Bluegrass in Jerusalem

January 2, 2012 - 11:29 AM by David

You might not expect Israel to cultivate a big Americana roots music scene, and you’d be right.

However, small bastions of down home of ragged but righteous acoustic mayhem are cropping up here and there, and for a New Year’s treat, here’s one of the best – Natan Galili and The Scavengers, with special guest Yehuda Ledgley performing the rousing gospel standard “I’ll Fly Away” at a recent Jerusalem house party.

Galili and The Scavengers – Assaf Amgar on fiddle and Liad Mor on upright bass – are Israelis who love the sounds of rural America, and they’ve been performing in local Jerusalem clubs for the better part of a year, building up a loyal following.

Ledgley, originally from Canada, is an accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right, and regularly joins the band for shows, bolstering the sound with his heavy metal country acoustic guitar and twangy vocals.

When Galili and Ledgley recently performed as a duo at the monthly Jerusalem Folk Club, they wowed the crowd with their originals and covers. The hall was packed for that show, which featured a half dozen other acts, proof that folk and country sounds sound good no matter where they’re played – in Nashville or Jerusalem.

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