Wednesday, February 23, 2011
SPOCK-A NAGILA: Two Jewish-themed documentaries-in-progress worthy of your preview: Roberta Grossman's Hava Nagila, What Is It? on the history of that beloved folk song, and my friend Katie Halper's Another Camp Is Possible. The latter regards Camp Kinderland in the Berkshires, founded by Jewish leftists of the 1920s and carrying on its cultural (and political) vibes to this day, but it's the first video you'll need to click on to see Harry Belafonte.
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I'm sure I've said this before, but if you don't own Belafonte's Live at Carnegie Hall album (http://www.amazon.com/At-Carnegie-Hall-Harry-Belafonte/dp/B000002W95) go buy it right now. Hava Nagila is on there, and the album is completely fantastic. A brilliant performer with a stunning voice at the height of his powers.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Harry Belafonte's Have Nagila. My family used to listen to his Live at Carnegie Hall album on road trips and that song and the whole album is so wonderful. His audience interaction on "Matilda" is hilarious, having different groups sing the chorus. My brother used to take the Harry role on that song, and when Harry would should "All the people on scholarship!" or call out some other group my brother would yell "Little sister in the backseat!" or "Dad driving the car!" or something else.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the Belafonte randomness of this comment -- you sent me down memory lane with that link.
"Women over 40!" [one very old-sounding woman in the audience sings]
ReplyDeleteWe played that on roadtrips too. I love love love that album.
Maret, if you've not heard Alan Sherman's parody of Belafonte's Matilda (called "My Zelda") you really must.
Not sure if we've discussed this here, but the recent Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg documentary is also worth your time.
ReplyDeleteI have not, but I'm going to find it and listen to it.
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing favorite movies with my niece and nephews on Saturday night, my 9 year old nephew said "We really like The Muppet Show, especially the one with Mr. Belafonte."
ReplyDeleteMr. Belafonte? I love it!