While most were prepping for the week ahead, a contingent of dedicated dancers was breaking it down at Vancouver ’s Commodore Ballroom. It was a chilly Sunday night, but the allure of seeing Israeli band Balkan Beat Box perform live proved to be irresistible. BBB did not disappoint.
Their eclectic style of music is innovative in itself. Using a live band, the group fuses Middle Eastern folk music with sounds from around the world. But any avid Youtuber could listen to one of their tracks. What truly sets the BBB musical experience apart from the rest is their collective stage presence.
Tomer Yosef, the vocalist/MC, is easily the most ostentatious of the group. He maintained a sort of infectious energy throughout the entire show. His animated movements were intense yet smooth. But the glue that held them together – and the member who impressed me the most – was co-founder Ori Kaplan. Amid the bedlam of drums, guitars, and Yosef’s antics, Kaplan’s saxophone created an element of calm. But far from being like a tranquil stream, it was a groovy and upbeat type of calm. Nonetheless, without it, I think my brain might have exploded. His solos added just enough mellow to the mix, and the end result was beautiful.
BBB is an absolute must see. And luckily for many readers, they’ll be hitting the Northeast USA in late April, starting with a show in NYC on the 26th. You’ll have to subsist on Youtube videos until then.
