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).
Naie Kashe
Amsterdam Klezmer Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can I save money, when my pay is being cut and the price of liquor’s going up?
My memory’s getting weaker: not only did I forgot my home town, I have only a vague recollection of what happened yesterday?!
Questions…
Job: “A hundred days of coughing up,
Can’t buy on credit,
Shopping at Poundstretcher,
Isn’t up to much,
Or on the dole,
Whole days doing nothing,
Just watching TV”
There’s one answer to these questions: I won’t drink any more… I won’t drink any less! I won’t sing any more… And won’t sing any less!
The song "Naie Kashe" by the Amsterdam Klezmer Band is a lamentation of a person who is struggling with life's challenges. The singer describes the arrival of spring with chirping birds, but he is consumed with feelings of pain and exhaustion. He has no money, his sleep is troubled, and his kidneys are aching. He laments the difficulties in saving money when the cost of living and liquor continues to rise, and his job only pays him a meager income.
The singer also reveals a loss of memory, forgetting both his hometown and recent events. He poses a question to his listeners about how to survive in this tough environment, leading to the response from someone named Job. Job's advice consists of working long hours for minimum wages or relying on government aid, and he highlights the futility of saving money in the current economy. The singer, in response, asserts that the solution is to drink and sing less, not more.
Overall, "Naie Kashe" is a deeply introspective song that portrays the struggles of a person living in a challenging and unforgiving environment. Despite the somber nature of the lyrics, the Klezmer sound of the music, which is a fusion of traditional Jewish and Eastern European folk music, creates a unique and upbeat sound.
Line by Line Meaning
The spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, my kidneys are aching, I have no “dough”, nor I get any sleep!
The season of spring has arrived and is complemented by the singing of birds. However, my kidneys are aching, and I'm unable to sleep because I have no money.
How can I save money, when my pay is being cut and the price of liquor’s going up?
I'm unable to save money because my income has been reduced, and the cost of alcohol is skyrocketing.
My memory’s getting weaker: not only did I forgot my home town, I have only a vague recollection of what happened yesterday?!
My memory is declining, and I've even forgotten my hometown. I can barely remember what happened yesterday.
Questions…
I have questions which need answers.
Job: “A hundred days of coughing up, Can’t buy on credit, Shopping at Poundstretcher, Isn’t up to much, Work for low wages, Or on the dole, Whole days doing nothing, Just watching TV”
The situation is dire as jobs only offer low wages or, in some cases, nothing at all. Even shopping at low-cost outlets doesn't amount to much. Watching TV is the only way to pass the time.
There’s one answer to these questions: I won’t drink any more… I won’t drink any less! I won’t sing any more… And won’t sing any less!
There is no clear solution to the problems being faced. The only thing I can control is my drinking and singing habits- I'll continue at my own pace and not exceed past limits.
Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.