Sanda Weigl

From the opening, percussion-accompanied "Trenule masina mica", Weigl grabs attention and never lets go. Her voice is expressive, strong, beautiful. The music is amazing.

With an all-star band including Basya Schechter, Alicia Svigals, Matt Darriau, Marc Ribot, Robert Rodriguez, Alex Fedoriouk, Anthony Coleman, Roy Nathanson, and the rest of the Knitting Factory crowd, this the perfect blend of unusual (to American ears) songs and rhythms and wonderful instrumentation. Listen to Alicia Svigals and the keyboard players as they catch fire on "Ciulaendra" as Sanda sings and calls out. In a similar vein is "Butelcuta mea", more shouted than sung, but brilliant. Still, there are plenty of occasions to consider Weigl's lovely voice, as on the haunting, quieter "Lume, Lume" or the dreamy "Pina cind nu te iubeam," an ancient gypsy song "lamenting the pain of love." The play between her lament and Alex Fedoriouk's cimbalon on "Cine iubeste si lasa" is incredible, as well.

This is traditional music at its best: crisply, wonderfully performed by a brilliant exuberant singer, and an incredible band comfortable with the edges. And like the music I like to write about best, there is a life overflowing on this CD that makes one stand up and dance joyously around the room. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ari Davidow, 5/24/04

Songs

1. Trenule masina mica 3:20
2. Lume, lume 4:35
3. Ciuleandra Recrutii
4. Butelcuta mea 1:47
5. Pina cind nu te iubeam 4:29
6. Cintec din Oasi 2:50
7. Cine iubeste si lasa 4:03
8. Bun ii vinu ghiurghiuliu 3:19
9. Valeleu 2:22
10. Cintec de leagan 4:04