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May I Kiss Your Hand: Hungarian & Gypsy Fiddle Music & Songs
Csokolom
May I Kiss Your Hand: Hungarian & Gypsy Fiddle Music & Songs
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (20) - Disc #1

The debut album from Csokolom is bursting with festive dance tunes, haunting laments, and a recurring Gypsy influence. The shuffling fiddle and walking bass that kick off "Amari Szi, Amari" wouldn't be out of place in a So...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Csokolom
Title: May I Kiss Your Hand: Hungarian & Gypsy Fiddle Music & Songs
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Arhoolie Records
Original Release Date: 11/17/1998
Release Date: 11/17/1998
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Jazz, Pop
Styles: World Dance, Europe, Eastern Europe
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 096297046920

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The debut album from Csokolom is bursting with festive dance tunes, haunting laments, and a recurring Gypsy influence. The shuffling fiddle and walking bass that kick off "Amari Szi, Amari" wouldn't be out of place in a Southern American string band, but when arranger-musician Anti von Klewitz comes in with her distinctive lilting voice we are transported to another land. While concentrating on traditional Hungarian instrumentals and songs such as the gorgeous gem "Szerelem," von Klewitz also leads this accomplished group of violin, viola, kontra (Hungarian chord violin), and double bass players through original songs in several languages. A solid grounding in traditional music informs the single four-hour session, during which most of the material was recorded, lending it an energetic cohesiveness. American listeners who have pricked up their ears for the sounds of the Hungarian band Muzsikas (with Marta Sebestyen) or Finland's Varttina will be pleased. --Peter Irvine

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CD Reviews

5 Stars is not enough! This album is mesmerizing!
06/13/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My husband bought this album on a whim a few months ago. Since then, it's rarely been out of our CD player, except when one of us sneaks it to work. It's a wonderful fusion of modern fiddle playing and Gypsy tunes, a combination of virtuoso jazz violin and music ethnography. Anti von Klewitz delivers an astonishing performance, singing in three different languages while she bows and plucks complicated rhythms and melodies on her violin. I can only imagine what a live performance must be like! The liner notes provide translations of the songs as well as brief comments on their origins. I was left panting for more and have since purchased other gypsy and fiddle albums, but they pale in comparison. I eagerly await Csokolom's next release, or I will have to make the trip to Europe to hear them live."
Hair-raising!
J. Grgurich | 08/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"just saw them in concert, bought the cd and have been playing it just about nonstop ever since. terrific energy, terrific variety. bravo to arhoolie for bringing this one out."
Amazing Hungarian Gipsy Fiddle Music
J. Grgurich | Arlington, VA United States | 03/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This trio of musicians produces the most hypnotic Gipsy fiddle music I've ever heard. The rhythms and language take you to an older time and an older place. The lead singer and lead violin player is a woman by the name of Anti von Klewitz. Her voice and melodic violin playing are standout and extraordinarily entrancing. She sings in Hungarian, Serbo-Croation and Rumanian. The trio is rounded out by a contra (chord) violin player, and a stand-up bass player. This is simply the best East-European style folk music I've ever heard."