Charming Hostess - Sarajevo Blues (2004)

Charming Hostess, a vocal trio comprised of Jewlia Eisenberg (who wrote all of the music for this set), Marika Hughes, and Cynthia Taylor, performs Jewish traditional songs, a trio of poems turned into music, and ten pieces that form the "Sarajevo Blues." The lyrics are often political due to the very difficult life for the average citizen in the land that used to be united as Yugoslavia. The three voices are haunting and adventurous, holding onto the tradition while not being shy to stretch far beyond into modern and even avant-garde music. The guest musicians are used effectively on some pieces, but it is those selections that feature the trio largely a cappella that are most memorable. © Scott Yanow