Customer Reviews

The Greatest Hits of Polka

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This is an excellent recordng.Tune variety;rhythm of the music;vocal arrangements make this cd memorable.I must thank you for bringing Jimmy Sturr to my attention.

Playing Time - 46:55

Who They Are: By his junior year in high school, Jimmy Sturr, a young man of Irish descent, was fronting his Orchestra in Florida, New York, a fertile area to where European immigrants brought their culture, music and farming skills. Now, 14 Grammy Awards later, the big band is still primarily a polka band although its repertoire includes songs from rock `n' roll, country, Cajun and western swing works also.

What They Do: This hard-working and prolific band tours extensively and has appeared in some very prestigious venues. Their music is spirited, energetic, infectious and stimulating. His creative approach has been to adapt hits from other genres to the polka tradition. So the American melting pot is also reflected in his own simmering musical cauldron.

Any Recommendations: "Blue Skirt Waltz" provided a nice rhythmic change in the set. A few more waltzes would've been nice.

The Songs: Opening with "Beer Barrel Polka," this sampler from various Jimmy Sturr albums gives both the common and obscure. There well known tunes like "Tavern in the Town," "Yellow Rose of Texas" and "San Antonio Rose" and others that you think you've never heard of ("Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie") but you somehow instinctively know. Also includes Jimmy Sturr's classic renditions of "Pennsylvania Polka," "Helena," and 16 others

The Musicians: Jimmy fronts a full orchestra, but most pieces have featured musicians - vocalist or instrumentalist. Myron Floren's accordion is spotlighted on five selections. His most alluring moment might be "Champagne Polka" with its intricate, but uplifting, key work. Boots Randolph's supple sax jazzes up "Tavern in the Town." Willie Nelson is tapped to sing a couple swing numbers ("Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Just Because"). Other featured vocalists are The Rocco Sisters, Mel Tillis, Jordanaires, Cathy Rocco, Johnny Karash and Frank Urbanovitch.

The Bottomline: The music is lively and upbeat, and it's certainly infectiously danceable. Hoop Dee Doo, I hear a polka and my troubles are through!

Reviewed By: Joe Ross (staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my 97-year-old Grandma--she loved it--Sturr is her favorite Polka artist.

The Greatist Hits of Polkas by Jimmy Sturr.

Never heard Polkas like this. So much pep. Absolutely beond copare. NO other Polka Bands that I have head cannot compare to Jimmy Sturr and his group

I didn't like this CD.I was looking for the "old time" sound, with lots of accordions, violins, etc. This CD has entirely too much "brass" (horns).