Posts
"Nothing can inspire an artist more than being challenged. The artist in question is Nikola Parov, New York based and playing in the world-famous formation RIVERDANCE."
Nikola Parov is a featured artist in the Riverdance Orchestra, playing a wide variety of instruments: kaval, gadulka, bouzuki and gaida. As well as recording with Bill Whelan, Andy Irvine, Zsarátnok, and Márta Sebestyén and composing dance music for the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.
“Budapest producer, Nikola Parov, not only constructs modern chamber-folk arrangements... but also plays a staggering array of instruments himself.”
1. Anonym
2. Trance Danubius
3. Diva's Smile
4. Mayo Woman
5. Satyr's Night
6. Tsami
7. Ritual
8. Passio
Musicians:
Nikola Parov - vocals, acoustic guitar, oud, bouzouki, gaida, kaval, gadulka, flute, tin whistle, clarinet, piano, keyboards, programming, percussion
Berecz András - vocals
Des Moore - electric guitar
Zoltán Lantos - violin
Mairtin O'Connor - accordion
Davy Spillane - pipes
Kenneth Edge - soprano saxophone
Ferenc Kovács - trumpet
Ottó Rácz - oboe
Noel Eccles - drums, timpani, percussion
Link
"The second record by Montreal's Black Ox Orkestar places the group at the forefront of a 'new Jewish music' that rejects contemporary fusion and musty nostalgia in equal measure. With backgrounds in folk, punk-rock and free jazz, the group's four musicians distill Balkan, Central Asian, Arabic and Slavic sources into a coherent, impassioned sound that gives teeth to old Jewish songs. Never relying on museum-piece reverence or an obvious, forced collision of musical forms, Black Ox is rewriting a Yiddish songbook in ways that sound organically anchored to tradition without being suffocated by it. Nisht Azoy (Not Like This) builds dramatically on Black Ox's debut (Ver Tanzt?), striking a similar balance between vocal and instrumental tunes, but with more intensity, mystery, and a readiness to stretch things out, whether in the incantatory opener "Bukharian" or the clomping crescendos of "Az Vey Dem Tatn" and "Tsvey Tabelakh". Further upping the ante with greater use of percussion and group singing, the band's entirely acoustic instrumentation pumps and pulses with explosive energy and emotion. Radwan Moumneh captures the 4-piece band (at Montreal's Hotel2Tango studio) with a detailed warmth and authority, and a large cast of guest players expands the group to bona fide orchestral size on "Tsvey Tabelakh". The slow plaintiveness of vocal songs "Ikh Ken Tsvey Zayn" and "Golem" rank among the group's most spine-tingling, mesmerising moments. "Ratsekr Grec" summons a Balkan dance rhythm in one of the album's more overtly traditional arrangements, adding a flurry of colliding horns down the home stretch. Taken as a whole, the cycle of songs on Nisht Azoy further opens up a world, inspired by Jewish diasporic culture and politics, that challenges conventional appropriations and forges music that is highly original, deeply felt and very much alive. As the band writes: "Nisht Azoy is the melancholy and uncompromising sound of our mongrel music splitting at the seams, the boat creaking as we drag our friends on board. As we sing in Tsvey Taybelakh: 'When you come to a strange city, my love / Think of my words / When you come to deep waters, my love / You will not drown in sorrow / When you come to great fires, my love / You will not be burnt in sorrow.'"
1.Bukharian
2.Az Vey Dem Tatn
3.Violin Duet
4.Ikh Ken Tsvey Zayn
5.Ratsekr Grec
6.Tsvey Taybelakh
7.Dorbriden
8.Golem
Link
"Where the previous two albums from Leicestershire based A Hawk And A Hacksaw were dark and dusty delights that happily referenced such disparate genres as the Spaghetti Western, Captain Beefheart and Raymond Scott, their new LP 'The Way The Wind Blows' is a far lighter affair that shifts it focus squarely onto folk traditions. Sharing two members with Beirut (Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost), A Hawk And A Hacksaw explore a similar aural topography - with the opening 'In The River' full of lazy horns, wheezing melodies and waltzing accordion, all of which conspire to create a wonderfully rolling Bavarian folk atmosphere. Partly recorded in a remote Romanian village with members of Fanfare Ciocarlia (recent winners of Best European Artist at the Radio 3 World Music Awards), 'The Way The Wind Blows' really does sound timeless; conjuring up images of dusky mountains and bustling villages. Choosing a dramatic stomp that has a distinctly Turkish flavour, the title track is a rich and rimy affair that juxtaposes an ominous accordion line with some piquant strings which prevent the piece becoming dour or overcast. From here, 'Song For Joseph' introduces militaristic drums to a pathos drenched vocal that will keep pulling you in despite its poignant undertow, 'God Bless The Ottoman Empire' is a jaunty slice of indie-folk that wouldn't sit out of place on college radio, whilst 'GaDJe Sirba' cross-breeds Eastern Europe with Duke Ellington style horns. It works far better in the ear than it does on paper... Closing with the couplet of 'Salt Water' and 'There Is A River In Gailsteo' (the former a brooding piano and string epic, the latter a tender shimmering lament), The Hawk And The Hacksaw have made an album that sticks to its musical ethics doggedly whilst losing not a jot of listenability."
01.In The River
02.Way The Wind Blows
03.Song For Joseph
04.Fernando's Giampari
05.God Bless The Ottoman Empire
06.Waltz For Strings And Tuba
07.Oporto
08.Gadje Sirba
09.Sparrow
10.Salt Water
11.There Is A River In Galisteo
Link
Yat-Kha come from Tuva, out on the borders of Siberia and western Mongolia. They dress like throw-backs to the hippy psychedelic era, and create some of the most extraordinary noises on the planet. Albert Kuvezin is an exponent of the local style of throat-singing, which allows the performer to hold more than one note at once while producing surely the deepest growls on record. He is also a guitarist who likes to switch between gentle acoustic passages and frantic electric solos, and he leads a band that also includes such traditional Tuvan stringed instruments as the Igil. The resulting songs are gloriously exhilarating, being at their best treating Tuva's gutsy traditional songs to the trademark blend of wild rhythm and growls. These range from exuberant growled rockers like Come Along to slow growled ballads, all with lyrics in English and sounding as if he is desperate to join the western pop mainstream.
01. Come Along / A.Kuvezin
02. Amby Baryp / trad.arr.A.Kuvezin-K.Mongush
03. Langchyy Boom / trad.arr. YAT-KHA
04. Carry Me Through / A.Kuvezin
05. Dorug Daiym / trad.arr. YAT-KHA
06. Coming Buddha / A.Kuvezin
07. Eki Attar / trad.arr. YAT-KHA
08. The Steppe, The City, The Sea / A.Kuvezin
09. Uzhur-La Bar / A.Kuvezin
10. Khandagaity / trad.arr. YAT-KHA
11. Voyager / A.Kuvezin
12. Teve-Khaia / trad.arr.A.Kuvezin
13. Tuva.Rock / A.Kuvezin
14. Amby Baryp (remix) / trad.arr.A.Kuvezin-K.Mongush
Link
Soundtrack for 2006 film composed by Tony Gatlif (Gypsy music).
