Simcha Time

On the surface, bandleader, songwriter, clarinetist, comedian, and (most of all) entertainer Mickey Katz is a sort of Jewish-style Spike Jones. Schmaltzy comedy and frenetic klezmer riffs combine to create humorous skits that were part borscht belt, part vaudeville. But listen here to Katz's one "straight" album--the legendary Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Brisses, recorded in the early '50s for Capitol--and you find a true musician who could swing with jazz's best, a guy with faultless timing and a great sense of humor. On "Frailach Jamboree," he takes the upbeat traditional klezmer pattern (the frailach) and proves he and his band have impeccable timing; the next tune takes klezmer the way of Raymond Scott, the cartoon-music pioneer; on "Simcha Time," he rounds up the whole circus--bride, groom, and family (this is music for weddings, after all)--and happily informs you that the show is going to begin. Whether he's writing cancans or covering "Sunrise, Sunset," you can't help but admire Katz's musical, and comedic, genius. Don Byron achieved acclaim for his album of Katz interpretations, Plays the Music of Mickey Katz, but this is the original thing. And what a gorgeous shtick it was, now--thankfully--reissued entirely on CD with bonus cuts from Hello, Solly, his Broadway musical, and five previously unreleased tunes. --Jason Verlinde