Deep Polka: Dance Music from the Midwest

Deep Polka: Dance Music from the Midwest

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Polka musicians don't take their music too seriously, so why should anyone else? Actually, given its rich lineage and loyal following, someone has to give it thoughtful consideration. After all, Wisconsin, the axis of oompah in America, still hosts a couple of dozen annual polka festivals and supports two full-time radio stations devoted to the sounds of the Norskedalen Trio, the Oulu Hotshots, and other 2/4-tempo practitioners. Seven bands, each representing different strains of Midwestern polka, are featured in this handsome package. The ensembles provide select samples of waltzes, schottisches, and polkas that draw on Northern and Eastern European influences. Astute, extensive liner notes round out the presentation. Deep Polka is an excellent collection for aficionados and newcomers alike. --Steven Stolder

Product Description
Deep Polka brings out the vitality and variety of the Polka and related European-derived dance music played by bands throughout the upper Midwest today. Although little known outside this region, these important and enduring music traditions bring thousands of people together to dance almost every weekend. Outstanding selections from recordings by seven bands, representing seven distinct regional traditions--"Dutchman," Norwegian, Polish, Tamburitza, Slovenian, Finnish, and Czech-- demonstrate the deep musical and cultural roots that are so significant to its participants. Extensive notes, song texts, translations, bibliography, discography. 62 Minutes.

Tracks:

Minnesota Polka - Karl And The Country Dutchmen
Karl's Bad Schottische - Karl And The Country Dutchmen
Fleeting Memories Waltz - Karl And The Country Dutchmen
Gary's Polka - Karl And The Country Dutchmen
Remmem Valsen - Norskedalen Trio
Fylke Dans - Norskedalen Trio
All Smiles Tonight - Norskedalen Trio
Ed Quall's Polka - Norskedalen Trio
Dorothy's Oberek - Norm Dombrowski's Happy Notes
Mountaineer Polka - Norm Dombrowski's Happy Notes
Chicago Waltz - Norm Dombrowski's Happy Notes
Happy Fellow - Norm Dombrowski's Happy Notes
Gde Su Oni Lepi Cajti? - Vatra
Bunjevacko Kolo/S One Strane Dunava - Vatra
Jeste Li Culi Judi - Vatra
Bijeli Slapovi - Vatra
Jammin' Polkas - Steve Meisner Band
Meisner Magic - Steve Meisner Band
Jump River Polka - Steve Meisner Band
Sakkijarven Polka - Oulu Hotshots
Maailman Matti - Oulu Hotshots
Orpopojan Vallssi - Oulu Hotshots
Finn Polka - Oulu Hotshots
Owl Polka - Clete Bellin Orchestra
Little Vegabond Waltz - Clete Bellin Orchestra
Around The Moon - Clete Bellin Orchestra

Amazon.com

Polka musicians don't take their music too seriously, so why should anyone else? Actually, given its rich lineage and loyal following, someone has to give it thoughtful consideration. After all, Wisconsin, the axis of oompah in America, still hosts a couple of dozen annual polka festivals and supports two full-time radio stations devoted to the sounds of the Norskedalen Trio, the Oulu Hotshots, and other 2/4-tempo practitioners. Seven bands, each representing different strains of Midwestern polka, are featured in this handsome package. The ensembles provide select samples of waltzes, schottisches, and polkas that draw on Northern and Eastern European influences. Astute, extensive liner notes round out the presentation. Deep Polka is an excellent collection for aficionados and newcomers alike. --Steven Stolder

Album Description

Deep Polka brings out the vitality and variety of the Polka and related European-derived dance music played by bands throughout the upper Midwest today. Although little known outside this region, these important and enduring music traditions bring thousands of people together to dance almost every weekend. Outstanding selections from recordings by seven bands, representing seven distinct regional traditions--"Dutchman," Norwegian, Polish, Tamburitza, Slovenian, Finnish, and Czech-- demonstrate the deep musical and cultural roots that are so significant to its participants. Extensive notes, song texts, translations, bibliography, discography. 62 Minutes.

Customer Reviews:

Lets do the Wisconsin Polka!.......2007-03-02

Having grown up in Wisconsin, and spent much of my young life in that fair land, it would have been impossible for me to avoid being exposed to Polka music growing up. Where as many others my age may turn up their nose at the form, or try to distance themselves from the supposed 'uncoolness' of the music, I've chosen to embrace it. On second thought, maybe I'm not so different after all; two of my best friends in High School played in Polka Bands, and several polkas even managed to get themselves played at my Senior prom.
I first purchased this album last year; partially out of curiousity and also have out homesickness, I had taken a job teaching in Alaska some months prior and was looking for some music to remind me of home. I opened the album with much excitement and, I must say, I was generally impressed by the music which came pouring out of my CD player.
I must agree with some of the other reviewers here; some of the bands featured on this disk are not of my liking. This, I feel, comes from the wide selection of different styles presented here; you have your typical Polish and German Polkas, but also some entries from lesser-known genres such as Finnish. That being said, this is still a great CD to get it if you wish to review a wide assortment of different styles on one disk, or if you are looking for a compilation which gives a broad overview of the different types of Polkas which are present in Wisconsin.
In closing, there are two stories related to this CD which still make me smile. First, I was shocked and overjoyed to see Norm Dombrowski listed as one of the artists on the disk; Norm has been playing for years in the area where I grew up and I've seen him perform at the Rosholt Fair as well as several other venues over the years. It was exciting to see a local artist show up on a national album such as this, even one with such a small target audiance. Secondly, my Mother bought this CD for a friend of her's in Ireland; she claimed that since her friend kept sending her Irish Trad music, that she was honor bound to introduce her to Wisconsin Trad music. Supposedly, the friend has played it quiet often and enjoys it; although I suspect that the Wolfetones and Dubliners still get more play in that house.

Dance Music From the Midwest.......2001-11-10

Having listened to some of the Selections I rated it at 4 stars primarily because of Karl. I liked the other artists but having him on the album almost always guaranteed it being bought.

Uneven.......2000-02-18

As with many "various artists" CDs, this one is a mixed bag. Seven different artists perform a total of 26 tracks. The performances by The Steve Meisner Band and by Karl and the Country Dutchmen (such as Karl's Bad Schottische -- get it?) are superb, and those by Vatra and by the Clete Bellin Orchestra are acceptable. The others either have a whiney sound or are lacking in the bass department. In the polka field, it is better to stick with single-artist CDs by the better performers. Recordings by Frankie Yankovic, Joey Miskulin, Eddie Blazonczyk, Walter Ostanek, Fred Ziwich, and Jimmy Sturr will provide a much better foundation for your polka collection than this CD.

Serious fun.......2000-01-20

Did you enjoy sweatin' to the polkas at the 1998 Smithsonian Folklife Festival? The groups on Deep Polka were there, representing different polka styles flourishing today in Wisconsin.

This is not "champagne" music! It is rollicking stuff that will kick-start a party or see you through rush hour. You will be grateful for the lyrics, provided for some of the selections, because sooner or later you will feel compelled to belt them out yourself. A great polka sampler from the Smithsonian Institution.

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