Re: The Andy Statman Interview
From this article: http://www.jtnews.net/index.php?/news/item/8092/C48/
His spiritual life is as an Orthodox Jew, at home in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, not far from where he grew up in Queens. As a kid going to Hebrew school, he was hungry for music and roots, but not traditionally observant. These days, he doesn’t hide his observance. “The way I dress is the way I dress,” says the man who now goes everywhere in a black velvet kippa, white shirt, black pants, dangling tzitzit, and the occasional black hat. “Just being a frum [traditionally observant] person, this is the world me and my family live in. I’ve never put on a costume for jobs that I played. I came up playing music in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The way we dressed offstage was the way we dressed onstage. I’m there to play the music and that’s what it’s about.”
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Great interview with one of the great mando-heroes. FYI- for those who may have been mystified by the caption under the photo right above "gear facts," a "yortzeit seudah" (also yahrzeit) means a meal (seudah) held on the anniversary of a death, in this case, of a rebbe, or leading spiritual teacher, of the Hassidic group or court known as Modzitzer. (You can google that word if you want more info.)
Regarding the kipah- or headcovering- it's a practice with Biblical roots which became a symbol of Jewish reverence as early as the Babylonian exile. (Circa 200-500's CE.)
Just FYI, adding to the discussion. . . .
Neal
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Here's a very nice feature NPR did on Andy a few years back that some of you will enjoy:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6092006
This may answer some of the questions being asked. If you ever have a chance to see him in person, you owe it to yourself to do so. It's a remarkable experience to be in the same room with him and he's a very genuinely wonderful person to speak to. I hope to make it back to the Village to see him in the next year.
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Noting the anniversary of the publication of this interview. If you haven't listened to the streaming MP3 in the article, it might alter your paradigm.
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Another anniversary for this interview with one of the true treasures in the mandolin (and clarinet) world!
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Andy Statman is still one of my heroes. Superheroes.
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
This guy is just plain incredible,,he's been one of my big influences since I first heard him in the '70's.
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
It is Andy's iconic solo on "Oh Susanna" with the Peter Rowan band that I will always be grateful for. Thank you for that whacky tack on the mandolin's part. Dark green my friend, dark green! Blessings
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
His solo on Black Mountain Rag from Fiddle Tunes for Banjo Rounder album from 1981 is unbelievable innovative!
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
10 years today since we ran this feature interview. We've done others with Andy, believe this was the first.
Re: The Andy Statman Interview
Noting the anniversary of this interview.