Record Reviews

EWA LIPSKA / ZBIGNIEW PREISNER ~ 2016 DOKAD? UNIVERSAL MUSIC POLSKA 602557360660 (Barcode: 602557360660) ~ POLAND ~ Sung Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a live recording of a concert, which presents a series of compositions by composer Zbigniew PreisnerFind albums by this artist with texts by poetess Ewa LipskaFind albums by this artist. The music is performed by several vocalists, including Lisa GerrardFind albums by this artist, Edyta KrzemienFind albums by this artist and others, a large mixed choir and many instrumentalists, including pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist, organist Jozef SkrzekFind albums by this artist, percussionist Slawomir BernyFind albums by this artist and others. Both Lipska and Preisner also contribute spoken / sung parts. The 2CD album presents twenty-two tracks, which are also available on the enclosed DVD. The music, which encompasses Classical, Folkloristic and Popular music elements, offers a form of a contemporary oratorio, but the subject matter is completely secular, and touches on deeply philosophical / political / social matters, which trouble the Polish society, as much today as it did through the ages. Lipska’s tongue, sharp as a razor, is completely ruthless and slaughters holly cows by the dozen, often shockingly “in the face”, which often is the only way to jiggle people out of their lethargy. Preisner’s music fits the “wild” and provocative lyrics perfectly, creating an amalgam of somber, deadly serious atmosphere with seemingly lighter interludes of cabaret-like textures. Of course one can always ponder on the effectiveness of “protesting” in Art, and the realization that even the most talented human beings, like Allen GinsbergFind albums by this artist and the entire Beat Generation, or Bob DylanFind albums by this artist and the entire Protest Generation, or Marek GrechutaFind albums by this artist, or Julian TuwimFind albums by this artist managed to change anything in the long run, prevent wars, social injustice or human stupidity. And yet, the Artists simply must do, what they do, since they just wouldn’t be Artists if they wouldn’t do what they do, hoping that someone will hear what they mean. Overall, this is a monumental stage enterprise, which forces the listener to face a mirror, and which uses an entire arsenal of Cultural armament: music, poetry, spoken word, etc. to make one simple, but powerful statement: “wake up! I consider myself extremely happy to be able to count several of the protagonist of this ambitious masterpiece as my friends. Thank you for the words and the sounds!

Updated: 24/05/2024Posted: 24/05/2024

2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DOROTA MISKIEWICZ / HENRYK MISKIEWICZ ~ NASZA MILOSC AGORA 5903111495572 (Barcode: 5903111495572) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is an album by Polish Jazz vocalist (and violinist) Dorota MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and her Father, saxophonist / composer Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, recorded with an excellent team which includes pianist Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PianohooliganFind albums by this artist), bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and another member of the Miskiewicz clan (often fondly referred to as the “Polish Jazz Royal Family”), Dorota’s brother Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist. Kurkiewicz and Miskiewicz are the rhythm section of the Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist Trio (previously Simple Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist). The album presents eight original compositions, all composed by Henryk Miskiewicz or co-composed with his two offspring. Seven of the compositions feature lyrics by Polish Poets and one features Dorota singing wordless vocalese. The music is absolutely beautiful, kept well within the Classic Jazz convention and presenting superb melodies and spotless aesthetics, as well as perfect and truly virtuosic performances. All the five musicians, each in his own specific field, contributes to the final result, which emerges as more than just a sum of its parts. Dorota masterfully utilizes her velvety voice and her sensitivity to the lyrics, which she interprets splendidly. Henryk ideally emphasizes the romantic atmosphere and proves to be both a great accompanist and a soloist. Piotr adds the spark and fantasy, with his virtuosic piano parts, proving that he can be as imaginative and inventive in mainstream Jazz as he is in more complex Jazz idioms. And the rhythm section is a dream come true, supporting the music firmly and elegantly. Overall this is a superb vocal Jazz experience, which combines lofty compositions, intelligent and elegant lyrics and classy Jazz, that is an absolute marvel from start to finish. Although perhaps not a classic Jazz & Poetry project per se, it has many common characteristics with my beloved High Art idiom, shedding some light on the romantic side of the poetry of Ewa LipskaFind albums by this artist, and returns to the splendid work of Bogdan LoeblFind albums by this artist, Wojciech MlynarskiFind albums by this artist, Grzegorz TurnauFind albums by this artist and Andrzej PoniedzielskiFind albums by this artist, all being true wizards of words. Absolutely delightful!

