Klezmorim

Name:
Klezmorim
Name (Yiddish):
קלעזמאָרים
Related information in folder 29:
Document type:
Review
Author:
Masha Leon
Publisher:
English Forward
Date:
11/8/1981
Comments:
Review of concert at Queens College.

Tracks with this artist

Hora (Klezmorim, Instr) — האָראַ (קלעזמאָרים)

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
6773
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Track comment:
Medley with "Oyf A Khasene In Beserabia" entitled "Sirba"

Lebedik Un Freylekh (Perlmutter et al) — לעבעדיק און פֿרײלעך (פּערלמוטער א" א")

Author:
Thomashevsky, Boris — טאָמאַשעװסקי, ברוך
Composer:
Perlmutter, Arnold (Aaron) פּערלמוטער, אַרנאָלד (אהרן)
Composer:
Wohl, Herman — װאָל, הערמאַן
Genre:
Theater
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
8923
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Klezmer/Instrumental/Freylekhs

Thalessa (The Sea, Instr)

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
14961
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Combination of Greek and Yiddish Melodies.

Sirba Slanic (Instr)

On album:
K-020(d) (The Klezmorim Notes From Underground)
Track ID:
14512
Composer:
Moskowitz, Joseph
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Part of medley with "Betty Boop" & "Gangsters In Towland".

A Wild Night In Odessa

On album:
K-020(c) (The Klezmorim Metropolis)
Track ID:
670
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

A Glezele Vayn — אַ גלעזעלע װײַן

Genre:
Instrumental/Klezmer
Additional song notes:
A Little Glass of Wine
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
226
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Language:
Instrumental

Baym Rebns Sude — בײַם רבּנס סעודה

Genre:
Instrumental/Klezmer/Khosidl
Music:
Comp Klez 61
Additional song notes:
At The Rabbi's Feast
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
2100
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

Bayt Zhe Mir Oys A Finfuntsvansiker — בײַט זשע מיר אױס אַ פֿינפֿאונצװאַנציקער

Also known as:
Rumshi
Also known as:
The Twenty Fiver
Genre:
Folk
Subject:
Wedding/Klezmorim/Tipping Musicians/Money
Origin:
Ber Fef 258/Vinkov 2 164/ML MTAG 60/Epelboym 83
Transliteration:
Vinkov 2 165/Alb K-020(a)/Alb O-009(a)/ML MTAG 60/Rubin Voi17/Epelboym 83
Translation:
Rubin Voi 17/Alb K-020(a)/Vinkov 2 165/Alb B-007(c)/Alb O-009(a)
Music:
Vinkov 2 165/Rubin Voi 17/ML MTAG 60/Epelboym 83
On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
2128
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Vocal:
Liberman, Lev, lead vocal
First line:
Bayt zhe mir oys a funfuntsvansiker, oyf samerodne drayer;
First line (Yiddish):
בײַט זשע מיר אױס אַ פֿינפֿאונצװאַנציקער, אױף סאַמעראַדנע דרײַער;
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Language:
Yiddish

Beserabyanke — בעסעראַבײענקע

On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
2295
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental/Klezmer

Dem Ganevs Yikhes — דעם גנבֿס יחוּס

Also known as:
Dem Rebns Nign (Dem Ganevs...)
Also known as:
Nign Khasidi
Also known as:
Shmaravoznik
Also known as:
Vos Bistu Broyges
Also known as:
Vos Bistu Ketsele Broyges
Also known as:
Yikhes
Genre:
Folk/Underground/Thieves/Humorous/Insulting
Subject:
Pedigree/Family/Father/Mother/Sister/Brother/Occupation
Song comment:
Same melody as "Dem Rebns Nigun"
Origin:
Kotlansky 139/CD S-100(a)
Transliteration:
Kotlansky 139/Alb K-020(a)/Alb O-009(a)/Alb J-024(a)CD L-054(a)
Translation:
Alb J-024(a)/Alb O-009(a)/Kotylan 139/Alb Z-010(b)/CD S-100(a)/CD L-054(a)
Music:
Kotlyan 140
Related information in folder 205:
Comments:
1. Transliterated text of variant of Dem Ganevs Yikhes from email of March 2, 2003 sent by Bob Poe. 2. Article from Yiddish Forward of Nov 9, 2007 by Chana Mlotek titled "Vos Bistu, Kotinke Barugz?"
On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
2969
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Artist:
Liberman, Lev, lead vacal
Artist:
Liberman, Lev and David Gray, arr
First line:
Vos zhe bistu, Motkele, broyges, un vos zhe hostu aropgelozt
First line (Yiddish):
װאַס זשה ביסטו, מאָטקעלע, ברוגז, און װאָס זשע האָסטו...
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Translation on album notes by Dr. Martin Shwartz.
Language:
Yiddish

