Polkas for a Gloomy World

Amazon.com
Polka for a Gloomy World begins with "Hosa Dyna," an old European polka taken at a breakneck tempo. Near the end of the song, accordionist Carl Finch, the Brave Combo major-domo, shouts out, "Rock it, boys!" And the rest of the band does just that, proving once again that the ancient 2/4 Bohemian dance doesn't have to be a sleepy shuffle reserved for elderly aunts at wedding receptions. This album proves the polka can be every bit as invigorating as a Cajun two-step, another dance music rescued from wedding-reception hell. Because Brave Combo is based in Texas--the nexus where German and Czech immigrants passed the polka and its favorite weapons, the squeezebox and the saxophone, to the local Mexican immigrants--the band draws on both the Old World and New World versions of the music, both Eddie Blazonczyk's "Polka Chips Polka" and Los Cuatros Tejanos de Monterey's "Eloina's Marbles." In addition to the half dozen traditional European polkas, Finch has written "Flying Saucer," an oompah tribute to UFOs, and has added new words to the well-worn polka standard, "In Heaven, There Is No Beer." Over Barnes' revved-up clarinet figure, Finch bellows that not only is there no beer in heaven but there is no sex or drugs either, so we might as well enjoy ourselves here. And Brave Combo plows through the song as if there's no tomorrow. Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

Hosa Dyna
Flying Saucer
Eloina's Marbles
The Faithful Hussar
Near The Karpat Mountain
Quiero Que Sepas
Mystery Spot Polka
Potato Chips Polka
Breslau
Pije Kuba
Buscando Tu Corazon
Katiusha
Camino De Dolores
In Heaven, There Is No Beer

Amazon.com

Polka for a Gloomy World begins with "Hosa Dyna," an old European polka taken at a breakneck tempo. Near the end of the song, accordionist Carl Finch, the Brave Combo major-domo, shouts out, "Rock it, boys!" And the rest of the band does just that, proving once again that the ancient 2/4 Bohemian dance doesn't have to be a sleepy shuffle reserved for elderly aunts at wedding receptions. This album proves the polka can be every bit as invigorating as a Cajun two-step, another dance music rescued from wedding-reception hell. Because Brave Combo is based in Texas--the nexus where German and Czech immigrants passed the polka and its favorite weapons, the squeezebox and the saxophone, to the local Mexican immigrants--the band draws on both the Old World and New World versions of the music, both Eddie Blazonczyk's "Polka Chips Polka" and Los Cuatros Tejanos de Monterey's "Eloina's Marbles." In addition to the half dozen traditional European polkas, Finch has written "Flying Saucer," an oompah tribute to UFOs, and has added new words to the well-worn polka standard, "In Heaven, There Is No Beer." Over Barnes' revved-up clarinet figure, Finch bellows that not only is there no beer in heaven but there is no sex or drugs either, so we might as well enjoy ourselves here. And Brave Combo plows through the song as if there's no tomorrow. Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

You Won't be Gloomy for Long!.......2002-04-03

This is the first album I have bought by Brave Combo and it certainly did not disappoint! Coming from a more traditional Chicago and Slovenian style Polka background, I wasn't sure how well I'd like a group like Brave Combo, but that was shattered with the first few notes of Hosa Dyna. I knew I'd heard the song before, but I couldn't remember where. A few weeks later, I discovered the same song going by the title "Od Krakowa Jade" and recorded by Li'l Wally in the mid 1940's. I never thought I'd hear this song done effectively with a Rock and Roll energy, but Brave Combo pulled it off without a hitch. The incredible thing about this band is that they can introduce such a modern energy and Alternative style diversity to a musical form like the Polka. Every song on the disk is a little different, but they all quickly became my favorites. This is a disk that will grow on you the more you play it. I can't think of a single reason not to recommend it most enthusiastically.

Gloomy world? Maybe but a playful one.......2001-11-28

Since a very long time I am an admirer of folkmusic and have plenty of it on records and cd's. I am really glad that I ordered this gloomy world disc. It is fantastic, from the first till the last track it keeps my mood up. I played it over and over from the moment it came into my house.
Listen to it and love it
Jaap Cost Budde, Holland

Probably their best-realized work........2001-07-11

If you think of polka as being old, boring music commonly used in TV commercials in order to associate something with terminal unhipness, this record is a real eye [and ear] opener. Several styles are explored here, all done with Brave Combo's usual unuusal interpretation. This is probably one of my favorite albums, period, and I always reach for it to get myself out of a sour mood.

The cure for ennui.......2001-06-13

If you suffer from ennui or angst, and want to stay that way, then do not -- I repeat, do not -- listen to this or any other Brave Combo album.

These boys have big hearts, big minds, and serious musical chops. Who among us would not be moved by the wistful desire to be visited by the extraordinary/extraterrestrial expressed in "Flying Saucer"? What visitor to a vortex (a.k.a. mystery spot), where the laws of nature are suspended, would not be blissed out by the exquisitely mind-boggling "Mystery Spot Polka"? What mortal feet could resist the temptation to join in the eternal Hokey Pokey that is life all the way through this recording?

I own relatively few albums, but possess everything ever recorded by these modern-day gods from Denton, Texas. Cheaper than Prozac and infinitely more effective. The only known side effect is pure joy!

I dare you to be gloomy!`.......2000-07-31

I dare you to be gloomy after listening to this! This is upbeat, happy, exciting music that makes you bounce. Many styles of polka are represented on this disc, from Polish to Czech to Mexican, but the common thread is that BC makes them all exciting. Get it now!

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