My apologies <\/strong>for<\/span><\/span> not reviewing klezmer albums more frequently. My computer keyboard needs de-icing. There’s bad weather here. But no more excuses. Here are the best Jewish recordings of 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Jews with Bagels<\/em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/span> The Klezmatics cruise down the MOR (middle of the road) here, looking for the big paycheck– the one with six bagels after the “1.” Sure hit: \u201cTiny Bagels in the Wine.”<\/p>\n 2. We Can’t Hear You.<\/em> Klezmer Conservatory Band. This beloved group still pops, babbles and spits like a newborn.\u00a0 Recorded in a nursing home, in bed, in PJs. Hef feel. Swings.<\/p>\n 3. <\/span>Music for Young Lovers<\/span> from <\/em>Northern OH<\/em>, <\/em>Western PA<\/em> and <\/em>Western NY<\/em>. <\/em>Funded by NELFTY (Northeast Lakes Federation of Temple Youth). The record is lively waltzes and ballads for teens to cruise to. \u00a0Not sure if this recording will keep the kinder<\/em> from moving to Chicago and the East Coast, but it’s worth a try.<\/p>\n 4. <\/strong><\/span>Ladder Me<\/strong><\/span> Up<\/em>. Andy Statman’s homage to The Chief. \u00a0If you buy this one, you can skip shul<\/em> for six weeks.<\/p>\n 5. The Great Hang.<\/em> Steven Greenman’s triple CD. \u00a0All originals, recorded in a single weekend (i.e. the great hang). Violinist Greenman sings on several tracks. Heavy breathing. Sexy. Not bad violin, either.<\/p>\n 6. Lee Tully vs. Billy Hodes.<\/em> Reboot. These two obscure 1950s Jewish comedians come out swinging. Tully’s version of “Essen” versus Hodes’ take.\u00a0\u00a0Two Jewish fighters in the same ring.\u00a0 You don’t see that every day unless you’re at an Orthodox shmorg (pre-wedding buffet). Hodes wins.<\/p>\n 7. Jerzy Kosinski’s Ketchup.<\/em> Daniel Kahn. What’s the difference between blood and ketchup? Are Heinz and Hunt’s the same thing? How’s the pourability? Where did green ketchup go? This recording is viscous . Check it out.<\/p>\n