Der Rebe Hot Geheysn Freylekh Zayn — דער רבּי האָט געהײסן פֿרײליך זײַן

Also known as:
Yoshke Yoshke Shpan Dem Loshik
Author:
Goldfaden, Avrom — גאָלדפֿאַדען, אַבֿרהם
Composer:
Goldfaden, Avrom — גאָלדפֿאַדען, אַבֿרהם
Genre:
Folk/Humorous
Subject:
Rebe/Colt/Harness/Drinking/Whisky/Wine
Origin:
ML PYS 136/Alb S-048(f)
Transliteration:
ML PYS 136/Alb 009(a)/Alb J-030(a)/Alb Z-014
Translation:
Alb K-020(a)/Alb S-048(f)/Alb 007(b)Alb J-030(a)Alb 122(a)/Alb Z-014
Music:
ML PYS 136
Additional song notes:
See Gottlieb, p. 44 for relationship of melody to Berlin's "Blue Skies" Same Melody as "Ma Yofus" Recorded on Alb Z-014(a) as "Lustig Zayn"
On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
3354
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Artist:
Gray, David Julian, mandolin
First line:
Yoshke, Yoshke, shpan dem loshik, Lomir gikher loyfn!
First line:
יאָשקע, יאָשקע, שפּאַן דעם לאָשיק, לאָמיר גיכער לױפֿן. טאָמער װעט...
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Same melody as "Reb Dovidl"

Mazl Tov Di Shviger (Instr) — מזל טובֿ די שװיגער

Also known as:
Sha Sha Di Shviger Kumt
On album:
K-020(f) (The Klezmorim "Jazz Babies of the Ukraine")
Track ID:
3893
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Artist:
Klezmorim, arr.
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Recorded under "Disfigured"
Style:
Instrumental

Di Grine Kuzine — די גרינע קוזינע

Also known as:
Kuzine (Di Grine Kuzine)
Author:
Leyzerovitz, Yakov — לײזעראָװיץ, יעקבֿ
Composer:
Schwartz, Abe — שװאַרץ, אײב
Genre:
Immigration/Lament
Subject:
Immigration/Poverty/Occupation/Milliner/Aging/Disillusion
Origin:
Mayzl 600/Alb Z-012(a)/Levin N 92
Transliteration:
Levin N 92/Alb B-007(c)/Alb Z-012(a)/Gottlieb 290/Alb B-095(b)
Translation:
Levin N 92/Alb Z-012(a)/Alb B-007(c)/Gottlieb 290/Alb B-095(b)/Alb M-068(a)04
Music:
Warem 45/Alb Z-012(a)/Levin N 92
Additional song notes:
See "My Little Cousin" for American swing version. Lyrics claimed by Hyman Prizant and others. Text is by Leyzerovitz as credited by Meizel. See Max Rosenfeld's papers re respecting Leyzerovitz's loss of copyright lawsuit. See Gottlieb p. 147. See Ephemera 80 for singable English adapation by Edith Finell. See also ephemera 1458 for tarnslit and translate What's Not To Like 2017
Related information in folder 408:
Comments:
1. Letter from Shlomo Ben Israel in Yiddish Forverts of February 4, 1983 titled, "Interesante Faktn Vegn Y. Leyzerovitsh in zayn lid, Di Grine Kuzine". 2. 2. Original text with 8 verses 3. Transliteration and singable Yiddish translation by Edith Finell.
On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
3612
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
First line:
S'iz tsu mir gekumen a kuzine, sheyn vi gold iz zi geven...
First line (Yiddish):
ס'איז צו מיר געקומען אַ קוזינע, שײן װיגאָלד איז זי געװען...
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Translation with album notes by Dr. Martin Schwartz.
Language:
Yiddish
Style:
Klezmer

Egyptian Ella

Composer:
Doyle, Walter
Genre:
Novelty
Subject:
Weight/Egypt/Fat Lady/Place/Nile/
Related information in folder 121:
Document type:
internet
Author:
Doyle, Walter
Comments:
Compete lyrics.
Related information in folder 583:
Comments:
1. Text of song from the internet, with sheet music cover.
On album:
K-020(d) (The Klezmorim Notes From Underground)
Track ID:
4437
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental/Jazz/Klezmer

Egyptian Ella

Composer:
Doyle, Walter
Genre:
Novelty
Subject:
Weight/Egypt/Fat Lady/Place/Nile/
Related information in folder 121:
Document type:
internet
Author:
Doyle, Walter
Comments:
Compete lyrics.
Related information in folder 583:
Comments:
1. Text of song from the internet, with sheet music cover.
On album:
K-020(e) (The Klezmorim)
Track ID:
4438
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental/Klezmer/Jazz

Doyne (Klezmorim) — דױנע (קלעזמאָרים)

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
4224
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

Fidl Volakh — פֿידל װאָלאַך

Genre:
Instrumental/Klezmer
On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
5190
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Combination of Greek and Yiddish Melodies.
Style:
Instrumental/Klezmer

Firn Di Mekhutonim Aheym — פֿירן די מחותּנים אַהײם

Also known as:
Oriental Melody (Instr)
Also known as:
Street Song
Composer:
Schwartz, Abe — שװאַרץ, אײב
Genre:
Klezmer/Wedding/Instrumental/Hora/Doyna
Subject:
In Laws
Music:
Comp Klez 44
Additional song notes:
Accompaning the In-Laws Home Naftule Brandwein sometimes credited as Composer. Melody played in Shargorad (also elsewhere)/aka DerGasn Nigun- Oriental Melody
On album:
K-020(f) (The Klezmorim "Jazz Babies of the Ukraine")
Track ID:
5231
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Arranger:
Klezmorim, arr.
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Recorded under title "Firen"
Style:
Klezmer/Instrumental

Gasn Nign — גאַסן ניגון

Genre:
Instrumental/Klezmer
On album:
K-020(f) (The Klezmorim "Jazz Babies of the Ukraine")
Track ID:
5237
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Arranger:
Klezmorim, arr.
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Klezmer/Instrumental

Firn Di Mekhutonim Aheym — פֿירן די מחותּנים אַהײם

Also known as:
Oriental Melody (Instr)
Also known as:
Street Song
Composer:
Schwartz, Abe — שװאַרץ, אײב
Genre:
Klezmer/Wedding/Instrumental/Hora/Doyna
Subject:
In Laws
Music:
Comp Klez 44
Additional song notes:
Accompaning the In-Laws Home Naftule Brandwein sometimes credited as Composer. Melody played in Shargorad (also elsewhere)/aka DerGasn Nigun- Oriental Melody
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
5247
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Sirba rhythm, Rumania
Style:
Klezmer/Instrumental

Gangsters In Toyland (Instr)

On album:
K-020(d) (The Klezmorim Notes From Underground)
Track ID:
5555
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Part of medley with "Betty Boop" & "Sirba Slanic".

Gangsters In Toyland (Instr)

On album:
K-020(e) (The Klezmorim)
Track ID:
5556
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Part of medley with "Betty Boop" & "Sirba Slanic".

Freylekhs Fun L. A. (Instr) — פֿרײלעכס פֿון ל. ײ.

On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
5439
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Kacerac (Klezmorim, Instr)

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
7715
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Kolo - Line dance from Serbia

Mayn Rue Plats — מײַן רוע פּלאַץ

Also known as:
Mekom Menukhati
Also known as:
Arbeter-Romans
Author:
Rosenfeld, Morris — ראָזענפֿעלד, מאָריס
Composer:
Rosenfeld, Morris — ראָזענפֿעלד, מאָריס
Genre:
Literary Origin/Folk/Labor
Subject:
Factory/Sweatshop
Song comment:
Eng Translat from Forward - Ephemra 537
Origin:
ML MTAG 150/Alb Y-007(a)/Levin N 75/Belarsky 217/CD B-086(a)/Vinkov 4 33
Transliteration:
CD L-054(a)/CD B-086(a)/CD L-049(a)/Alb Y-007(a)/Alb L-004(a)/Levin N 75
Translation:
CD L-054(a)/Alb L-004(a)/Alb Y-007(a)/Alb A-036(a)/Alb K-029(e)/Vinkov 4 33/Ep
Music:
Sh Sh 158/Levin N 75/Belarsky 034/Alb Y-007(a)/Vinkov 4 33
Additional song notes:
My Resting Place / English Adaption Ephemra 537 Also translation and transliteration on Album B-126(a)
Related information in folder 478:
Document type:
Translation
Author:
Aaron Kramer
Comments:
English translation by Aaron Kramer from volume titled "Morris Rosenfeld-Selections from his poetry and prose, edited by Itche Goldberg and Max Rosenfeld".
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
9908
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Artist:
Dvorin, Miriam, vocalist
First line:
Nit zukh mikh, vu di mirtn grinen! Gefinst mikh dortn nit,
First line (Yiddish):
ניט זוך מיך, װוּ די מירטן גרינען! געפֿינסט מיך דאָרטן ניט,
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Language:
Yiddish

Mame (Instr, Klezmorim) — מאַמע (קלעזמאָרים)

On album:
K-020(d) (The Klezmorim Notes From Underground)
Track ID:
9682
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Mame (Instr, Klezmorim) — מאַמע (קלעזמאָרים)

On album:
K-020(e) (The Klezmorim)
Track ID:
9683
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Oyf A Khasene In Beserabia (Instr) — אױף אַ חתונה אין בעסעראַביאַ

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
11811
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
Recorded under title "Sirba" Medley with "Hora"
Style:
Instrumental

Oyf Shabos In Vilna (Instr) — אױף שבּת אין װילנאַ

On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
11832
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

Medyatsiner Vals (Instr) — מעדיאַצינער װאַלס

On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
10177
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
devotional nigun of the Medyatsiner Rebe.

