Matisyahu at Hammerstein, 3/7/06

Being at Hammerstein twice in the same week is a slightly unsettling thought, yet that’s what had to be done as team Dankster made its second foray to the Ballroom Tuesday to check out Jewish superstar Matisyahu. A lot of people think of Matis as sort of a novelty act, and the reviews his latest album have been getting tend to bolster those claims. Still, everyone who sees the guy live raves about it. After Tuesday night, I can see why.

As soon as we got to the venue and double fisted some champagne, it was time to be led brazenly through the packed crowd to a better spot towards the front. Since Dankster.org has a policy of anonymity, I will only refer to the man leading our little column through the crowd as “Prince of Wooks.” Prince was significantly lifted which I dare say led him to be extra forceful in our push through the mob. Apparently, Jews are as unhappy to give up spots at a concert as they are settlements in the West Bank. Still, we fought our way in regardless of the jeers and yenta cries that assaulted us at every step. When we could simply not go any further, we planted ourselves firmly where we stood. At this point a kid with a jewfro went into a tirade about how Prince of Wooks was like Moses leading us through the deserts of Egypt. He then asked us what camp we went to.

Soon enough a giant psychedelic Star of David backdrop descended from the rafters and the Jewoks went crazy. Matisyahu strode out amongst a hanging cloud of pot smoke and broke out Hebrew style into that Jeruuusalem, if I forget youuu, let my right hand forget what it’s supposed to dooo song from the new album. Being in a club packed with our fellow Jews was a novel sensation and being rapped to about the power of Israel and the Torah with crazy lights, beatboxing, and extended reggae jams made me feel like I could take on the entire Middle East with my hands tied behind my back, but putting that aside, the show was just a lot of fun. There was a level of energy way above what we say at the Strokes show last weekend, even leading to some crowd surfing and similar antics later in the show. For the encore we were even treated to some special guests, including an MC from Westchester and an old dude with a huge grey beard and yarmulke who wailed on guitar. I’ve never been more proud to be a money grubbing Jew bastard.

Dankster Rating: 8.5/10