The Butcher's Share

If The Klezmatics were the pre-eminent klezmer band of the 1990s, I suspect Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird might be the equivalent cutting-edge band of today. There's an informed respect for tradition with a radical energy and strong lyrics. Vocalist, accordionist, guitarist and composer Daniel Kahn was born in the US, but has been living in Berlin since 2005. After the American klezmer revival of The Klezmorim, Kapelye, The Klezmatics and others, the centre of creativity has shifted to Europe – notably to Berlin, where Jewish culture was once largely eradicated following Kristallnacht in November 1938.

The punningly-titled ‘The Butcher's Sher’ is one of many thought-provoking songs that reflect on Jewish history and life. The words are mostly in English, although there's Yiddish too, and often the songs switch from one language to the other. The instrumentalists, including Christian David (clarinets) and Jake Shulman-Ment (violin), are superb, and there are notable guests such as singers Lorin Sklamberg and Michael Alpert.