The Chopped Liver River Band
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The Chopped Liver River Band has recorded its first CD, A Shmear of Chopped Liver. It is now available for sale. Locally the CD will be available at the Temple office. Otherwise, please click and go to CD BABY to listen to cuts and order securely. |
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A Shmear of Something New and Old
These days everyone is worried about how to conserve energy,
trash and resources. But somewhere between giving old clothes to Goodwill and
recycling old newspapers, we find things of the past that were lost but not
forgotten. Everyday trends that were once hip become “uncool” and things that
had become passé become trendy again. Music being recycled and remixed is fairly
easy to come across, but to find something that is rich in history, heritage,
memory, and culture is a little bit harder to find.
For those of us lucky enough to live in the Lancaster area we don’t have to look
any further for something old becoming new again than the Chopped Liver River
Band. This music ensemble formed 7 years ago and has since morphed into the
13-member group ranging in age from 12-81 playing traditional klezmer, big band,
light jazz, Yiddish songs, Jewish show tunes and much more. All of the members
of the band are also members of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, located at the
corner of Duke and James streets in downtown Lancaster. The synagogue and
congregation are rich with history and culture as well, being the fourth oldest
Jewish community in the country. The group plays at various venues and events in
the Central Pennsylvania region, gaining followers and fans as they go.
In the United States, klezmer music dates back to the late 1800’s and early
1900’s, brought to America from Eastern European immigrants. The eclectic music
lost popularity for many years but had a revival in the 1960’s along with many
other styles of music that spoke to culture rather than musical form. Klezmer
music brings together various string, woodwind, brass, and percussion
instruments in an up-tempo beat that you just can’t sit still to. So just as
bell-bottom jean, neon colored fashions and swing dancing come around in their
time, the traditional and fun Chopped Liver River Band brings about a new
generation of klezmer music lovers.
To experience the wonderful tradition of klezmer music for yourself, try
“A Shmear of Chopped
Liver” the debut album by the Chopped Liver River Band. The CD is a sampling
of music from Lancaster's one and only klezmer band. CDs can be purchased
from the Shaarai Shomayim’s
gift shop.
Hannah Rowley