Customer Reviews

Musical Varieties

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Brave Combo never ceases to amaze me. Even though I have had this CD for a number of years, I have recently been listening to it routinely because it always puts me in a better mood. If you think that the world's greatest modern polka band would be a drag, think again. This CD is full of Brave Combo's best work, and crosses many musical boundaries in the process. My personal favorites are "O Holy Night Cha Cha Cha," which is exactly what you would believe it to be given the title, "Habanera Rock," an up-tempo re-rendering of a Latin classic, "Gigi," a wonderful and peculiar show tune (and I am someone who generally detests musicals), the African influenced "Skokiaan," "Sixteen Tons" done as an upbeat quasi-polka (certain to startle anyone familiar with the original), and my very favorite of all, the Doors classic "People Are Strange," a truth which will be more evident than ever after hearing this version, which is not at all what Jim Morrison had in mind.

Some of these are live and some are studio recordings, but the musicianship is first rate throughout. The band emphasizes unusual treatments of well known titles, intermixed with pleasantly surprising originals. Think of Brave Combo as Weird Al for intellectuals, or perhaps as Lawrence Welk for metalheads, although no categorization can really do them justice. This is the best CD to use as an introduction, but I warn you, this music is very addictive.

This CD could liven up almost any party. In fact, the whole thing, but particularly the last half almost sounds like they were having a great time in the studio recording it. Put this on and form a conga line! You won't be sorry.

I have listened to these guys for almost 20 years and have yet to grow tired of their unique sound. They make you want to get up and dance! I highly recommend all their albums and they're even better live! They make me proud of being from Denton, TX (their home town).

What a blast.
No intelligent, deep or thoughtful dissertation here - just a simple and earnest command: BUY THIS CD!
EVERYONE always asks me what I am listening to when this is playing - it is just a great kick in the pants. Have some FUN!

Oh boy! I'm the first one to review this CD by the most frenetic dance band on the planet. Polkas and waltzes from Europe meet Mexican cumbias and Cuban mambos; some are performed with with ska/rock energy, some are done Holy Night" as a cha-cha, The Doors' "People Are Strange" as a hora (Jewish folkdance) and music from Bizet's opera Carmen set to a twistin' beat are just a few of the highlights of this CD, which compiles the best of their out-of-print self-released LP's. I love all the BC recordings, but this one's on my desert island list.