbourne Klezmer band Spiel Azoi. The 12 songs feature Yiddish and Klezmer classics such as Rumania, Rumania, Mayn Yiddishe Meydele and Az der rebbe Elymeylekh, together with some rarely heard gems including Shprayz ich mir and Birobidzhan.
There are also sweet hebraic sounds of Pisku li and Nigun Bialik., as well as toe tapping dance tunes including Lebedik un freylekh, the Ukrainian Nye Ze Ritse Chloptsi and the irrepressible Der Nayer Sher .
Singer Sarah Mandie delivers a fine vocal mix of traditional and innovative interpretations in four languages.
She is superbly accompanied by the sweet clarinet playing of Martin Mackerras and the heart-warming piano accordion of Dave Evans. While the pulsing drum beat of Ben Hendry and resonating hum of double bassist Mark Shepherd never lets you down.
Perhaps not all the pieces will please the purists, but Shpilkes is easy on the ear and those with "pins and needles" in their soul will no doubt be up dancing after the first refrain.

Biography Notes about the band

Spiel Azoi have been pleasing Australian audiences since 1998. They have performed at thrilled crowds at the Port Fairy Folk festival, Apollo Bay Music festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and Kosher Culture on Carlisle, Melbourne Festival in the Famous spiegeltent, Melbourne Fringe festival. They have toured to Regional Victoria and Sydney.

The five piece band continue to sound fresh and feisty as they blend Klezmer tunes and Yiddish songs of old with grooves and an attitude of 2004. They transform their hand picked collection of Yiddish folk and theatre songs and Klezmer folk tunes with original interpretations, soulful connection and skilful musicianship.


In 2004 Spiel Azoi have pleased audiences with two residencies at Barbukka in Fitzroy and sell out shows at The Czech Club, North Melbourne, played for Multicultural week at Federation square, live to air from Fed square with Derek Guille on ABC 774. Spiel Azoi also appeared at the Hakoah Club in Sydney.


2004 saw the release of their second "Shpilkes". It is a lively collection of original arrangements and is guaranteed to get the listener dancing with the exciting energy captured in the studio. Three Cd launches at The Boite, World Music café, The Czech Club and the Kingston Arts Centre have been sell out shows and CD sales are impressive



Testimonials

Spiel Azoi are one of the most enjoyable, entertaining
and dance infectious gypsy groups I've ever witnessed.
They bring the rich and rare vibrant energy of the
Jewish culture to the audience in a very inclusive and interactive way.
Maximum fun is a guarantee.

Carl pannuzzo, (totally gourdgeous, Those acapelicans)


What a joy to have attended your beautiful concert of klezmer and Yiddish
favourites yesterday at Hakoah Club in Sydney.
I am a great klezmer aficionado and have a large selection of klezmer and Jewish music in my collection, but guess what, since hearing you yesterday, your cd has been played constantly! I thoroughly enjoyed your live performance - which was enhanced not only by the beautiful music and your singing, but also by the facial expressions of
both you & your fellow band members. Your musicians were fantastic and your clarinettist was superb .
Your choice of repertoire gave us a chance to
enjoy humour, pathos and soul - the essence of what this music should depict and evoke and that is what Spiel Azoi did!

Robert Schneider
Chief Executive
Jewish National Fund of Australia Inc
& JNF Environmental Association of Australia Inc.
Website: www.jnf.org.au



Dear klezmorim,
My wife and I recently heard Spiel azoi play at the Hakoah club in Sydney. We had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of lively and spirited music. Your selection of music from the shtetl moved the audience and had us singing along with great feelings of nostalgia and joy. Your lead singer is
perfectly cast with a fine, jazzy voice and loads of "chein"(Charm) The clarinet danced skilfully with the piano accordion, both played by virtuoso
performers. The double bass and percussion completed a tight, competent troupe to produce a really wonderful evening of entertainment.
Thank you and kol hakavod. (All the honour)

Raphael Kahn
Sydney