Updated: 20/10/2021Posted: 20/10/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LESZEK HEFI WISNIOWSKI / EWA LIPSKA ~ AWARIA SWIATA REQUIEM / LYDIAN 2021/23 (Barcode: 198002738196) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is an album by the Polish Jazz flautist / saxophonist / composer Leszek HeFi WisniowskiFind albums by this artist, who plays on a plethora of flutes, saxophones and other “virtual” instruments, and Polish poetess Ewa LipskaFind albums by this artist, who recites her poems originating from two collections of her works. The album presents nineteen short tracks, four of which are instrumental intros and the rest include recitations of the poems accompanied by Wisniowski’s improvisations. The album is an obvious Jazz & Poetry project, but it’s minimalism and the fact that the poetry is recited rather than sung, makes it a completely unique and deeply moving piece of aesthetic wonder. This album makes me extremely happy not only because Lipska’s poetry is one of my favorite contemporary manifestation of Polish Poetry, but even more so because she remains relatively little known in her own country, despite the fact that her poetry has been translated into many languages and published outside of Poland. Sadly, this kind of “Cultural anomaly” repeats itself way to often in Poland. As if this was not enough, Wisniewski is also highly underappreciated on the Polish Jazz scene, so this album is a double vindication of sorts. Wisniowski’s improvisations fit the poetry like a glove, subdued and lethargic they emphasize the “dark” nature of the poetry, often bordering on tragic or even macabre, with the music and words intertwined with each other in a perfect way, which is truly magical. I am full of admiration for Wisniowski and Lipska for their courage and vision to instigate this project and execute it with such deep devotion and artistry. Obviously poetry and music are some of the most directly stimulating phenomena and while combined, their power of expression becomes an emotional tsunami. Overall, this is a stunning piece of Art, a Cultural capsule, which should inspire deep emotions and reflections in those, who are still open to such input. I hope this album gets the exposure it deserves, but lately life makes us all even more pessimistic than our age requires, so the outcome is as fragile as our lives. Nevertheless, I remain deeply grateful to the creators of this treasure, raising my virtual hat in a gesture of gratitude…

Updated: 03/03/2022Posted: 03/03/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LESZEK HEFI WISNIOWSKI / EWA LIPSKA / GERARD KILROY ~ WORLD FAILURE REQUIEM / LYDIAN 2023/23 (Barcode: 3265584557891) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 The concept of cross-pollination between various disciplines of Art is as ancient and Culture itself, but its potency is never exhausted. Being a lover of Jazz music and Poetry, the combination of the two fascinated me since my adolescence, when I was exposed to some of its early appearances, both in Poland in the 1960s, and later in different counties around the World. There seems to me a mighty affinity between Poets and Jazz musicians, which of course is not really that surprising, since improvising with notes or words is not all that different after all. Sadly, poetry, as opposed to music, has one limitation, of which music is free, i.e. the language barrier. As a result, often upon hearing a sublime Jazz & Poetry album, I immediately ponder on the fact that people, who do not understand a specific language, like Polish for example, are deprived of the ecstatic pleasure associated with the interplay between words and notes. Therefore, it brings me a great pleasure to see this excellent Jazz & Poetry album, which combines the exquisite poetry of Ewa LipskaFind albums by this artist with the sublime improvisations by Leszek HeFi WisniowskiFind albums by this artist, to be now available with the English translations of the poems, opening the possibility to enjoy this union of words and notes to a much wider audience. The poetry is recited by Gerard KilroyFind albums by this artist. The album is an obvious Jazz & Poetry project, but it’s minimalism and the fact that the poetry is recited rather than sung, makes it a completely unique and deeply moving piece of aesthetic wonder. This album makes me extremely happy not only because Lipska’s poetry is one of my favorite contemporary manifestation of Polish Poetry, but even more so because she remains relatively little known in her own country, despite the fact that her poetry has been translated into many languages and published outside of Poland. Sadly, this kind of “Cultural anomaly” repeats itself way to often in Poland. As if this was not enough, Wisniowski is also highly underappreciated on the Polish Jazz scene, so this album is a double vindication of sorts. Wisniowski’s improvisations fit the poetry like a glove, subdued and lethargic they emphasize the “dark” nature of the poetry, often bordering on tragic or even macabre, with the music and words intertwined with each other in a perfect way, which is truly magical. I am full of admiration for Wisniowski and Lipska for their courage and vision to instigate this project and execute it with such deep devotion and artistry. Obviously poetry and music are some of the most directly stimulating phenomena and while combined, their power of expression becomes an emotional tsunami. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 25/02/2024Posted: 25/02/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend