Since its foundation in 1996 by saxophone player Job Chajes, the band has evolved rapidly. In no time the band became famous in Amsterdam for its many vibrant performances on the streets, in the parks and in the pubs. Soon the rest of The Netherlands followed: the band performed at the Oerol Festival in 1999, 2000 and 2001 to great acclaim and was invited to the Noorderslagfestival in January 2001 (the media describing their performance as 'the great surprise of the festival'), followed by the Lowlands Festival in August 2001. During the same period the band toured in Slovenia, Switzerland and Italy and completed three successful tours of Turkey.
The third CD of Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Limonchiki, was released on the New York label Knitting Factory label and the band had a grand tour of the Dutch club scene in the autumn of 2001, with as its highpoint the presentation of Limonchiki in Paradiso, Amsterdam .
In September 2003 the cd Katakofti was released. It's the result of a collaborative effort of Amsterdam Klezmer Band and the Galata Gypsy Band from Turkey . The cd was released on the Turkish world music label Kalan Records.
In january 2005 the new cd SON (Russian for ‘dream') is released, containing a veritable treasure-trove of new Amsterdam Klezmer and Balkan music.
Nowadays only part of Amsterdam Klezmer Band repertory consists of traditionals from the Balkan and Klezmer traditions. Most of the repertory has been created by the band members themselves, who all without exception contribute musically to an ever-growing melting-pot of infectious Balkan/Gypsy/Klezmer cross-overs. In this manner the band endeavours to breathe new life into the Eastern European Balkan, Klezmer and Gypsy music tradition.
The members of Amsterdam Klezmer Band are passionate musicians and well-versed in a wide range of styles. They have made their musical mark on the Dutch and European club and festival scene and are well known for their parts in various other remarkable pop, jazz and world music projects in the Netherlands , past and present, such as: Jammah Tammah, De Jongens Driest, Mendoza Dance Parti, Parels en de Funky Reddingsbrigade, Traffic Jam, Allez mama, Noujoum Raï, Cousin-x, Rickshaw Chase, Bernie's Lounge.
The wind section of the De Amsterdam Klezmer Band have participated in several studio projects, including ones by Arling & Cameron, Postmen, Normaal and Daryll Ann (two-meter sessions).
Gogol Mogol
Amsterdam Klezmer Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wherever he’s from, once in Amsterdam, he’ll go straight to the Red Light District’s coffee shops and, not so straight, back to his Bed-and-Breakfast. There he will collapse on his cot: totally brain dead.
Look! There’s the smartass; he only wants to smoke hashish and he wants to do it now! And in no time he’ll drag his feet along the Damrak, his bloodshot eyes staring at an eternity of busy passers-by. And no one notices that there’s anyone around….
Ref: Thai-Thai…
The lyrics to Amsterdam Klezmer Band's song "Gogol Mogol" depict the typical tourist experience in Amsterdam, particularly in the infamous Red Light District. The common nickname for Amsterdam, "Mokum," is attributed to a "hardcore provincial" who is described as being unfamiliar with the ways of the city. Once in Amsterdam, this person is drawn to the coffee shops in the Red Light District, where they indulge in marijuana and become completely "brain dead." The lyrics also reference the idea of the "smartass" tourist who is only interested in smoking hashish and wandering aimlessly through the crowded streets. The overall tone of the song is somewhat critical of these tourists, who are viewed as being focused solely on indulging in vices without really experiencing the city or its culture.
The chorus of the song, "Thai-Thai," serves as a sort of refrain that is repeated throughout. It could be interpreted as a nod to the pervasive influence of Eastern culture in Amsterdam, particularly through the influx of immigrants from countries such as Thailand. Overall, the song paints a somewhat bleak picture of the tourist experience in Amsterdam, with a focus on superficial pleasures and a lack of real engagement with the city or its people.
Line by Line Meaning
The person who called Amsterdam 'Mokum' was a hardcore provincial (there are plenty of those around, God knows!)
The term 'Mokum' for Amsterdam only came from someone from the countryside or a small town. There are a lot of people like that.
Wherever he’s from, once in Amsterdam, he’ll go straight to the Red Light District’s coffee shops and, not so straight, back to his Bed-and-Breakfast. There he will collapse on his cot: totally brain dead.
As soon as he arrives in Amsterdam, he will visit the coffee shops in the Red Light District, and later go back to his Bed-and-Breakfast. He will then fall asleep completely high.
Look! There’s the smartass; he only wants to smoke hashish and he wants to do it now! And in no time he’ll drag his feet along the Damrak, his bloodshot eyes staring at an eternity of busy passers-by. And no one notices that there’s anyone around….
There's someone here who is acting arrogantly and only wants to smoke hashish immediately. Pretty soon he'll be staggering along Damrak, his eyes bloodshot and gazing at the busy street. But nobody notices him.
Ref: Thai-Thai…
(This is an interjection used to emphasize a point, and doesn't really have a clear meaning to translate.)
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.