One Song Two Versions

Guitarist Tim Sparks has released several beautiful albums of Jewish inspired music on John Zorn’s Tzaddik record label. One is called  Little Princess, which is the translation of Kleine Princessin a klezmer classic made famous by Naftule Brandwein, a king of klezmer clarinet.

Hear just how different two musicians can make the same song sound. First, let’s hear Naftule (who was quite a rascal it seems) play it.

And here’s Tim’s version.

How does a guitarist decide to take a wild klezmer tune and reinterpret it as a lilting, almost lullaby stringed statement? Let’s ask Tim when he performs at Club Passim on Tuesday, March 5.