Ivo Papasov & His Orchestra - Orpheus Ascending (CD)

All Music Guide

A little while before the klezmer explosion of the 90's there was Ivo Papasov and his Bulgarian Wedding Band. More Bulgarian than klezmer per se, this music nonetheless evokes a similar spirit, especially with Papasov's frenetically intense and beautiful clarinet runs and vocalist Maria Karafizieva's impassioned singing. He employs an electric and slightly funky rhythm section which, while arguably diluting the true nature of the music, does serve to make it extremely listener friendly, providing a solid ground for the wilder instrumental forays. The compositions tend to alternate from whiplash tempos to languidly mournful dirges; for every joyful wedding there's a sad funeral. No post-modern self-consciousness here, his band skitters through the rapid dances with a barely contained exuberance and shows deep respect on the laments. Papasov's solo feature, "Ivo's Dream", is a breathtaking showcase of his control, depth of feeling and sheer virtuosity and Nechko Neshev's accordion work i...s a joy throughout. Listeners who enjoyed many of the jazz/rock/klezmer hybrids which manifested in the 90's on labels like Tzadik owe it to themselves to check out one of the antecedents to that music, this hugely fun wedding band. Orpheus Ascending is a marvelous, impossible-to-dislike album. - Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide Read more Less