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).

Netty
Amsterdam Klezmer Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Get out of town
Before it's too late, my love
Get out of town
Be good to me, please

Why wish me harm?
Why not retire to a farm
And be contented to charm

The birds off the trees?

Just disappear
I care for you much too much
And when you're near, close to me, dear
We touch too much

The thrill when we meet is so bittersweet
That, darling, it's getting me down

So, on your mark, get set
Get out of town

Overall Meaning

The song "Netty" by the Amsterdam Klezmer Band is a beautiful love song with touching lyrics. The singer of the song is telling their love interest to leave town before it is too late because they care for them too much. The singer is asking the love interest to be good to them and not wish them harm. Instead, they suggest that the love interest leave town and retire to a farm or somewhere away from the city and the hustle and bustle of city life. The singer seems to be feeling overwhelmed by their emotions for their love interest and is suggesting that distance might be the best thing for them.

The lyrics go on to describe how the singer cares for their love interest so much that being close to them is overwhelming. The singer sings of the bittersweet thrill they feel when they're near and how it's getting them down. In the end, the singer encourages the love interest to leave town as a way of putting some distance between them.

Overall, "Netty" is a beautiful song about love and the complexities that come with it. The lyrics are touching, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful.

Line by Line Meaning

Get out of town
Leave this place immediately

Before it's too late, my love
Hurry up before something bad happens

Get out of town
Leave this place immediately

Be good to me, please
Please have pity on my emotions

Why wish me harm?
Why do something that is harmful to me?

Why not retire to a farm
Why don't you go live in a peaceful environment?

And be contented to charm
Stay there and enjoy the simple things in life

The birds off the trees?
Entertain yourself with the birds and nature around you.

Just disappear
Go away and never show yourself again

I care for you much too much
I have feelings for you which is not good for me

And when you're near, close to me, dear
When you are near me, I can't resist you.