CD Review
Artist: Geoff Berner
Album: Klezmer Mongrels
Label: Jericho Beach Music
Released: January 27th, 2009

Reviewed by Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent)

Vancouver’s own Geoff Berner’s latest album Klezmer Mongrels has just been released in Canada after being released in Europe back in October. Klezmer is a tradition of secular Jewish music, developed in Southeastern Europe. In 2004, Berner began his musical journey through the genre with a trip to rural Romania. He returned with a deeper understanding of the Klezmer culture and quite a few stories to tell. Since then he has recorded three albums exploring the possibilities of klezmer/punk/folk/dance.

This is the third album in Berner’s “Whiskey Rabbi” trilogy, which have all been recorded with the traditional sound of accordion, fiddle and percussion to accompany Berner’s vocal ramblings. The songs attempt to bring traditional Jewish folk music together with modern words and issues, and the results are definitely mixed. The music itself is alive and voracious, and Berner’s lyrics often have a comedic effect.  For instance, on ‘Half German Girlfriend’ he muses: “The Nazi and the Orthodox Jew/would both be disgusted if they knew/about the dirty things we do”.

For the most part, Klezmer Mongrels is about the combination of booze and women… and traditional klezmer music, of course.  While Berner’s intentions are creative, Klezmer Mongrels is not for the musically faint of heart and might be much better heard live with a few pints of beer in hand. 

To check out a complete listing of Geoff Berner’s Canadian Tour dates in February and March, you can check out his website at www.geoffberner.com

Track Listing
Shut In
Luck In Exile
Half German Girlfriend
King of the Gangsters
No Tobacco
Play, Gypsy, Play
Authentic Klezmer Wedding Band
One Shoe
High Ground
Fukher

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