Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe

Track Listings

1. Devoiko Mome - Márta Sebestyén

2. Spune, Spune, Mos Batrîn... - Taraf de Haïdouks

3. Kürbis - Apparatschik

4. Orient Est Rouge - Kocani Orkestar, Naat Veliov

5. Zaplakala E Gorata - Trio Bulgarka

6. Staro Cunovo Oro/Valesko Oro - King Ferus Mustafov

7. Calusul - Kálmán Balogh

8. 2 Wierchowe, Ozwodna, 2 Krzesane, 2 Drobne - The Trebunia Family Band

9. Ezüstmuzsika - Vízönt´ó

10. Beautiful Milka - Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Choir

11. Danubian Daichovo Horo - Horo Orchestra

12. Mamo Marie Mamo - Ivo Papasov & His Bulgarian Voices Choir

13. Mountain Pacular - Zsarátnok

14. Valle E Lezhës - Mark Pashku

15. Anonym - Nicola Parov

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As with most of the Rough Guide music releases, this one casts a wide net, hauling in innovative folk groups like Musikas and Taraf de Haiduks, edgier jazz from Ferus Mustafov and Ivo Papasov, and new musical excursions by bands like Zsarotnok. The set also includes well-known vocal groups like the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices ensemble and Trio Bulgarka. There are some surprises, too. Apparatschik offers a folk-punk sound somewhere between the Pogues and Spike Jones. The "Oriental" brass band Kocani plays Macedonian Rom music with verve. Poland's incredible fiddle orchestra, the Trebunia Family, will be a new surprise to almost any North American listener with its raw power, and Albanian lute player Mark Pashku's 1965 solo recording is superb. Brief but descriptive liner notes tell you what you need to know and no more, but the Rough Guides are meant to help you explore, and they give you the source material to begin your journey. --Louis Gibson

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe,Various Artists,World Music Network,Bulgaria,Bulgarian Folk,Eastern Europe,Europe,Gypsy,Hungarian Folk,Hungary,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Romania,World Fusion,World Music,Worldbeat

The Rough Guide to Klezmer
Average customer rating:

Liked it

a one-eyed view of the wide world of klezmer

for Naftule Brandwein alone...

Here's Chutzpah for you!

Oy! Magnificent!

The Rough Guide to Klezmer
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Jewish & Yiddish Music | Folk | Styles | Music
Klezmer | Folk | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Pop | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rough Guide: Music of the Gypsies

Rough Guide: The Music of Japan

The Rough Guide to the Music of Balkan Gypsies

The Rough Guide to Hungarian Music

The Rough Guide to the Music of the Balkans

ASIN: B00004U1GM
Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

Fun Tashlikh - The Klezmatics
Fun TashlaCh - Naftule Brandwein
Horowitz's Zogekhts - Budowitz
Shapiros Korohod - Budowitz
Meron Nign (Tune From Meron) - THE KLEZMER CONSERVATORY BAND
The Secrets Of The LIfeTree - Kroke
Wailing World - Brave Old World
Der Gassen Nigen - Harry Kandel's Orchestra
Der Gasn Nigun - Klezmokum
Bogota Bulgar - David Krakauer Trio
Romanian Fantasy No.1 - Alicia Svigals
Tsu Der Kretshme - Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars
Der Heisser (Tartar Tanz) - Naftule Brandwein
Sumkinda Hora - The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band
Hangu And Freylachs From Podoly - Di Naya Kapelye
Makonovetski's Gas Nign - Joel Rubin Jewish Music Ensemble
Oy Tate S'iz Gut - Margot Leverett
Oy Tate - Naftule's Dream

Amazon.com

The Rough Guide couldn't have gotten this klezmer anthology off to a better start if it offered free clarinet lessons with every disc. Spanning seven decades of Yiddish music, the first two cuts juxtapose the Klezmatics' raucous reading of "Fun Tashlikh" with the trailblazing original by Naftule Brandwein, whose charisma and raw talent set an impossibly high benchmark for the genre. The old versus new approach takes a twist with side-by-side modernistic and traditional versions of the Yiddish standard "Der Gassen Nigun." But here Harry Kandel's Orchestra strikes a blow for innovation back in 1923, while Klezmokum flaunts its chops with a delightful 1992 arrangement that tempers jazz borrowings with anachronistic rumblings. Thanks to 19th-century roots in the widely traveled Gypsy music of the Black Sea region, klezmer has enough elasticity to absorb a range of styles and influences without compromising its identity. The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band exercises hipster cool in its rekindling of a Brandwein classic, while the Klezmer Conservatory Band keeps tradition in its vest pocket on "Meron Nigh." Kroke's chamber-music meditation lends "The Secrets of the Life Tree" an esoteric edge worthy of the Kabbalah. For sheer energy, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars prove that the real heavy metal issues from a horn ensemble. Whatever the permutation, klezmer emerges unscathed, fresh, and instantly recognizable. --Bob Tarte