01. Tchiki Tchiki - Tony Gatlif, Beata Palya
02. Fureur - Tony Gatlif, Beata Palya
03. Mahala - Tony Gatlif
04. Le vent - Tony Gatlif, Beata Palya
05. Le chant du Pope - Tony Gatlif
06. Mamaliga - Tony Gatlif
07. Doina Ciorba - Sandu Ciorba, Tony Gatlif
08. La fête des masques - Tony Gatlif, Beata Palya
09. Je t'ai cherché - Tony Gatlif, Beata Palya
10. Le tzigane heureux - Tony Gatlif
11. Déchirant - Tony Gatlif
12. Tchiki Ciorba - Tony Gatlif, Sandu Ciorba
13. Le Regret - Tony Gatlif
14. Fureur intrumental - Tony Gatlif
15. Promesse Live - Tony Gatlif
16. Le souffle - Tony Gatlif
17. Libre Zingarina - Tony Gatlif
18. Promesse Tony - Gatlif, Beata Palya
Link
ALTAI THROAT SINGING
Back in ancient times Altai was populated by a spiritual civilization. At present the civilization is gradually fading away, but its glow still remains in the form of Altaikai throat singing. Altai kai nowadays is the bridge between the ancient spiritual world of Altai and modern civilization.
A throat singing band "AltaiKai" was founded in 1997. Its goal is conservation and development of the Altai traditional culture and customs. "AltaiKai" is:
- a prize-winner of All-Russia and international festivals and competitions;
- a member of the Russian Federation's folk-lore union.
- a member of the international organization of folk art of UNESCO.
- a winner of the UNESCO prize. Samarkand. 2001.
- a record-holder of the Guinness' "Book of the Achievements and Records" for the longest performance of throat singing in 2003.
- a gold medal winner of the Moscow "Delfiyski Plays" in 2000.
- a gold medal winner at the international festival of throat singing "Dyhanie Zemli" ("the Ground's Breath"). Ulan-Ude. 2005.
- a winner of the G.I. Choros-Gurkin's prize of the Republic of Altai.
The band performed in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Czech, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey and the USA.
The members of the group organized three throat singing festivals "Altyn Taiga", where representatives from the Republics of Tyva and Khakasia and such foreign countries as Japan, England and the USA participated.
Despite the fact that Altai throat singing is a tradition with centuries-long history, nowadays it is still a well-established and demanded part of contemporary world music.
01. Baatyrdyng Soozi (Warrior's Words)
02. Altaiym (My Altai)
03. Alkyshtar (Prayers)
04. Kara-suu (Spring Water)
05. Ulaganym jaanyr (Janger Style Song from Ulagan)
06. Shunu Baatyr (Shunu Warrior)
07. Komuzym, oino, oino (Play, Play, My Khomus)
08. Jebren kai la tunur (Ancient Kai Song amd Tunur-Drum)
09. Oyim, oyim
10. Jai (Summer)
11. Kaan Altai (Khan-Altai)
12. Juuchyldar (Hero-Warriors)
13. +Bonus Jai. Slush (Al Korchagin) feat. AltaiKai "Bathing birds remix".
Link
The Armenian Navy Band was founded by the percussionist/vocalist of Armenian descent, Arto Tunçboyaciyan. Music is a fundamental element of his life, by which he tries to communicate his greatest values:"love, respect and truth".
The group is composed of twelve Armenian musicians, among the best that live in Armenia at the moment. The compositions are all original of Arto Tunçboyaciyan which -using his words - "have the sound of my life".
This music is pervaded by sonorities taken from the Armenian and Anatolian tradition fused with elements coming from different musical experiences, amongst them jazz.
Arto's original compositions express the sound of the past generations along with today's life; this is what he calls "avant-garde folk". We can say that the Armenian Navy Band represents the synthesis of Arto's musical journey and life experiences. As an ensemble with particular virtuosity, it also has great ability in performing live music and compositions taken from the tradition and from the current culture of Armenia.
The musicians of this ensemble range from ages 20-45. The instruments vary from traditional: duduk, zurna, kemanche, kanun to contemporary: trombone, alto sax, tenor, soprano sax, trumpet, bass, drums, keyboard and piano. This ensemble together with the unique vocals and percussion and sazabo of Arto creates a musical journey of the past and present, bringing the sound into the future.
01.: They Love Me 15 Feet Away
02.: Rooster Run
03.: My Aunt Mary Doesn't Care About My Jacket
04.: Shadows Of Clean Spirits
05.: Can Money Buy Royalty
06.: Love Respects Truth
07.: Blue Chestnuts
08.: Kudumda
09.: Don't Go Far Away From Yourself
10.: ANB Sailing Song
11.: One Up One Down Sometimes Make A Left Turn
12.: New Apricot
13.: Let's Have Fun At The Border
MUSICIANS:
* Arto Tunçboyaciyan - Percussions, vocals, sazabo
* Anahit Artushyan - Kanun
* Armen Ayvazyan - Kemanche
* Armen Hyusnunts - Tenor & soprano sax
* Ashot Harutiunyan - Trombone
* David Nalchajyan - Alto sax
* Tigran Suchyan - Trumpet
* Norayr Kartashyan - Blul, duduk, zurna
* Vardan Grigoryan - Duduk, zurna
* Arman Jalalyan - Drums
* Vahagn Hayrapetyan - Piano, keyboards
* Vardan Arakelyan - Bass
Link
Beáta Salamon whose singing voice and virtuosity on the violin are the specialities of Méta founded the ensemble. This formation is working together since 1999. The very base of our work is playing in dance houses. We learn our musical repertoire from archive material and from our own collections. We try to pass on our personal experiences to our students in the art school, at our courses in folk music and in our summer camps.
In different plays, we have performed in the most popular theatres of Hungary. Our adventure into world music is the Heavy Méta formation, in which perform the experts of the Hungarian blues-life too. As a representative of the Hungarian folklore movement, our band regularly gives concerts at home and abroad and also performs at international festivals and musical competitions.
The important points in our career:
1983 The title of the "Young Masters of Folk Art"
1990 MTV (Hungarian Television) Competition for Folk Ensembles - first prize
1999 eMeRTon-Prize (Hungarian Radio Ltd.)
Our adventure into world music is the Heavy Méta formation, in which such experts of the Hungarian blues-life perform as Tamás Takáts, Zoltán Sipeki, György Ferenczi and Gábor Molnár.
