Amsterdam Klezmer Band performs Eastern European Jewish music, influenced b… Read Full Bio ↴Amsterdam Klezmer Band performs Eastern European Jewish music, influenced by Gypsy and Balkan music.

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).

Marusja
Amsterdam Klezmer Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Marusya is not sunbathing on the beach any more, and my heart’s beating regularly again*
My sleep has returned, and there’s no more sleepwalking….
Where is my sweet home Odessa with its markets and the buzz…? I have been blindfold for a long time and suddenly there’s a little twist of fate, and I am the winner once again!
Ref: Captain, full forward! My youth’s back…Seen through the smokescreen I am forever young!

Overall Meaning

The Amsterdam Klezmer Band's song Marusja is a wistful ballad about a person who has grown tired of the monotony of life, but then experiences a twist of fate that awakens their vitality and spirit. The lyrics suggest a longing for home, specifically, the bustling marketplaces of Odessa, which the singer remembers fondly. The opening lines of the song seem to imply that the singer has been on vacation, away from the stresses of their regular life, but now they must return to reality. The line "Marusya is not sunbathing on the beach anymore" suggests that the singer is no longer able to escape from their problems through leisure and relaxation.

Despite this disappointment, the song's chorus is optimistic and energized. The singer shouts "Captain, full forward!" as if commanding a ship to sail, and he declares that his youth has returned. The lyrics serve as a reminder that even when things seem bleak, life can still hold surprises and joy. The song's melody is playful and enjoyable, with the accordion and clarinet taking turns leading the listener through the ups and downs of the story.

Line by Line Meaning

Marusya is not sunbathing on the beach any more, and my heart’s beating regularly again
Marusya has stopped sitting idle and doing nothing, and now my heart is functioning properly once more.

My sleep has returned, and there’s no more sleepwalking….
I am now able to experience sound sleep, and there are no more episodes of sleepwalking.

Where is my sweet home Odessa with its markets and the buzz…?
I am wondering where my beloved hometown of Odessa is, with its markets and bustling atmosphere.

I have been blindfold for a long time and suddenly there’s a little twist of fate, and I am the winner once again!
I have been unaware of my surroundings for a considerable amount of time, however, a small unexpected incident has come my way, causing me to triumph once more.

Ref: Captain, full forward! My youth’s back…Seen through the smokescreen I am forever young!
Reference to the captain to move forward at full speed, as my youth has returned. Despite the obstacles and challenges I have faced, I will always remain young at heart.

Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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