Album Description

Klezmer, the exuberant Jewish music traditionally played at weddings and other celebrations, is charted on this Rough Guide from its eastern European roots to its North American resurgence. At times soulful, at times frenetic, this selection conveys the dignity and beauty of klezmer music, and combines for the first time archival tracks alongside contemporary versions of the same tunes.

Artists include: The Klezmatics, Klez Conservatory Band, Naftule Brandwein, Budowitz, Kroke, Brave Old World, Harry Kandel's Orchestra and Alicia Svigals

Customer Reviews:

Liked it.......2007-05-13

I really liked the music and the different types of Klezmer music on this CD is fun and up beat. It is good to listen to as you are getting ready for work.

a one-eyed view of the wide world of klezmer.......2003-10-16

The vibrant world of klezmer music is a joyous, inventive form of musical expression that has its roots in Eastern Europe, and in the last three decades has had a vigorous rebirth with many brilliant musicians bringing their creativity to revitalize it.
A few of the artists on this compilation could be heard in the marvelous "In the Fiddler's House" documentary with Itzhak Perlman shown on PBS.

The Klezmatics: From New York's East Village come one of the most renown of klezmer bands, and many of the musicians on this CD are either presently in, or have at some time in the past been in this terrific group.
Naftule Brandwein's recording career was between 1922 and 1941; he was known as the "King of the Klezmer Clarinet", and it is fitting that he should have 2 tracks in this collection.
Budowitz also has 2 tracks, and they use 19th century instruments, re-creating as much as possible the sound of those old world weddings. The founder of the group, Joshua Horowitz, plays a Budowitz accordion, and to quote from the excellent booklet insert, it has a "dark, woody sound".

The Klezmer Conservatory Band, which hails from Boston, has been going strong since the early '80s, and they are jazzy, theatrical, and wonderful.
Kroke, which is a translation of Cracow, where these three men were born, perform the soulful, lyrical "The Secrets of the Life Tree", one of the best tracks on this compilation.
Brave New World is an international group based in New York, where one can hear modern classical threads woven through the Yiddish cloth of their music.
Harry Kandel's Orchestra is from the 1920s, and do the same tune "Der Gassen Nigen" as the track that follows them, by Klezmokum, a US/Dutch group who have an interesting, contemporary take on the song.

The David Krakauer Trio boasts the clarinet virtuosity of David, who was a former member of the Klezmatics.
Alicia Svigals, who is a member of the Klezmatics, shines playing an excerpt from her solo album "Fidl: Klezmer Violin".
Trumpeter Frank London (who leads the Klezmatics) here performs a marvelous up-tempo piece with a number of top musicians in the klezmer field.
Canada's Flying Bulgur Klezmer Band re-interpret Branwein's "Der Heisser" with their "Sumkinda Hora".

Di Naye Kapelye, a Hungarian-based group led by American Bob Cohen give us my favorite track on the CD, a spirited and spunky piece, and the only track on this compilation that has vocals.

American Joel Rubin, once a member of Brave Old World, and now Berlin-based, gives us a sweet and melodic song with his ensemble.
Margot Leverett, once with the Klezmatics, is a wizard with the clarinet, with a very smooth, fluid sound, here with her take on Brandwein's "Oy Tate", and is followed by the same song interpreted by Naftule's Dream, an avant-garde group from Boston, which is my least liked track on this CD, as I tend to be a traditionalist when it comes to klezmer.

