Search - Theodore Bikel :: Songs of a Russian Gypsy

There's so much more to Bikel than most people know.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg | Arizona | 04/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is Theodore Bikel an actor who just plain dominates any stage he's on -- (did you know he played the King in The King And I on broadway and there's a CD of that too!) but he spent his early youth learning folksongs of a couple dozen countries, mostly by ear. (see his autobiography which is also here on www.amazon.com) He doesn't just sing, he performs the music -- and not just the music, but the whole cultural context behind the music as well -- in every single word. I have this Russian Gypsy CD in my car, and I play it constantly. It is wonderful driving music on long, boring highways. I listen to this music while writing (I write novels and you can find them on www.amazon.com by searching on Jacqueline Lichtenberg) and I listen to this album while driving and gnawing on a plot problem. This CD has inspiration woven into every track. OK, I have Russian roots way back there, and maybe that's why the Russian Gypsy music resonates so with me. But that doesn't explain why I love every one of the songs recorded by Theo on all his albums. The connecting thread here is Theodore Bikel. Just grab anything by him you can find and you'll never regret it. Search on Theodore Bikel using "all products" and you may have a surprise coming. He's the reader on a whole list of audiobooks. And they have VHS's of some of his movies. His Yiddish Theater Songs album is also available from rhinohandmade.com and a group of his fans want the Rhino label to put out all the rest of Theo's albums. And be sure to visit bikel dot com! Live Long and Prosper,
Jacqueline ..."

Amazing

Jean P Locke | Woodstock, IL United States | 02/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My mother bought the album when it was first released in the late 1950's. Growing up listing to this album, now a CD, has left a lifelong impression that there is so much more to the world. These songs should be heard by every generation. Beautiful, sad, fun, powerful. You will feel every emotion.
Don't miss out!"

This is a real classic!

Gadgeteer | Pacific Palisades, CA USA | 02/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own the LP of this recording, which I bought in the '50's or 60's. It is not only a faithful and pleasurable representation of a now lost Russian Gypsy music genre, but a historical masterpiece which should be reissued. Bikel's versatility and great talent is well displayed here."