01. Free bird
02. I like you
03. Mária,Mária
04. Pace
05. Love
06. Moldva
07. Pentecostal rose
08. Variations
09. Spring,spring
10. Black mourning
11. Manly
12. Paradise
Beáta Salamon-voice, fiddle - leader
Attila Gera-wind instruments
Zsolt Nagy-3 and 4 stringed viola, drum
Zoltán Porteleki-hammered dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, viola
Mohácsy Albert-double bass, cello, koboz, gardon
Ferenc Németh-voice, drum
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
This is a real curio! This disk in Switzerland in 1979, it was published in only some hundred copies. The music the folk the superb alloy of the rock and the jazz.
Az Unikumot a Gépfolklór együttesből kivált zenészek 1978-ban alakították. Az együttest előbb ismerték külföldön, mint itthon, nyugatnémet fesztiválokon vettek részt, 1979-ben Svájcban nagylemezük jelent meg, csupán pár százas példányszámmal, ez az egy lemezük létezik. Zenéjükben a folk, a rock és a jazz stílusjegyeit ötvözik.
01 Extase
02 Little Bird
03 Suite De Danses De Roumanie Et Dobrudza
04 Mon Coeur Soigne
05 Musique Bulgare
06 Crepuscule-Aube
07 Danses De Szatmár
Róbert György - drums, blockflute, voice;
Balázs János - violin, double bass, voice;
Matolcsy Eszter - violin, voice;
Dabasi Péter - mandolin, guitar, cello, voice.
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
The story of Barbaro:
It was a new years eve party back in 1986 when Herpai and Jorgosz met. They had a blast… As a matter of fact they had so much fun that they decided to form a band. After the drunkennes was gone the plan was still alive and the band was coming together quickly.
In February of '87 in the basement of the Lágymányos Community Centre the "ancient" Barbaro started rehearsing. Sándor Cziranku - guitar, Sándor Herpai - drums, Miklós Lengyelfi II. - bass, Ökrös Csaba - violin and Tzortzoglou Jorgosz - lead vocal and derbuca. The Band first live gig took place at the Diósgyõr Folk Festival in the summer of '87. The Band's unusual sound was a huge success. The first formation of the group didn't live too long. First Ökrös, then Lengyelfi said good bye to Barbaro. They got replaced by Nikola Parov and Tamás Zsoldos.
Barbaro made its first album in 1990 with it's new line-up. The album contained covers of folk songs and it was released on Hungaroton Records. Titled simply: Barbaro I.
01 - Kerek a szöllö (Round Is The Grape)
02 - Haramia (Brigand)
03 - Bánat (Grief)
04 - Kórus (Choir)
05 - Elment az én rózsám (My Rose Is Gone)
06 - Adjon az Isten (God Give You)
07 - Kesergés (Lamentation)
08 - Gyere ki te (Come Out You)
09 - Barbár tánc (Barbaric Dance)
10 - Hösi ének (Heroic Song)
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
"Folkrádió is a not-for-profit, 24-hour online radio service featuring traditional folk music. It primarily broadcasts Hungarian folk music, but music of other peoples and ethnic groups living in the Carpathian Basin, as well as other types of music of folk origin also can be heard on Folkrádió. The Folkrádió Foundation has been founded to maintain the radio and the website.
The idea of Folkrádió was born at the end of 2001. Since traditional folk music could hardly be heard on any channel, we felt it important to have a radio that filled this gap. After creating the necessary technical and legal conditions, on March 15, 2003 the first, experimental show went on the air. Folkrádió is run by enthusiastic folk music lovers who receive no compensation for their work. Currently the radio can only be heard online but we plan to launch the service via other channels as well.
In the meantime many supporters and volunteers have assisted the project. Among our professional supporters we are proud to mention the Hungarian Heritage House and the folklorist István Pávai whose advices and assistance means particularly much to us. We work together with a lot of folk music labels, musicians and collectors, therefore new releases appear almost immediately on our playlist.
The folkradio.hu domain name not only leads to a folk music radio channel but also includes a searchable folk music database and an Internet meeting place for folk music lovers. On our Hungarian-language pages visitors can also find lyrics, an event calendar, a press review, a photo gallery, links, a forum and a mailing list.
We hope Folkrádió will continue to spread and share the love for this beautiful music for a long time."
Folkradio
New acoustic music mixing Hungarian trad components into jazzish, eclectically influenced arrangements on sax, folk flutes, guitar, mandolin, percussion etc. Cellist Judit Bonyár's vocals move from trad through Piaf-esque to jazz. Ingenious and well played but seems so carefully planned and rehearsed it doesen't quite break loose and stir.
01 Esőtánc
02 Elrepülnék
03 Szerelem
04 Porba húzó
05 Elvirágzik
06 Jaj, de bolond
Judit Bonyár – vocal, cello, pipe
József Gáspár „Gazsi” - saxophone, flute, trumpet, vocal, mouth organ
Péter Hűvösvölgyi – guitars, mandolin
Zoltán Tóth „Csüli” - drums, percussion
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
Journey in Gitania to obtain an insinght into the wonderful world of the gypsy folk music.
A cigány folklór eredendően világzene. Internacionalizmusát mi sem bizonyítja jobban, mint hogy a Vízöntő együttes Gitania Express című albumán a régi magyar udvarházak világa éppúgy megelevenül, mint a spanyol románcok esengése.
01.Jabipapi
02.Coki kutya (Be off Dog)
03.Álom álom (Dream Dream)
04.Árva árva (Orphaned)
05.Kirci kondás (Swineherd You)
06.Cigány valcer (Gypsy Waltz)
07.Fáj a kutyámnak (My Dog`s Foot)
08.Üssetek verjetek (Give me a Good Drubbing)
09.Uccu kurva (Get on You Whore)
10.Szilvaédes (Plumpsweet)
11.Azt hittem (I Thought)
Link
Ando Drom (On the Road) Gypsy folklore group was founded in Budapest 1984. This was their first release and is on their own label. They make their own arrangements as well as composing their own material. The songs are sung in Gypsy Language, accompanied by guitar, mandolin and tambura; for percussion they use spoons, jugs, wooden through and oral bass.
The group generally performs with 8 members, but for their concerts they also often invite young talented Gypsy musicians as special guests.
Since the members come from different segments of the Hungarian Gypsy population, the group presents a wide range of styles and variations within Gypsy music and culture.
They present the traditional music and dances of the Gypsy people in an authentic and, at the same time, modern way. In addition to their concert tours abroad, they often perform in Hungary, where Ando Drom is considered to be one of the most renowned Gypsy folklore groups. They were honoured twice with "Nívó-díj", a high Hungarian musical award.'