Though I thoroughly enjoy this album, I do not consider it an overview of klezmer music, as it is somewhat one-sided. The absence of vocals except for track # 15 (not counting the "ahs" on track # 1) alone is limiting; nevertheless, it has much to offer, and is an excellent addition to a klezmer collection, but should not necessarily be the start of one.
overall sound is good, and total time is 71'21. Page 11 of the booklet insert explains how to use the enhanced feature of this CD which contains more information on klezmer music.

for Naftule Brandwein alone..........2003-06-19

The rough guides are wonderful introductory albums to any kind of music. This is an excellent one. I discovered after one hearing that one of the older artists is my favorite. Naftule Brandwein is the epitome of klezmer to my ear! His renditions are extraordinary. For his two tracks alone I would have boughten this CD. Fortunately there are a number of other artists I will seek albums out for too.

Here's Chutzpah for you!.......2003-04-03

No question, this is one of the most exhilarating Rough Guides in the collection!

While Klezmer compilations can be hit and miss, this one treats you with nothing but sheer musical excellence and chutzpah by the shovelful. Using the interesting technique of juxtaposing original and modern versions of Klezmer classics, we get a great insight into the evolution of Klezmer from its shtetl and later New World origins to its many incarnations today, including Klezmer/jazz fusion and New Age Klezmer.

The original greats Naftule Brandwein and Harry Kandel are here, along with some of Klezmer's greatest contemporary exponents such as the Klezmatics, the Klezmer Conservatory Band and Budowitz. There are also many superb ensembles which may be unfamiliar to listeners, such as Kroke from Poland, and Di Naye Kapelye from Hungary.

Especially appealing about this collection is its treatment of the varied forms of Klezmer, focusing not only on the American style, but also incorporating Hungarian and Romanian musical interpretations and Ottoman influences, as shown by the brass band element. The exquisite clarinet work of Margot Leverett, David Krakauer and of course Brandwein himself adds great colour and vitality to the music, while the evocative soulful side of Klezmer is drawn out superbly by Alicia Svigals and jazz elements are seamlessly incorporated into traditional melodies by Klezmokum and Naftule's Dream.

All in all, an essential album for the Klezmer neophyte and seasoned connoisseur alike. Kick back with some blintzes and find your inner Yidl on this CD. Mazel Tov!

Oy! Magnificent!.......2000-07-30

Look: I relish Martin Buber; Walter Kaufmann is one of my heroes; and I regularly quote the book of Ecclesiastes. But I'm not Jewish. Nevertheless, I was a big fan of the Klezmer Conservatory Band about ten years ago. But then I lost track and got caught up in other pursuits.

This Rough Guide CD brought me back to the magic and magnificence of Klezmer music. It's not just old 78 clarinet licks. These tracks swing! We've got a fusion of blues, jazz, East European hassidim, and whatever else crossed the minds of the musicians as they enjoyed laying down these grooves. It's heart-pounding, joyous, vibrant, cerebral, earthy, intense, epithalamionic, and celebratory. One of the superb features is that four tunes are juxtaposed by earlier and later versions so the listener can explore the evolution of Klezmer from the '20's to the present.

If you're depressed, crank this CD. You'll dance, you'll hollar; maybe you'll even convert! If Moses had had this CD, the commandments might have been limited to, "Dance!"

The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia
Average customer rating:

pot stalom uvidemsja!

More than a Balalaika Bash

music that warms up your soul

music that warms up your soul

A great collection of essential Russian folk &popular music

The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Russia | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rough Guide to Music of Greece

Rough Guide: The Music of Japan

Rough Guide to the Music of China

Rough Guide to the Music of Spain

The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia

ASIN: B00006L3MU
Release Date: 2002-12-02

Tracks:

Dialog y Televisora - Vladimir Vysotsky
Chelovek I Koshka
Dikoye Pole
Djelem - Loyko
Arlekino - Alla Pugacheva
Brich Mulla
Sentyabr Dozhdi
Doktor Olya
Proschanie S Parizhem
Lyubo, Brattzy, Lyubo
Muzykant - Alla Pugacheva
Brigantina
Temnaya Noch
Starinny Vals
Britchka
Zemlyanka (Dugout) - Michael Alpert
Povorot
Beyond the Rocky Mountain (Za Skaloyu) - Kukuruza
Diplomat Waltz (Diplomatichesky Vals) - Terem Quartet

Customer Reviews:

pot stalom uvidemsja!.......2003-09-30

An absolutely marvellous compilation of Russian music. Vysotsky is in a league of his own - the greatest singer-songwriter, poet of the last century. Finns are familiar with the voice of Alla Pugachova, Russia's equivalent to Petula Clark; this CD has one of her most popular songs: "Arlekino". Another singer beloved by Finns is Janna Bichevskaja, with her sad songs of loss. For some strange reason there is not one song by Russia's biggest star of the 90's, Alexander Malinin. If you like this CD, check him out,he's well worth it.

More than a Balalaika Bash.......2003-08-02

The mention of Russian music always seems to conjure up cheese-ified gypsy versios of Dark Eyes or Kalinka, interminable balalaika trilling or deep-throated fur-coated renditions of the Volga Boatmen. That's probably why I've never taken an interest in this music before, but I decided to check this CD out and was in for a pleasant surprise. There is nothing Red Army or "state ensemblesque" about these selections (the Red Army stuff isn't bad, of course, just something that never appealed to me), instead we are presented with a tasty smorgasbord of Russian "bard-style" songs, both classic and contemporary, popular music hits, grass-roots Cossack folk, and a lovely airy "lite version" of the traditional balalaika ensemble. Just a note: for those looking for Russian roots or folk, this is not the CD you need. All but two or three of these tracks are either pop/rock hits (old and new) and Russian "bard" songs, whose closest North American equivalent would be something like acoustic social-commentary folkies such as Bob Dylan. In fact, the opening track artist,Vladimir Vysotsky, is considered the Russian Bob Dylan. The other bard songs are beautifully melodic and delicately sung, I really fell in love with this genre that was hitherto unknown to me.
Before you run screaming from the building at the mention of Russian pop, hang on. It's actually very good! Much more than inane carbon copies of Western bands (this is not the Soviet N'Sync or anything like that!) the bands have their own stylistic twists making for pleasurable listening that's a bit out of the mainstream. Alla Pugacheva (a Russian diva in the manner of Streisand, with a much better voice) provides a hilarious fun kitschfest with "Arlekino" (Harlequin), while moving vocals from Mark Bernes recall the horrors of WWII in "Temnaya Noch" (Quiet Night). There's even great twangy sounding country track, but with an strong Russian flavor. To wrap everything up, we're treated to the lilting antics of the Terem Balalaika Quartet in a beautifully arranged version of the Diplomat Waltz.
I know all this sounds a bit weird and disparate, but together it makes a seamless, satisfying whole. It certainly went far beyond my expectations, and will probably go beyond yours too. Highly recommended!

music that warms up your soul.......2002-12-20

This is the best collection of Russian music ever. The music is selected carefully, and lovingly. You can find all the old-time favourites here - Vysotsky, Pugacheva, Nikitiny, Shulzhenko, Bernes, and Makarevich.

Listening to this CD is like visiting the music scene of Russia from the comfort of your home. The melodies are pretty, the words are heartwarming, and the overall impression is just great. I highly recommend this CD to everyone who wants to listen to great music.

I decided to list the tracks of the CD so the reader appreciates its richness.

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF RUSSIA

1. VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY: Dialog U Televisora
2. NOL': Chelovek I Koshka
3. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Dikoye Pole
4. LOYKO: Djelem
5. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Arlekino
6. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Brich Mulla
7. ALEXANDR DOLSKY: Sentyabr, Dozhdi
8. NATALIA DUDKINA: Doktor Olya
9. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Proschanie S Parizhem
10. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Lyubo, Brattzy, Lyubo
11. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Muzykant
12. PESNI NASHEGO VEKA (with VIKTOR BERKOVSKY): Brigantina
13. MARK BERNES: Temnaya Noch
14. CLAVDIYA SHULZHENKO: Starinny Vals
15. GIPSY TALISMAN: Britchka
16. MICHAEL ALPERT: Zemlyanka (Dugout)
17. MASHINA VEREMENI: Povorot
18. KUKURUZA: Beyond The Rocky Mountain (Za Skaloyu)
19. TEREM QUARTET: Diplomat Waltz (Diplomatichesky Vals)

music that warms up your soul.......2002-12-20

I decided to list the tracks of the CD so the reader appreciates its richness.

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF RUSSIA

A great collection of essential Russian folk &popular music.......2002-12-02

It has been more than a decade since the dramatic collapse of the Soviet Union. During this period, Western culture has swept through Russia, as places like Moscow's famous Arbat Street are now lined with McDonalds restaurants and record shops selling the latest Madonna, Eminem, and Backstreet Boys recordings. While Russia has always been known internationally as one of the leading cultural centers for opera, ballet, and classical music, most of the world has essentially ignored its folk and popular music. This compilation tries to remedy some of that.

Picking 20 songs or so to represent a country the size of Russia is a daunting task. This CD presents some of the most important figures in Russian folk and popular music. Among the standout tracks is "Dialog Y Televisora" by VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY. He is widely considered the greatest of the bard singers (Russian poet-vocalists). He began his career both on stage and as a singer/composer in 1960 after he received his degree in drama. With a deep gruff voice and a unique talent that could touch the Russian heart, Vysotsky became one of the nation's most beloved singers, despite harsh government opposition. Most of his compositions were suppressed after being considered 'anti-Soviet' and 'subversive' by the Brezhnev regime.

This CD also introduces the music of ALLA PUGACHEVA to the west for the first time. For her Russian audience, she is as beloved as the Beatles, yet as controversial as Madonna. This collection includes her biggest hit, ARLEKINO. When Pugacheva began performing the song, she did not just sing the song on stage, but as would become her trademark, she embodied a dramatic image of the topic of her song, in this case, a harlequin. Since then, she has always been at the center of the public spotlight, making news as often for her wild hair styles and unusual outfits as her breathtaking voice.

This album also includes music from other Russian giants such as MARK BERNES, CLAVDIA SHULZHENKO, and MASHINA VREMENI. People who saw the Academy Award winning film "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" will recognize the touching ballads from SERGEI NIKITIN & TATIANA NIKITINA. Among the standout folk tracks are traditional Cossack melodies by ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA as well as the Gypsy folk songs of LOYKO and GIPSY TALISMAN.

Tracks:

Yo Me Quedo En Sevilla - Pata Negra
Ussa Sa - Acquaragia Drom
Doina Si Balaseanca - Fanfare Ciocarlia
The Song Of The Gypsies - Eleni Vitali
Anghuti - Musafir
Rast Tsiftetelli - Gyspy Music Of Constantinople
Love Birds - Kurbeti
Cind Eram La '48 - Taraf De Haidouks
Jastar Amenge Dur - Kostas Pavlidis
Mundi - Tomatito
El Sereno De Mi Calle - El Indio Gitano/Gerardo Nunez
Olen Lapsi Mina Syksyjen Illan - Paivi Arling
Cock O' The North/Garryowen/Flowers Of Edinburgh/Step It Away/The Girl I Left Behind/Step It Away - Jasper/Levi Smith
Fast Csardas - The Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra Of Jozsef Lacatos
Kalandxoj - Krusha Madhe
Cigany Szinek - Kalman Balogh

Amazon.com

You're probably familiar with the flamenco fireworks of Spain's bestselling Gipsy Kings. But there are nearly as many types of Gypsy music as there are countries in which the Gypsies--or Roma--have settled since dispersing from Rajasthan, India, more than a thousand years ago. The highlights of this nicely documented compilation include Romania's Fanfare Ciocarlia, a brass band that plays a sort of speed klezmer at dizzying tempos; the Rajasthan ensemble Musafir, who weave serpentine melodies on the dumbek drum and flute; the warm clarinet and accordions of Italy's Acquaragia Drom; and the richly arranged 12-piece Taraf de Haidouks, also from Romania. What else? Sad, folk-singing British Gypsies (Jasper and Levi Smith), elegant and haunting Greek Gypsies (Eleni Vitali, Kostas Pavlidis), and Hungary's raucous and jazzy Kalman Balogh. And the diversity of the flamenco Gypsies is of course amply demonstrated by Pata Negra, Tomatito, and the duo of El Indio Gitano and Gerardo Nunez. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews:

Good, but there are better.......2002-07-07

This CD is a good collection of genuine gypsy music, but I have heard better. Gypsy Caravan by Putumayo is more accessible for the general public in my opinion. Another absolutely fantastic collection of Gypsy music can be found in the CD Latcho Drom. This CD is actually a soundtrack to a brilliant and beautiful documentary of that same name, and I would recommend anyone who is even remotely interested in gypsy music to see it. It is absolutely stunning!!

Incredible! Impressive! Irresistable!.......2002-05-10

This tapestry of *irresistible* gypsy music from Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Balkans (Kosovo, Macedonia), Rajasthan (India), Hungary, Romania, England and as far north as Finland, is woven into a timeless, seamless whole! Most *impressive* is the root sound that essentially remains unaltered no matter from which country the music arises. The improvisations and embellishments are indefinable and original spanning many centuries and musical styles. However, it is interesing to see that Finnish gypsy rhythm & melody is similar to that of Italy, Hungary, and Romania. Also, Balkan gypsy music by Madhe Krushe has strong influences of the traditional instruments played in Bulgaria, Macedonia, & Kosovo. The raw firey vocals of the Spanish gypsies unearth a vitality and dynamism no other singers emulate. The Greek gypsies express deep haunting passion and emotions, as only those of Meditarranean extraction can do ... Taraf de Haidouks & Kalman Balogh are world reknown Central European musicians, their music is synonomous with the culture and traditions of Romania and Hungary respectively. Rough Guide provides the greatest diversity of gypsy music I have yet enountered in any one CD! They cover Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans, a bit of Asia, & most surprisingly Finland, too! This is an *incredible* *not* *to* *be* *missed* CD!!! BUY IT!!!
Erika Borsos (erikab93)

correction.......2002-04-10

I would like to offer a correction to the first editorial review given for this album. The Gypsy Kings are not from Spain, they are from Southern France.

Entrancing and pure.......1999-11-06

An excellent musical montage from around the world, this album is both a contemporary look into the passion of the Gypsy soul and an historical view of the traditions of these nomadic, intense and complex people. If you are interested in taking your emotional pulse, this CD is just what the doctor ordered.

Excellent.......1999-09-28

A superb collection of gypsy music from around the world. Having listened to it you will want to further explore this fascinating culture and its music.

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe

Average customer rating:

A musical Iron Curtain?
Exploding Balkan Extravaganza!
A soul-searching sonic journey through Eastern Europe...

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

The Rough Guide to the Music of the Indian Ocean
Rough Guide: The Music of Africa
Rough Guide to the Music of Iran
Rough Guide to the Music of China
Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar

ASIN: B00000BIBG
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Devoiko Mome - Marta Sebestyen
Spune, Spune, Mos Batrin - Taraf De Haidouks
Kurbis - Apparatschik
L'Orient Est Rouge - Kocani Orkestar
Zaplakala E Gorata - Trio Bulgarka
Staro Cunovo Oro/Velesko Oro - Ferus Mustafov
Calusul - Kalman Balogh & Gipsy Cimbalom Band
2 Wierchowe, Ozwodna, 2Krzesane, 2Drobne - Trebunia Family Band
Ezustmuzisika - Vizonto
Beautiful Milka - The Mystery OF Bulgarian Voice Choir
Danubian Daichovo Horo - 'Horo' Orch
Mamo Marie Mamo - Ivo Papasov & His Bulgarian Wedding Band
The Mountian pacular - Zsaratnok
Valle E Lezhes - Mark Pahku
Anonym - Nikola Parov

Amazon.com

As with most of the Rough Guide music releases, this one casts a wide net, hauling in innovative folk groups like Musikas and Taraf de Haiduks, edgier jazz from Ferus Mustafov and Ivo Papasov, and new musical excursions by bands like Zsarotnok. The set also includes well-known vocal groups like the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices ensemble and Trio Bulgarka. There are some surprises, too. Apparatschik offers a folk-punk sound somewhere between the Pogues and Spike Jones. The "Oriental" brass band Kocani plays Macedonian Rom music with verve. Poland's incredible fiddle orchestra, the Trebunia Family, will be a new surprise to almost any North American listener with its raw power, and Albanian lute player Mark Pashku's 1965 solo recording is superb. Brief but descriptive liner notes tell you what you need to know and no more, but the Rough Guides are meant to help you explore, and they give you the source material to begin your journey. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

A musical Iron Curtain?.......2003-04-05

This collection was one of the first Rough Guides I wasn't thoroughly impressed by, for various reasons.

Although the tracks were acceptably varied to include different musical dimensions of Eastern Europe, there was a vast amount of terrain left uncovered by this CD. The disc also suffered from a surfeit of brass bands, consequently neglecting many other styles. The problem here is not so much the compilation itself, but the sheer depth and diversity of Eastern European music, the polyglot progeny of a major cultural collision: Turkish, Semitic, Slavic and Hellenic with a dash of Asiatic Magyar thrown in for good measure.
Being of Yugoslavian origin, I am very familiar with Eastern European music and particularly that of Hungary and the Balkans, and can attest to the fact that the tracks barely offer a fleeting glimpse into the immense beauty and variety of this region's musical heritage. Notable omissions include the Hungarian folk ensemble Muzsikas, and indeed any examples of Hungarian/Transylvanian dances or csardas, along with the absence of tambura ensembles from Croatia or Vojvodina (tambura music is among the most exuberant and melodically exquisite of the region, and remains largely unknown in the West), and also the omission of polkas, of which many superb examples can be found in the Czech and Slovenian repertoire. Russian instrumental works, particularly balalaika pieces, were absent, as were the melancholic Islam-flavoured vocals of Bosnia.

The point is, if you enjoyed this CD, great, but this is barely the beginning of the Eastern musical saga, and I urge you to dig deeper and wider in order to really get a feel for the music. Discs I recommend to get you started are The Bartok Album, by Muzsikas; The Incredible Music of the Gypsies, a compilation by Manteca; and Songs and Dances from Croatia, a compilation from Dinaton.

Exploding Balkan Extravaganza!.......2002-04-08

Any CD on which Marta Sebestyen sings first shows exceptional good taste but when she sings in Bulgarian, well that is *really* extraordinairy. She sings "Devoiko Mome" like a native. This CD is jam-packed with the best music that the Balkans have to offer played by the brightest and most talented musicians and singers in the region. The diverse regional styles & variety of instruments played on this CD attests to the fact that "Rough Guide" producers know what they are doing.

This CD has everything: the brass band music of Kocani Orkestar (Macedonia), the cimbalom playing of Kalman Balogh (Hungary)(although it is a Romanian piece he is playing), the beautiful and mysterious voices of a Bulgarian Women's Choir, a Daichovo Oro played by a folk orchestra, Bulgarian wedding music by the master, Ivo Papasov, and last, but not least, my favorite, "The Mountain Pacular" played by Zsaratnok & the ever-talented Nikola Parov. The clarinet improvisations on this track are incredible. Track # 8 amazes me, because although a Polish band, the violin playing is definitely in the Hungarian style, which leads me to believe there was a lot of sharing of music across the borders. This CD is a gem beyond description - dont' pass it up! Erika Borsos (erikab93)

A soul-searching sonic journey through Eastern Europe..........2001-10-14

A few months ago I started looking for Roma (Gypsy) music. There were many different collections that I considered buying, such as "Rough Guide:Music of the Gypsies" and Putumayo's "Gypsy Caravan." However, I fell in love with this CD from listening to soundclips online.

The CD opens with the phenomenal track "Devoiko Mome" by Hungarian songstress Marta Sebestyen (the artist who performed such haunting melodies in "The English Patient"). The wooden flute is raw and soulful, the strings have a rough, mourning quality, and combined with Marta's voice this is easily the best track on the album. The rhythm is lilting and soothing even though the tone shifts between melancholy and joyous.

Also featured are the excellent Roma musicians Tarif de Haidouks, and the now-famous "Mystère des voix bulgares" with their unearthly acapella arrangements of traditional folksongs. I am not familiar with the rest of the artists although all of the songs are performed beautifully.

This is an excellent introduction to Eastern European and Roma music for a great price...cheaper than Putumayo's sampler and IMHO with better music to match.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

Baghdad Lounge: Songs for Zou Zou

Jacquet de la Guerre: Lisle de Délos; Jonas

Frederica von Stade - Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne (Songs of the Auvergne)

Music: Lord Let Me Hear from Heaven [Live]

Music music-39

Hard to Swallow [Explicit Lyrics]

Grandma's Hands

Heroes of Kingston

Fernand Gignac Et Ballroom Orchestra [Import]

link-web.net Track Listings: Aluminum Overcast

Golden Best [Import]

En Vivo Desde Dallas, Texas [Live]

Rap Music rap_music_06

Best of the Vanguard Years

Buddy's Baddest: The Best Of Buddy Guy