Shapiro, Paul / Essen

Review by FoPAUL SHAPIRO: Essen Tzadik, 2008 Vintage "borscht belt" Jewish comedy meets a jumping brew of hot jazz, wailing klezmer, and down 'n' dirty blues. Reviving swing-era novelties from hipsters like Slim Gaillard and Cab Calloway, the band cuts loose in madcap abandon. Vocalist Babi Floyd goes miles over the top in #3, while counterpart Cilla Owens adds equal measures of class and sass to the bluesy numbers. Great fun, especially #1 and 8. Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 1. 6:25 – hilarious music-hall tale of eating one’s way through a... [read full story]