01 - Mori Gázshi (My Wife)
02 - Bajba, Bajba Pélem (I Got into Trouble)
03 - Zöld az erdő (Green Is the Forest)
04 - Lindráji Szi Ádi Gilyi (Sleepy Is This Song)
05 - Ná Kámel Tná (Does Not Love Me)
06 - Áháj Delvá (Oh My God)
07 - Pundela
08 - Le Shavore (The Kids)
09 - Kanak Szomasz (When I Was a Little Boy)
10 - Szi Ek Sej (She Is the One)
11 - Csasco Jilo (My Gypsy Darling)
12 - Khaj Phirel O del (Where Can God Be)
Musicians:
János "Guszti" Lakatos - jug, oral bass
Mónika Juhász "Mitsoura"- vocal, oral bass
Mónika Horváth- voice
Antal "Anti" Kovács jr - voice, guitar, oral bass
Jenõ Zsigó - voice, guitar, mandolin, tambura, oral bass
Antal "Goima" Kovács - vocal, wooden spoon, oral bass
István Balogh - wooden trough, oral bass
Guests:
Kálmán Balogh - cimbalom
József Parádi - contrabass, bass guitar
Kornél Horváth - percussion
Lajos Kathy Horváth - violin
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
Bugotak plays Siberian music in a traditional folk basis, but their musical references are so diverse to be classified by genre (let's call it Siberian Contemporary music). They even dare to cover rock classics, in their traditional Siberian instruments. The main idea of Bugotak's art is that only those traditions come alive, which develop itselves; stark traditions are subject to nobody. Therefore, the project declares itself to play in any style, keeping native Siberian spirit. Lovers of 'pure folk' should stay away, to avoid stagnation of native folk’s culture.
Bugotak is an ethnic project found in 2004 in Novosibirsk, Russia, by Sayan Andriyanov, a multi-instrument player and throat singing performer.
01. Kujma An Ude-- traditional song
02. Tompo Evenki - traditional sond about Tampo river
03. Charash Toola a "goodwish" - song in Southern Altai (Kazakh) tradition
04. Ajan eke-eke, muhene! - Negidaltsy free-manner song about performer's life.
05. Altyn Achyk - Siberian Gipsy manner
06. Gongoini Orochi - shamanists performance
07. Oito Lo Kys Oiroth's - (Northern Altai) tradition
08. Bahatsadzadzaryn - Close to Koryaki ekengynmyn
09. Nergedej Eveny - elk ritual
10. Limbi, kargyraa,- top-shur Variations to 'The Horse King', Eastern Tuva
11. Tompo beat
12. Min Chuguruk Final joke: Deep Purple in tuvan style
Link
Irén Lovász is not only one of the most respected Hungarian folk singers in the world. She is also an academic scholar in Human Sciences, she is a doctor (PhD) of Ethnography. She combines very well her scientific knowledge and her musical talent in her solo concerts, lectures and performances. Irén grew up in the middle of Hungary. In her family folk songs were sung on a daily basis and she learned her first folk songs from her parents and grandparents. As a university student of Linguistics and Literary Sciences she went on singing and began to collect and study ancient Hungarian folk songs in different regions of Hungary and the Carpathian Basin: Romania, Slovakia, Croatia among ethnic Hungarians.
From 1987 - 1995 she worked as an ethnomusicologist at the Hungarian Museum of Ethnography, Department of Ethnomusicology dealing with the famous collection of Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály and László Lajtha.
In 2003 she has got The SINGER OF THE YEAR eMeRton AWARD in Hungary.
In 2005 she set up a new band, and with them she made a new cd: Cloud Doors. The new music is based on archaic Hungarian folk songs, sacred songs and medieval Gregorian chants. The style is: ethno-jazz, worldmusic, crossover.
01 Motto
02 Polorum Regina
03 Angyali üdvözlet / Angelic Salutation
04 Én fölkelék / I arose (első versszak nélkül)
05 Ó, Szent István / Oh, Saint Stephen
06 Ave Maris Stella
07 Alle-alleluja / Alle-alleluyah
08 Mária, Mária / Mary, Mary
09 Menybe vitt leány / The Girl Taken up to Heaven
10 Fellegajtó / Cloud-doors
11 Altató / Lullaby (Én fölkelék, első versszakkal)
LOVÁSZ Irén (ének / voice)
LUKÁCS Miklós (cimbalom)
SZOKOLAY DONGÓ Balázs (duda, furulya, szaxofon / bagpipe, recorder, saxophone)
MIZSEI Zoltán (szintetizátor, ének / synthesizer, voice)
FARKAS Zoltán (gitár, basszusgitár / guitar, bass guitar)
GYULAI Csaba Gyulai (ütőhangszerek / percussion)
Link
Balogh Kálmán is one the foremost Hungarian players of the cimbalom, a type of hammer dulcimer played with mallets like a vibraphone. Gypsy jazz continues a fabled European musical tradition harking back to the collaboration of masters such as gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, connecting the ancient folk music traditions to Central and Eastern Europe with the chord progressions and swing of jazz. Balogh's cimbalom becomes a new and compelling voice centering a band that also includes acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, trumpet and violins.
01. Gypsy Colours
02. Calusul Dance
03. Transylvania Suite
04. Hora (F# minor)
05. Klezmer Tunes
06. Hora de la Bim-Bim
07. Suite for Trumpet
08. A Csitári Hegyek Alatt
09. Macedon Tunes
10. The Lark
11. Bolgar Gypsy Horo
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
The school in Subotica (the centre of Voevodina – Serbian territory inhabited mainly by Hungarians). In the past decade such gifted talents have completed their studies there as violinists Félix Lajkó and Szilárd Mezei, who, by creating their own musical language, set out into the wide world and found explicit success. founding members of this new hot band come from the music Genuine Subotica atmosphere; carefree elegance or rather, an elegant looseness. Sneaking the Balkans into Europe, or the opposite, sneaking Europe into the Balkans? While they are on fire and have the facility for improvisation, their music is closer to the Balkans rather than to some imagined European idyll that might inspire a striving for faultlessness and precision. And it will be fine like this as long as Csaba Pásztor writes tunes, as long as we sway our heads to the wonderful voice of Tijana and as long as after listening to a particular tune a hundred times we still do not get bored with it (such as Fresh Girl!) – because through this music we will love Paniks and also life itself!