Papirosn — פּאַפּיראָסן

Also known as:
A Kalte Nakht
Also known as:
A Kalte Nakht (Papirosn)
Also known as:
El Chiclerito
Also known as:
Freylekhe Yidelekh
Also known as:
Sigaryot
Also known as:
Kupite Papirosy
Author:
Yablakoff, Herman — יאַבלאַקאָף, הערמאַן
Composer:
Yablakoff, Herman — יאַבלאַקאָף, הערמאַן
Genre:
Theatre/Lament
Subject:
Occupation/Cigarette Seller/Misfortune/Family
Origin:
Levin N 90/GYF 16/Alb L-023(a)/ML PYS 267/Alb F-024(e)/Alb G-035(b)
Transliteration:
Levin N 90/Alb L-023(a)/Alb K-007(b)/GYF 19/Alb F-042(a)/Alb L-048(a)
Translation:
Alb G-013(c)/GYF 19/Alb B-046(a)/Alb L-023(a)/Alb F-036(a)/Alb A-036(a
Music:
Levin N 90/Estella 10/GYF 17/ML PYS 267
Additional song notes:
Cigarettes/Author was inspired to write song after seeing child peddlers during German occupation of Grodno in WWI. See liner notes Alb S-083(a) Ephemera 1458: See 2016 program for translat and translit. Alb P-038(e) - translate
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
12112
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
First line:
A kalte nakht, a neldike finster umetum, shteyt a…
First line:
אַ קאַלטע נאַכט, אַ נעפלדיקע פֿינסטער אומעטום, שטײט אַ ייִנגעלע...
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

Sherele (Klezmorim, Instr) — שערעלע (קלעזמאָרים)

On album:
K-020(a) (The Klezmorim East Side Wedding)
Track ID:
13657
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Style:
Instrumental

Sonya / Anushke (Instr) — סאָניע \ אַנושקע

On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
14640
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Stambul (Instr) — סטאַמבל

On album:
K-020(d) (The Klezmorim Notes From Underground)
Track ID:
14671
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Train Theme 2/ Orient Express to Harlem

Genre:
Klezmer/Pop Medley
Song comment:
Includes "America" from West Side Story
Additional song notes:
Klezmer tune(s) not identified
On album:
K-020(f) (The Klezmorim "Jazz Babies of the Ukraine")
Track ID:
15444
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Artist:
Klezmorim, arrangement
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Track comment:
"Orient Express To Harlem"

Trepak (Instr)

Also known as:
Taxim (Anon)
On album:
K-020(b) (The Klezmorim "Streets of Gold")
Track ID:
14847
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)

Bucharest

On album:
K-026(i) (Doyres Traditional Klezmer Recordings 1979-1994 — דורות)
Track ID:
23285
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Track comment:
From recording entitled "Metropolis"
Style:
Instrumental

Thalessa (The Sea, Instr)

On album:
K-026(l)1 (The Soul Of Klezmer/ Reve Et Passion/ Fantasy And Passion 1)
Track ID:
27399
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Track comment:
From East Side Wedding K-020(a) (Also CD First Recordings)

Fidl Volakh — פֿידל װאָלאַך

Genre:
Instrumental/Klezmer
On album:
K-026(l)2 (The Soul Of Klezmer/ Reve Et Passion/ Fantasy And Passion 2)
Track ID:
27408
Artist:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
Track comment:
Combination of Greek and Yiddish Melodies.
Style:
Instrumental/Klezmer

The Supreme Jazz-Baby Speaks/Band Intro.

Genre:
Spoken Word
Subject:
Humor
On album:
K-020(f) (The Klezmorim "Jazz Babies of the Ukraine")
Track ID:
42973
Speaker:
Klezmorim — קלעזמאָרים
First line:
Millions and billions years ago, the earth was nothing more than a ball of molten lava..
Audio:
Freedman Sound Archives at Penn Libraries (temporarily unavailable)
Language:
English
Style:
Spoken Word
Length:
1:01

Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive.
Contact: yidsong@pobox.upenn.edu