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

NOT NECESSARY BAND ~ NIEKONIECZNIE KONIECZNY NOT ON LABEL 01 (Barcode: 606707129411) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by the Not Necessary BandFind albums by this artist led by veteran organist / composer / arranger Pawel SerafinskiFind albums by this artist, one of the unsung heroes of the Polish Jazz scene active since the 1970s. The quartet also includes saxophonists Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist (another Polish Jazz veteran) and Kuba RaczynskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Radek BolewskiFind albums by this artist, the last two are representatives of the new generation of the local scene. Members of the hip-hop group ThinkadelicFind albums by this artist guest briefly on one track. The album presents six tracks, three of which are original compositions by Serafinski, one is co-composed by the quartet members and two are composed by the legendary Polish composer Zygmunt KoniecznyFind albums by this artist. The music is all mainstream oriented Jazz, with touches of Blues and Soul, very relaxed and lyrical. Serafinski composed some elegant tunes, which offer great melody lines and are superb platforms for improvisation. Konieczny is of course a Master songweaver, and his two compositions are classics. As a sucker for the Hammond organ I simply cannot help the nostalgia / sentiment to overflow any rational approach and like the music, even if only for the great fun it brings to the listener. It does sound rather retro, but that was probably intentional, and the album has a distinct 1970s attitude, which in today’s music is a blessed whip of fresh air, rather than a sign of being old-fashioned. The quartet offers a very unusual sound ambience, with just the organ up front, supported by the sax players, no bass (which is compensated by organ pedals) and the drums keeping the time vigorously and tastefully. Funs of Brian AugerFind albums by this artist and Graham BondFind albums by this artist will obviously find this quite familiar stylistically. Overall, this is a very well put together album, which offers great music and excellent performances, with a focus on the Hammond organ sound, which of course makes it a must for the many lovers of this legendary keyboard. The minimalist, subdued atmosphere of this music is a welcome contrast to the terrible noise that surrounds us today most of the time.

Updated: 15/12/2021Posted: 15/12/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LORA SZAFRAN ~ EWA DEMARCZYK: INSPIRACJE POLSKIE RADIO 2444 (Barcode: 5905610871109) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz vocalist Lora SzafranFind albums by this artist, supported by a formidable team of instrumentalists, fronted by pianist / arranger Milosz WoskoFind albums by this artist, drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Adam KowalewskiFind albums by this artist and others. She also invited three guest: vocalist Aga ZaryanFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and accordionist Jaroslaw BesterFind albums by this artist, who appear on selected tracks. The album presents ten tracks, all being songs associated with the repertoire of the Polish Diva Ewa DemarczykFind albums by this artist, six of which were composed by the legendary Zygmunt KoniecznyFind albums by this artist, two by Andrzej ZaryckiFind albums by this artist and the remaining two by others. The lyrics are mostly by renown Polish Poets, like Julian TuwimFind albums by this artist and others. Any attempt to touch an icon / legend / idol of the class of Demarczyk is a highly risky and virtually impossible task. Although the new arrangements of these songs, which are taken more into the Jazz environment, rather than the original chanson / theatrical idiom created matchlessly by Demarczyk, the comparisons are inevitable, and sadly come out rather oddly in the ears of anybody familiar with the original. Of course one has to give credit to the new arrangements and the excellent work by the instrumentalists involved, as well as Szafran’s vocal abilities and the throaty coloring of her voice, all of which are truly admirable. Still, the mind does not allow to separate oneself from the deeply seeded impressions and memories of the original. Some things are obviously better left alone… Overall, this is an impressive production / arrangement / execution in every respect, but I am simply too old to let my personal memories be forgotten, which is apparently needed in order to enjoy this album, beyond appreciating the effort. Of course these songs are still absolute treasures of Polish Culture.

Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 29/12/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend