Beyond the Pale

Best Instrumental Group
Canadian Folk Music Awards, 2005

Best World Music Group
Toronto Independent Music Awards, 2005

“First-class klezmer…a delightful musical journey…The best thing about this album – besides the impeccable playing – is that unlike many ‘world music’ collections, no two tracks are alike…’Routes’ is great for just listening, but don’t be surprised if, at some point, you feel the urge to jump up and dance.”
San Francisco Jewish News
“Beyond the Pale play with grace and style. In their hands klezmer is not a dead, ethnomusicological oddity, but a living and evolving music that they perform with sheer gusto and joy.”
Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange (www.acousticmusic.com)

“This is their first recording, but they play with such tightness and verve, you’d swear they’ve been doing this forever…Beyond the Pale prove just how adaptable Jewish folk music can be.”
Montreal Gazette

“Extremely satisfying…a revelation…an album expertly grounded, and very much of our specific time. It is post-modern klezmer, in all the best senses. Not just ‘Routes’, but ‘roots’. (grade A)
Ari Davidow (www.klezmershack.com)

“One foot in klezmer-fusion and the other resting comfortably in more traditional creations…an altogether original mix.”
Victoria Times-Colonist

“A rich musical experience which can touch your soul with its plaintive melodies, while at the same time enticing you to kick off your shoes and dance your burdens away….Born of tradition but living in the here and now, Beyond the Pale gives ‘routes’ music a whole new meaning…extending the traditions of klezmer music in a decidedly contemporary way.”
Canadian Musician Magazine

“Traditional enough to satisfy all but the most fanatic purists and experimental enough to stretch the boundaries of those traditions in some interesting new directions….A significant addition to the Klezmer revival….Highly recommended.”
Penguin Eggs Magazine

“The band’s name pretty much says it all…the recording’s real strength comes from the musicians’ willingness to incorporate unorthodox styles into the fold…the end result is undeniably captivating.”
Ottawa Citizen

“A riot of rhythm, a montage of modes, in a dynamic and highly skilled package…An interesting blend of old and new, including some fine original compositions…You don’t need to be a klezmer afficionado to enjoy it – it’s all there in the music.”
Folk Trax (Adelaide, Australia)

“The most exciting klezmer music I’ve heard in quite some time. The mix of all genres never clouds the fact that this is Jewish music.”
Michael Sherman (host of ‘Rejuvenating Heritage Website‘)

“Feel. That’s what to look for in a good Klezmer recording (or any other kind for that matter). the sad songs should be mournful, the humorous songs need to make you smile and, when the dance tunes begin, your feet should start moving by themselves. Toronto Klezmer band, Beyond The Pale, has feel in spades.

Founded in 1998 by Eric Stein (Mandolin, Tsimbl) and featuring Anne Lindsay (Violin), Sasha Luminsky (Accordion), Martin van de Ven (Clarinets), and Bret Higgins (Bass) the group is traditional enough to satisfy all but the most fanatic purists and experimental enough to stretch the boundaries of those traditions in some interesting new directions. All four melody instruments take turns ably leading the ensemble, while Higgins bounces the bottom end along. Guest Dave Wll does a fine job on Yiddish language vocals, and percussionist Rick Lazar adds a driving hypnotic world music edge to some tracks.

The disc is a significant addition to the Klezmer revival. It’s great to see Toronto continuing to produce terrific musicians and adding to the musical canon, with groups like this and The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band. Highly recommended.”
Barry Hammond, Penguin Eggs
Winter 2001

“An impressive collection displaying not only the group’s mastery of straight-ahead klezmer but also more eclectic stylings…this Toronto group is truly taking klezmer music ‘beyond the pale’.”
Winnipeg Jewish Post

No shows booked at the moment.