Customer Reviews

Balkans Without Borders

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though no samples were available to listen to on the date that I bought this CD, I still decided to buy it because I like traditional Balkan music, I saw that all the profits will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, and I happened to find the previous reviews helpful.

I really love folk music of Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, etc...

I also listen to Ivo Papasov, Yuri Yunakov, Ferus Mustafov, etc...

However, you should be aware that, even though all the songs in this CD contain balkan music elements, their styles are far from traditional Balkan styles: You will find techno, thrash, house...

If you like not only Eastern European Music but also those styles, buy the CD. But if you expect to hear more traditional music try other CDs. For example: Ciganine by Sviraj, Balkanology by Ivo Papasov, Macedonian Wedding Soul Cooking by Ferus Mustafov, etc...

(...)

Great CD. A nice mix of different music. I'm from Detroit. I once saw Immigrant Suns and Albanet play together at a benefit concert for Kosovo. Both were great, and they sound just as good on the CD. All the bands did a terrific job. The music is pumping, very energetic. Highly recommended.

I've bought 3 copies of this CD to give to friends. Itrepresents the best cross-section of today's Balkan (Eastern European)music, some of which comes from American bands such as the Klezmatics and the Zlatne Uste Brass Band from New York. Definitely recommended for any contemporary or folk collection. Sale of the CD goes to benefit Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian effort to bring medical help to war-torn parts of the world...

This is music that whirls you up and whisks you into its mad swirl, but it's more powerful than its musical vivacity. Like it says in the liner notes--if only the people there could realize through the commonality of their music that harmony in life. In theme it runs from traditional to madcap to truly horrific (#16 is about a woman giving away her baby before she is murdered). I believe this reflects the truth of this region--the sweet and lively nature of the people contrasting with the horrific brutality that happens there even as we speak. But rather than making you linger on tragedy, this CD makes you look forward with hope to a day when the Balkans are known only for the greatness of her people and the spirited beauty of her music.

I bought this album on a whim, never hearing any of the artists previously. I was pleasently surprised. The album is a compilation of traditional Balkan music put to modern beats. My favorites are Immigrant Suns, Grupi Albanet, and Zurle. I highly recommend this CD.

Man! Is this CD great or what! Whether you have Balkan roots or not, you'll love the music. It's got a great mix of traditional Balkan melodies, modern western tunes, and great rythm. You might be hesitant to buy a CD that contains songs in a foreign language. But by all means, look over that hump...and get it. You may not understand the words, but the music will soothe your soul!

More interesting than good.
Some good authentic tunes (16 for example - a soulful and tragic mini-opera), some thin ones (7),
some commercial bs (6,13), some modern re-interpretations of 2nd generation Balkan kids from the West.
One out of the blue Jewish ballad (!?) - sad and beautiful, but totally out of place.
Even a Polish song - they not Balkan, my doctors with no geography sense, but who cares, I guess.

Briefly, really a mixed bag, some interesting songs, some dull ones, might be ok if listened to while slightly intoxicated, or if MD.