1. Devojka
2. Friss lány (Fresh Girl)
3. Kandes Tsirkec
4. Jelena
5. Beguine
6. Clavire
7. Homage
8. Magla
Csaba Pásztor - solo violin, viola, percussion, reed, vocal
Todorovic Vladimir - guitar, percussion, vocal
Stankovic Tijana - voice, violin
Knezevic Nenad - accordion, vocal
Róbert Verebes - double bass
Tibor Takács (Faki) - big drum, percussion, vocal
Featuring:
Kurina Michael - cimbalom
Virovac Krunoslav - percussion
Róbert Ambrus - percussion, vocal
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
"Authentic Hungarian folk music from Bogyiszló (West of Hungary) can be heard on this recording and you can hear how it was played by a gypsy band in the seventies. Also a new style of "csardas" from Györgyfalva is performed by musicians from Kalotaszeg and you can listen to an unusual work in which gipsy dance and American swing is mixed.
This is a short preview but I think music will tell you everything."
A magyarországi népzenei élet 10. éve elismert közreműködője a Csík zenekar. Népszerűségüket számos sikeres koncert, táncház és zenei kiadvány tette egyre népszerűbbé, nemcsak itthon, hanem külföldön is. A szakmai közönség elismerését az is bizonyítja, hogy 1991-ben elnyerték a Népművészet Ifjú Mestere címet. 1992-ben pedig a Kiváló Művészeti Együttes díját is megkapták. Sydneyben, a 2000. évi nyári olimpiai játékok kulturális rendezvényein képviselték Magyarországot, több más neves előadóművésszel együtt.
A zenekar vezetője Csík János a következőképp ajánlja az albumot: "Ezen a hanglemezen egyaránt hallható az autentikus magyar népzene a dunántúli Bogyiszlóról, ahogyan azt az ott muzsikáló cigányzenekar a 70-es években játszotta, megszólalnak új stílusú lakodalmi csárdások Györgyfalváról, amiket a legutóbbi években is muzsikálnak a kalotaszegi zenészek, és sok egyéb szép zene közt egy szokatlan feldolgozás is, ahol együtt szólal meg a magyarpalatkai lassú cigánytánc az amerikai swing zenével. Talán rövid ez az ismertető, de úgy hiszem, a zene szebben mond el mindent, mint én a szavakon bukdácsolva."
01. Hallgató, csárdás, ugrós és friss Bogyiszlóról
02. Szilágysági csárdás és cigánycsárdás
03. Bihari román táncmuzsika
04. "Két út van előttem..."
05. Ádámosi csárdás és friss
06. Öreges pontozó amúgy fiatalosan
07. "Én vagyok az aki nem jó"
08. Legényes
09. Lakodalmi csárdás és szapora Györgyfalváról
10. "A kor falára"
11. Altató
12. Keserédes nosztalgia
Musicians:
János Csík - violin, voice
Marianna Majorosi - voice
Dudás Mihály Dresch - flute, saxophon
Tamás Kunos - viola, kontra
Sánta Janos - double bass
Ifj. Zsolt Barcza - cimbalom, accordion
Attila Szabó - violin, first tambura, voice
Guests:
Kálmán Balogh - cimbalom
Gyula Bacsa - piano
Szabolcs Balogh - drum
Norbert Hevesi - double bass
Márta Horváth - vocals
László Lukács - dancer
Zoltán Nagy - guitar
Zoltán 'Pipi' Sipeki - solo guitar
János Szabó - tambura viola
Csaba Talabos - drum
Part I.
Part II.
Tuvan throat singing meets the electric guitar on the steppes and rocks!
"The voices are extraordinary, ranging from a melodic ox bellow called kargyraa to the "whistling" sygyt style that suggests a flying saucer revving its hyperdrive. But Aldyn Dashka improves on its predecessor, Dalai Beldiri, with songs as memorable as the throat singing within. When Albert Kuvezin croaks the tender nature tune "Chorumal Bodum" in a rock-bottom bass timbre that might make Bigfoot quake, he's handsomely framed by a two-stringed igil fiddle, throbbing electric guitar, and trotting bass. "Kozhamyk" contrasts Kuvezin's gravelly tones with Aldyn-ool Sevek's heroic operatic tenor that's as clear as a Siberian stream. Both are lifted by a vowel-packed chorus and wah-wah guitar figures that somehow fit right into a folkie song about the attributes of local womenfolk. Just a hint of dub piano complements the brew.
The third album from Yat-Kha finds them very much refining the process begun on their first two albums. The throat singing remains the central focus, but their way of framing it in a wondrous mix of modern and ancient instruments has become very subtle indeed, whether it's the reverse cymbals behind "Oy Adym" or the programming and textures of "Chedi Tei" and "Takh-Pakh Chaskhy Tan." As before, the guitar plays a very important part, played by bandleader Albert Kuvezin, giving a real jolt (along with Alexei Saaia's bass) to the acoustic lineup, and hurling it into another dimension, even though he doesn't use distortion or power chords.
01. Oy Adym (My Gray Horse)
02. Tozhu Kyzy (Tozhu Girl)
03. Chorumal Bodum (I am a Traveler)
04. Kozhamyk (Ditty)
05. Chedi Tei (Seven Hills)
06. Tyva Kyztar (Tuvan Girls)
07. Takh-Pakh Chaskhy Tan (Spring Breeze)
08. Bai-La Mongun (Rich Silver Mountain)
09. Oi Moroz (O Frost)
10. Sambazhyktyn-Yry (Song of Sambazhyk)
11. Khary Kyigy (The Call)
12. Aldyn Dashka (The Golden Cup)
Yat-Kha from Tuva:
Albert KUVEZIN – voice, guitar, yat-kha
Aldyn-ool SEVEK – voice, igil, morinhuur
Alexei SAAIA – morinhuur, bass, bvoice
Zhenya TKACHOV – kengyrgy, percussion, voice
Mikhail "Mahmoud" SKRIPALTSCHCHIKOV – bass
Sailyk OMMUN – yat-kha, voice
Radik TIULIUSH – vox, igil
Aias-ool DANZYRYN – voice, shanzi
Guests from London:
Martyn BARKER – snare-drum on "Kyigy"
Steve GOULDING – drum-kit on "Oy Adym"
Link
"Muzsikás - Within each genre that comes to North America as "world music," there is always one group of musicians designated as emissaries, virtually equated with that music for a time. In Hungarian folk circles, that group is Muzsikás".
01. Nem úgy van most, mint volt régen (It Is Not Like It Used to Be)
02. Adjon Isten minden jót (God Bless It All)
03. Tudod-e édesem (You Know Darling)
04. Mezöségi tánc (Folkdance)
05. Altató (Lullaby)
06. Félre gatya, pendely (I Want It All)
07. Vonat (Train - Bagpipe Improvisation)
08. Hulljatok levelek (Falling Leaves)
09. Legényes II (Lads Dance II)
10. Mikor mentem hazafelé (On the Way Home)
Musicians:
Márta Sebestyén - voice, recorder
Sándor Csoóri - guitar, hurdy-gurdy, viola, kobsa.
Éri Péter - double bass, buzuki, cello, viola, tambura, töröksip, folk shawm,
Dániel Hamar - double bass
Mihály Sipos - violin, zither.
Link
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"Úzgin Űver was formed in 1991 in Kecskemet, Hungary. The name itself is the name of a Mongolian settlement, where an ancient sacred burial ground was discovered. It means something like ’dry desert area’, ’poor harvest’. The music is almost entirely instrumental, even the human voice is used as an instrument. Our aim from the beginning has been to create a unique blend of the folk music of different nations, using old and new instruments, sounds, tunes. Some characteristic instruments are: sax, clarinet, different kinds of flute, zurna, kaval, duduk, Jewish harp, bagpipes, violin, drums, percussions, electric guitar, sampler, HD-recorder and Tuva-style vocal."
01.I.
02.II.
03.III.
04.IV.
05.V.
06.VI.
07.VII.
08.III.
09.IX.
10.X.
11.XI.
12.XII.
13.XIII.
14.XIV.
15.XV.
16.XVI.
17.XVII.
18.XVIII.
19.XIX.
20.XX.
Farkas Marcsi - violin, vocals;
Homoki Péter- guitar, keyboards, sampler, percussions;
Majoros gyula - clarinet, flutes, kaval, zurna, gaida, duduk, vocals;
Szilágyi Áron - jew's harps;
Almási Krisztián - drums
Paizs Miklós - furulya, trumpet, doromb, bells, dorombének
Part I.
Part II.
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The resulting Balkan Blues anthology sheds a new and different light on the deeply rooted cultural traditions and views that have so often sparked political and religious conflict in this region, for this double CD clearly shows that the music of the Balkans knows no national or ethnic boundaries. Balkan Blues is a musical journey through seven different countries, tracing two aspects of the Balkan soul – on the one hand, ballads that tell of pain and hope, and on the other hand the magical exuberance of the virtuoso performances that accompany joyous celebrations.
From Romania, we hear the melancholy ballads of the great masters Toni Iordache and Dumitru Farcas on cimbalon and taragot, and the legendary fiddler Stoican. We hear the inimitable vocal polyphony of Bulgaria and Albania, as well as a Wallachian Suite by the Bulgarian All Star Orchestra and some incredible solos on ancient instruments such as the gadulka, the kaval and the gaida. Greece brings us the highly accoladed clarinetist Petro-Loukas Chalkias with his Kompania, traditional remebtiko songs with original instruments, maverick lyra player Psanrantonis, and the gently poetic songs of Loudovikos. Serbia’s favourite musicians present the wild side of totally unfettered celebration. From the Bosnian mountains, we hear a heart-rending ballad of love. Macedonia is represented by Esma Redzepova, queen of Roma song, and by the brass orchestral sound that is to be found only in the Balkans, as well as by legendary clarinetist Ferus Mustafov, who composed the title track specially for this anthology.
More than half the tracks in this collection have never been recorded before, or are recorded here on CD for the first time. The lucid text was written by Professor Dr Manfred Bartmann of the University of Salzburg, a recognised authority on Balkan music. As he writes, "The 34 tracks on this CD eloquently document that the musical styles of the Balkans were never really "national" styles. In this awareness lies a glimmer of hope."
Disc: 1
01. Livezile Lui Ion - Achim Mica
02. Sâmbra Oilor Din Maramures - Dumitru Farcas
03. Si Hora - Ion Petre Stoican
04. De la Hulbesti (Si Voce) - Vasile Pandelescu
05. Geamparallele Lui Haidim - Toni Iordache
06. Mikro Kopelidaki Mou - Psarantonis & Ensemble
07. Afou 'Heis Allon Sti Kardia - Ross Daly
08. Mana - Loudovikos Ton Anoyion
09. Tesko Oro - Ensemble Rakija
10. Chelipe (Kolo) - Aleksander Sisic
11. Aven Romalen, Aven Cavalen - Vladimir Kandic
12. Edinaesetorca - Kocani Orkestar
13. Balkan Blues, Pt. 2 - King Ferus Mustafov, Milan Safkov
14. Cherenije - Esma Redzepova
15. Asene, Sinko - Mladen Kojnarov
16. Bavna Melodija I Râcenica - Dimitar Petrov
17. Stujan Otgore Vârvese - Komna Stojanova
18. Thëllëzë Që Shkel Mbi Vesë - Ensemble Tirana
Disc: 2
01. I Agápi Traguidiéte Pánta - Loudovikos Ton Anoyion
02. Emai Orfanós Apó Paidhí - Ross Daly, Nick Tramba
03. Skaros - Petro-Loucas Chalkias & Kompania
04. Oilor - Luca Novac
05. Inel, Inel, De Aur - Dona Dimitru Siminica
06. Balada Haiduceasca - Toni Iordache
07. Cantec de Maja - Vasile Vasilescu
08. Hora Be la Constanta - Ion Petre Stoican
09. Usti, Usti, Babo, O Davulja Maren - Olivera Katarina I Orkestar "Romalen"
10. Oh Ljubav, Ljubav - Ensemble Rakija
11. Preserka [#] - Blehorkestar Bakija Bakic
12. Balkan Blues - King Ferus Mustafov, Milan Safkov
13. Wallachian Suite - Brazilian All-Star Orchestra
14. Radka E Fljala V Gradina - Sestri Georgievi
15. Vito Pëllumbesha - Ensemble Tirana
16. Besèna Rovèna - Rromano Dives
Part I.
Part II.
Part III.
Part IV.
This is something of a 'best of' compilation of Kati's work between the years 1986 and 1996, much of it taken from now deleted albums. As always accompanying Kati are some of the best musicians in Hungary. This release makes for a superb introduction to the wide variety of folk songs and styles that Kati has recorded.
"Kati Szvorak is another singer in the Marta Sebestyen class. But it is Kati’s voice that’s the best instrument here, whether singing sweetly on a tender ballad or using that hard Balkan edge….. Pretty wonderful stuff."
Kati Szvorak has long been a favorite amongst the Táncház audience in Hungary. She has won many awards for her singing and work for folk art in her native Hungary. She has given over two thousand concerts in 27 countries, and has been featured on many other projects including the internationally successful recording ‘Deep Forest’ (1995). In 1999 she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival with the Hungarian all-star group ‘Kőfaragók - The Stonemasons’ to great critical acclaim.
I. Tiszavirág = May - fly
1. Pünkösdi rózsa = Love songs from Moldavia
2. Tavaszvilág = Spring customs song from Moldavia
3. Erdőjárás = Children's game song from Trasylvania
4. Szentiván = Midsummer songs from Zobor region
II.Télizöld = Winter's green
5. Segélj el = Wedding songs from Zobor region
6. Az árgyílus kismadár = Candle dance from Csallóköz
III.Tavaszi szél = Spring wind
7. Román variáció = Rumanian version from Bihar
8. Kontyoló = Kontyoló from Mezőség (Transylvania)
9. Szépen szól egy harang = Sad song from Moldavia
10. Vízöntős = "Vízöntős variation" from Moldavia
IV.Fagyöngy = Mistletoe
11. Bagolyasszonyka = Ballad from Mezőség Transylvania
12. Jajj, Istenem = Love songs from Székely region (Transylvania)
13. Pakular = White sheperd ballad from Moldavia
14. Ahol én elmegyek = "Wherever I go" from Moldavia
15. Bujdosik az árva madár = Dance melody from Gymes (Transylvania)
V.Bűnösök vagyunk? = Are we guilty?
16. Víg juhászok = Christmas song from Palóc region
17. Gyönyörű szép leány = Maria song from Pest region
18. Siralmas ez világ = "This world is deplorable" from Moldavia
19. Óévbúcsúztató = Old year off song from Szatmár
Collaborated in the completion of the album:
Balogh Kálmán
BEKECS
CSÁMBORGÓ
Havasréti Pál
HEGEDŐS
Juhász Zoltán
Kiss Ferenc
Kozák József
Rostás Tibor
VíZÖNTŐ
Link
The Szilvasi Gipsy Folk Band released their first album in 2001. The album contains mainly very lively concert recordings which not only present their unique style and impart the concert atmosphere, but also evidence the bands continuous communication with the audience.
The special elements of the performances can be found in the successful melding of the Oláh Gipsy's performance folklore and gipsy music, which can be observed in both their style and repertoire. An example of this is that their folk songs are accompanied not only by guitar, but also by violin, clarinet and double bass, the first two of which often perform virtuoso solos, in stark contrast to the customs of restaurant gipsy music. A large part of their repertoire consists of Oláh and Hungarian gipsy folk songs alongside Hungarian csárdás tunes with gipsy lyrics. The latter is especially interesting since it represents a renaissance of the csárdás, enhanced and reworked while the international importance of so-called “classical” csárdás music has waned significantly.
1. Ha megfogom az ördögöt...
Ajaj Ricsi Ricsi...
Naj la rotya naj gad...
2. Rumeláj...
3. Drakhorengi jakha
Szőlő szemek
4. Sel mure bakre szasz kethane
Száz bárányom volt együtt...
5. A cigány telepre...
6. Aj Devlale szo te kerav...
Aj Istenem, mit csináljak...
7. Ki látott már télen fecskét...
8. Kígyóballada
9. Ma som shavo haj, lovari
10. A pásztói halastó...
11. Kanna és szájbőgő improvizáció
12. Sun to szi o Del
Szent az István
13. Kothe besjom...
Ott ültem
14. Phurdel balval
Duj duj deshaduj
Szilvási István - vocals, vocal effects, spoon
Bangó Attila - vocals, guitar, vocal effects
Bangó Tibor - vocals, guitar, vocal effects, tambura
Szekeres Attila - jug (water can), derbouka, vocal effects
Bangó László - vocals, jug (water can), vocal effects
Nagy János - vocals, guitar, vocal effects
Also performing:
Setét Jenő - vocals
Lukács Csaba - clarinet
Oláh Ernő - violin
Rinkó Gábor - contrabass
Link
What might the line-up of a band formed in the countryside of the 21st century Carpathian Basin look like? Electric guitar, bass (guitar), viola, accordion, cimbalom, drums, violin and vocals, just as in the case of Napra? Perhaps.. It might be helpful to try and imagine how a village prímás living at the end of the 19th century would have reacted if he had been introduced to the music of Jimi Hendrix, for example. Has that been of any assistance? In any case, this promises to be an interesing adventure...
01. De sötétlik... / How Darkness Spread...
02. Jaj, a világ! / Oh, What A World!
03. Bánat, bánat / Sorrow, Sorrow
04. Ugrós / Ugrós (Leaping Dance)
05. Tekerős / Hurdy-gurdy
06. Pici Ház / Little House
07. Sas Ferenc / Sas Ferenc (Eagle Frankie)
08. Tisza partján / By The Tisza
09. Kalotaszegi hajnali és szapora / From Kalotaszeg
10. Elment az én rózsám... / My Rose Has Departed...
11. Cickom csárdás / Cickom Csárdás
Miklós Both - guitar, vitar (violin-guitar), voice, special effects
Kinga Krámli - voice
Máté Hegedűs - violin
Zoltán Bobár "Boby" - accordion, piano, 3-stringed viola, double bass, synthesizer
Kálmán Balogh - cimbalom
Csaba Winter - bass
Ferenc Pfeiler - drums
Featruing:
Márton Éri - viola
András Németh - hurdy-gurdy
Link
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.. The soul re-sounds, words sing, love’s doors is ringing”
"This record was born in Bartók’s honour, on the 125th anniversary of his birth. The Budapest Spring Festival asked me to create a piece of music to go on the same program with Bartók’s „Bluebeard’s Castle”. The idea was that Bartók’s sources for this opera – the most beautiful layers of Hungarian folk songs, ballads and instrumental folk music – should be performed by me and my colleagues. Specifically that we should make use of them in our own style, bringing them to life, re-creating our musical tradition. This is how „Lover’s doors” came about; through the balladic world of Bartók’s opera – another story is told in a cycle of seven movements. For help we summoned the dramatic density of folklore’s surreal and symbolic images along with the lively folk music and dance. Though we sing about mythical, poetically named women with fates similar to Judit’s, rather than leading to tragedy, love’s doors lead to hope. The passages neither separate nor conceal, they do not have doors locked with a key; they instead connect the many levels and paths of human feelings and emotions. Re-sounding, they propel our souls out of grief and sorrow into the light; out of misery towards recovery."
1. Tavaszkapu / Spring’s Gate
2. Balladavölgy / Valley of Ballads
3. Varázsmező / Enchanted Field
4. Selyemrét / Silk Meadow
5. Citruserdő / Citrus Forest
6. Fellegajtó / Heaven’s Door
7. Álomvíz / Dream Water
Bea Palya, Ági Szalóki, Kati Szvorák – voice
ETNOFON ZENEI TÁRSULÁS
Ferenc Kiss – violin, viola, voice
Zsigmond Lázár – violin
Mihály Huszár – double bass
Attila Korom – guitar
Dávid Küttel – synthesizer, accordion
Károly Babos – percussion
HEGEDŐS BAND
Csaba Ökrös – violin
Sándor D. Tóth – viola
Zsolt Kürtösi – double bass
Kálmán Balogh - cimbalom
Mihály Dresch „Dudás” – saxophone, wooden flute
Mátyás Bolya – koboz, zither
Pál Havasréti – hurdy-gurdy, hit gardon
Balázs Szokolay „Dongó” – saxophone, bagpipe, tárogató, kaval, wooden flutes, overtone singing
Link
Makám's music can be seen as a specialized branch of today's music with its own eclecticism. It is characterized by a synthesis of different organizational of forms, a special cohesion of influences of different kinds of musical inspiration and the result of studying contemporary music, archaic traditional music as well as the spontaneous improvisation of free music.
Makam was formed in 1984 with the purpose of establishing a peculiar form of community playing music, a special synthesis of harmonies, trying to show the common characteristics belonging together in music cultures of different peoples and contrasting musical forms.
01. Szindbád
02. Fonó
03. Mátyus
04. Kisteknőc
05. Malom
06. Panyiga
07. Este
08. Kis Mózes
09. Balaton
10. Tá tia tá
11. A néma halfiú
12. Vadgesztenye
13. Anzix
14. Zengővárkony
15. Vándor
16. Betlehem
17. Madárijesztő
18. Zöld csoda-fény (Weöres Sándor)
Musicians:
Zoltán Krulik - guitar, Indian harmonium, piano, voice
Irén Lovász - voice
Balázs Thurnay - kaval, tin whistle, Moldavian flute, marimba, earthen drum, voice
Eszter Krulik - violin, voice, whistle
Csaba Gyulai - Turkish violin, udu, drum, percussion
Zoltán Kovács - contrabass, cow bells
Composed by Zoltán Krulik
Link
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The Budapest Klezmer Band comes from the heart of Europe, from the very geographic location where Klezmer music originates. The Band's performance is an exciting musical experience in traditional Jewish folklore.'
The band is led by composer, arranger Ferenc Jávori, who was raised on Klezmer music in Munkács (Munkacevo, nowadays part of Ukraine). He learnt his trade from some of the last surviving musicians there, where music was an integral part of Jewish life. The BKB play Klezmer music that is seeped in traditional Jewish life and folklore.
Other members of the band are also exceptional musicians, being graduates of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music of Budapest.
01. Le chajem Rebbe
02. Klezmer Five
03. Solom alejxem
04. Tshiribim
05. Sha sha di Schwigern Kumt
06. Dem Rebin
07. Yiddishe Tango
08. Terkish Dance
09. Fraytik oyf der nakht
10. Di Sapozhkelekh
11. Chohmec
12. A Lidele is Idis
Musicians:
Ferenc Jávori - leader, piano, voice
István Kohán - clarinet
Katica Illenyi - violin, voice
Anna Nagy - accordion
Gábor Tamás - trombone
Gábor Kiss - double bass
Balázs Végh - drums, percussion
Link
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Ghymes Ensemble was formed in 1984 at Nitra University of Pedagogy in Slovakia. Initially they played Hungarian folk music but are now extending their repertoire to include music originating in other parts of Eastern and Southern Europe.
They have their own unique style which is continually developing. In addition to the traditional instruments played (violin, viola, dulcimer, bagpipes, contrabass, lute, kalabash zither, Turkish pipe), they also incorporate the saxophone, drums and synthesizer.
They say their objective in the music is to find a commonality between different people, races and religions of the world, and this is why they explore and develop the folk music of different countries. As their band member Andor Buják stated 'If the musicians open up their hearts on the stage, the audience can feel it. That's real magic for us.
"Mainly ... we play "Ghymes music" because unfortunately no other group plays this kind of music... It is true that from Tűzugráz we have used more electrical instruments and more drums, but this began already on the previous album, Üzenet [Message]. We will not change drastically, but every time we release a CD we feel we must add something and make it different from earlier albums. I hope we will be able to add something to every album. If not, we will stop playing."
The music is original, it is nostalgic and captures a feeling of ancient roots and a certain rebellious, revolutionary, heroic spirit. The connection with the past, the sense of belonging to the tribe is over-powering ...it is visceral music. Most of it sounds as if it dates back to the medieval and renaissance era. A few tracks sound as they can be traced to the very ancient past, when the Hungarian tribes camped out, after traveling several hundred miles. It seems as if they are recalling their journey of several thousands of miles -- as the pentatonic scaled Hungarian music is played, there are echoes that vibrate way back to Central Asia. The music is haunting and poignant. The lyrics are poetic and starkly beautiful in their simplicity. Much of it, covers the feelings of how the common people may have felt about life, love, hope. There are references to the king, youth, hopes, dreams, and even how human life resembles that of monkeys ... These highly talented musicians express themselves in poetic artistic terms. They expand their musical horizons back to the past with ease and produce astonishing results. Any person of Hungarian ancestry will be captivated by the music. It is even more impressive if one understands the Hungarian lyrics. The themes within the songs and the sound of the traditional musical instruments leave a powerful impact on the listener ...
Track #1: I get the feeling that the ordinary people, the peasants are paying homage to their king, when in their hearts, they just want to live and be free. There is a veiled reference to the king not caring for his dogs, who are bone-bare and have blood-shot eyes. The youth are shouting near the castle, which is left unprotected, without a moat. Essentially, the king is left "naked", he is being threatened, which I interpret as he could be deposed, if living conditions do not improve. The king declares war oblivious to the effect it has on the people. Another evocative song starts out with a chant as if one were hearing a Catholic mass, it sets the feeling and tone for the rest of the piece, which is soul searching and original. One of the most impressive tracks is
#4 "Koldusok" ("Beggars") in which an elderly man, possibly the father, is admonishing his son to not steal, there is a dialogue between the young man and his father that is touching, and heart-wrenching. It reveals the dire circumstances of the beggars who want to live like others, have children, but worry about where their next meal is coming from, in fact the father tells the son, don't spend money on masses for my soul, after I die, buy food, buy sausages instead. The father asks the youth does he not fear he will go to hell. The youth replies, I just want to live ...
Other tracks have strong Balkan rhythms and melodies, possibly with a Turkish influence, played on Hungarian instruments. This whole CD is amazing -- the musicians use bagpipes, saxophone, drums, cimbalom, plus a few other traditional instruments to create moods of nostalgia that remain with the listener, long after the music has stopped playing. This CD receives my highest recommendations.
01. Királyének
02. Kötve vannak szárnyaim
03. Militaris congratulation
04. Koldusok
05. Ifjú szívekben élek
06. Tuzugrás
07. Szerelmes dal
08. Majomország
09. Pozsonyi blues
10. Új esztendõ
Andor Buják - viola, flutes, clarinet, saxophone, bass, voice
Krisztián Buják - bagpipe, clarinet, flute, voice
Gyula Szarka -voice, bass, guitar
Tamás Szarka -voice, violin, guitar, drum, koboz
Guests:
László Hobó Földes - voice
László Béhr - cimbalom, voice
Péter Farnbauer - keyboards
Bernadett Kiss - voice
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
