Alicia Svigals / Fidl Afire

I remember vividly the release of Svigals' ground-breaking "Fidl" recording in 1997. It was the first post-revival release of a klezmer album where the fiddle was lead, claiming a tradition perhaps last captured at its peak on vinyl by Leon Schwartz. Following other traditional-style recordings, including an incendiary recording of Beregovski repertoire with pianist Uli Geissendoerfer in 2018, Svigals again defines modern klezmer with a new recording, "Fidl Afire," featuring original compositions, traditional arrangements, and tunes by masters from the middle of the last century. We're not formal anymore, exploring older music with a traditional ensemble. This time, it's a full-on American klezmer party!

From the powerful solo "Fidl afire fantasy" that kicks off the album, Svigals champions the fiddle as the powerful expressive klezmer lead instrument. Whether she is playing with the Boston or New York Allstars gathered for this recording, Svigals brings out the best in her bands. I, myself, am more partial to the numbers where she let's loose, as on "Alicia's Patsh Tants," or the amazing fluidity of Mack Shopnick & Sam Musiker's "Feter max's Bulgar." In all events, whether it is Aaron Alexander or Grant Smith drumming, the dance beat is complex, impeccable, and always danceable.

There is one vocal on the album. Vera Lozinsky notes a familiar passage of time, "Mayn mamma ver ikh" (I'm becoming my mother"). I am now old enough to understand the universality of the song. Other than that, and the opening doina, though, this is mostly a dance album, and welcome for it. Listen to the "MacDowell Freylekhs" for example, with its swing and it's beat (this may be the only Freylekhs out there dedicated to the famed artists hidewaway). The one song that seems subdued to me is the fluid "Oy Tate", where, I am more used to the beat pausing for a loud "Oy Tate"—here, the musicians seem more restrained. Then the album closes with a Dave Tarras classic, the "South Fallsburg Bulgar," full steam ahead. There are many amazing klezmer violinists, but there is nobody like Svigals and this recording demonstrates how special that still is.

Reviewed by Ari Davidow, 31 December 2024 .

Songs

1. Fidl Afire Fantasy (Alicia Svigals) 2:20
2. Lebedik (trad) 2:50
   
3. Levitt Bulgar (trad) 3:18
   
4. Trinkt Briderlekh Lekhayim (trad) 4:08
   
5. Alicia's Patsh Tants (Alicia Svigals) 2:27
   
6. Mayn Mame Ver Ikh—I'm Becoming My Mother (Alicia Svigals) 3:32
   
7. Feter Max's Bulgar (Mack Shopnick and Sam Musiker) 2:58
   
8. Dybbuk Honga (Alicia Svigals) 3:11
   
9. MacDowell Freylekhs (Alicia Svigals) 3:46
   
10. Oy Tate/Rebns Nign (trad) 5:06
    
11. South Fallsburg Bulgar (Dave Tarras) 3:31