“Jews on Vinyl” is a new exhibition based on the book And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Our Vinyl: The Jewish Past as Told by the Records We Have Loved and Lost. Roger Bennett and Josh Kun’s book covers the history of Jewish recorded music from the 1940s to the 1980s, leaving interested parties plenty of time to revel in Neil’s Hot August Night chest hair, bask in the come-hither eyeballs of Barry, and reflect on Barbra’s babe-liness. But the author-curators also go beyond the marbled shag one-liner of kitschy album covers into a fascinating study of history, identity, and culture as purveyed by the recordings, many of which no longer exist in any medium. The opening reception (Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.) features a talk with Bennett and Kun, as well as live music and comedy. A 1950s-style suburban living room configured in the museum’s “Yud” gallery welcomes patrons to sink into the furniture and groove out with sound clips from two listening stations. Get beyond the "Mandy" jokes (we always loved you, Mr. Manilow) and experience these obscure, sublime offerings of Jewish recording artists.
Feb. 6-June 9, 2009
