Record Reviews

EWA DEMARCZYK ~ SPIEWA PIOSENKI ZYGMUNTA KONIECZNEGO (EXPANDED EDITION) MUZA 445 (Barcode: 5907783494451) ~ POLAND ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1967 Released: 1999 This is the most famous Polish album of all times, an extraordinary musical achievement revered all over the world in spite the fact that it is sung in Polish, which makes the lyrics accessible only to people speaking that language. The apparent power of the music crosses language barriers with its awe-inspiring intensity and expressiveness, similar to the music of Edith PiafFind albums by this artist, Jacques BrelFind albums by this artist and other famous troubadours, balladeers and chansonniers. The music, written by famous Polish composer Zygmunt KoniecznyFind albums by this artist, one of the most important composers in post WWII Poland, is absolutely marvelous, combining many different European music traditions, both of Western and Eastern European origin, providing a perfect match to the poetry, which serves as the song´s lyrics. The poetry is mostly modern, written by the country´s most talented and expressive minds, including my favorite Polish poet Julian TuwimFind albums by this artist. Outstanding Polish singer Ewa DemarczykFind albums by this artist performs these songs with such transcendent power and skill, theatrical dynamics and incredible vocal quality, that each and every one of them becomes an instant classic, all marvelous and brilliant. Combined together on one album they create a musical masterpiece rarely paralleled elsewhere, proving again that great music can be created outside of the mainstream, both musically and geographically. In the 43 years that passed since this album was recorded it lost absolutely nothing of its beauty, excellence and power and perhaps serves as yet another piece of evidence about the decadence and loss of direction we experience in music in recent times. This expanded edition of the original album includes a second CD with similar material recorded by Demarczyk four years earlier and issued as a single, which today is one of that rarest collector´s items in the Polish discography. Absolutely essential listening!

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

SCOTT WALKER ~ SCOTT: THE COLLECTION 1967-1970 MERCURY 602537288496 (Barcode: 602537288496) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1970 Released: 2013 This Box Set collects five of the six albums recorded by British (born in USA) singer / songwriter Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who earned his initial fame as the lead singer of the Walker BrothersFind albums by this artist vocal trio. These albums cover the early solo career of Walker, after the trio split, only to be reunited and active again between 1975 and 1978. The album not included in this Box Set ("Scott Walker Sings Songs From His TV SeriesFind albums with this title") was never reissues on CD due to Scott´s opposition to do so. Walker recorded four more solo albums before the Walker Brothers reunion, but those recordings are considered as significantly less valuable. All the five albums included here are absolute masterpieces, presenting an intellectual singer / songwriter who takes his music seriously and completely ignores the fads of fashion and commerciality. Deeply interested in Jazz and European Culture, which was a hive of activity at the time, Walker carefully chose a mixture of self-written material and covers, especially those of songs by Jacques BrelFind albums by this artist, whom he admired, to create a music which clearly stood apart from almost everything else created in the Pop domain at the time. Blessed with a velvet baritone and a superb artistic delivery, Walker recorded his albums supported by large orchestras, conducted by the best and often very innovative British arrangers / orchestrators active at the time. In retrospect these albums are all classics of European balladry, which remain completely untouched by time. In parallel to his solo career Walker also produced albums by other artists, including debut albums British Jazz heroes Terry SmithFind albums by this artist ("Fall OutFind albums with this title") and Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist ("First AlbumFind albums with this title"). After years of reclusion and silence Walker returned to the centre of the music scene in the 2000s with a series of revolutionary albums, which find him again at the forefront of music making. This Box Set is a treasure chest of elegance, intellectual songwriting and sensitive performances, which are timeless and deserve to be revisited or discovered by next generations of music lovers.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend