Customer Reviews

People's Spring

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a Polish American here in the diaspora, it's hard to find quality music of the "motherland" that doesn't sound as cheesy as nachos. But Warsaw Village Band really put together the most original, musically professional, exciting album one could hope for. I was really impressed at the creativity that went into developing the songs, whether it was hints of traditional Indian music, or Klezmer rythm, or the techno remix of "At My Mother's"-all fabulous! The haunting yet prolific bialy glos really is a experience one must listen to at least once in his lifetime.

I personally, can't get enough. Dziekuje!

The band's take on folk music is welcome as an evolution from the traditional forms. The old folks in the remote villages might be a bit surprised by the interpretations, and might barely recognize them, as the original sound would be a bit more sparse. The band's approach is wildly successful: minor keys, odd modes, which give some Polish folk its somewhat primordial, other worldly, viscerally physical flavor. While the mixes are modern etc., the spirit remains true to the roots of the music. The band clearly loves this music. And Warsaw in some sense is a big village

The Warsaw Village Band has revived traditional Polish roots music bringing forth the soul of Poland. It is expressed with mesmerizing music, hypnotic rhythms, and haunting vocals. The violin music has an earthy appealing sound ...the drum beats resemble the beating heart of the country.

Track #1 "To You Kasiuna" begins with a cimbalom solo that is highly interpretive and exciting. Next the hypnotic drum beat captures the primordial instincts of the listener - while unique vocal chants bring forth echoes from the past. It makes the listener feel they are participating in a dream, a film that captures life in the village at the turn of the century. Only you are awake and fully aware it is ... a dream. There is feeling of reviving a memory ... of what used to be. There is a tremendously effective gypsy brass band sound, played on the trumpet. The hurdy gurdy adds special intonations of a bygone era, while the drum beat brings into the awareness of here and now.

Track #2 "Chassidic Dance" has the far off sound of a village band playing a highly appealing melody, including the "squeaky" violin playing technique of an Eastern Europe village musician. This music is nostalgic, haunting, and evocative with its "far off" music from another era.

Track #5 "A Red Apple" is ethereal sounding with a beautiful haunting voice of a young female vocalist. This listener would love to know the English translation of this song and learn more about the significance of the red apple ...

This CD has powerful appeal due to the unique interpretations and improvisations which the highly talented Warsaw Village Band apply to traditional music. They love the music of their homeland which is evident in this extraordinairily powerful creative musical endeavor. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

After seeing WVB at LA's Water Court this summer, I went online to find a place to buy a recording of this phenomenal music. It is folk music for the 21st Century--it is raw and sophisticated, incredibly exciting and some of the most inspirational music I have heard in a long time.

People's Spring is the latest offering from Warsaw Village Band, featuring a "hardcore folk" evolution of traditional Polish music, made possible by blending punk-like or "bio-techno" influences with electronic remixing into the themes of Polish folk music that have endured centuries of pressures from war, politics, and especially twentieth-century strife. Warsaw Village Band's exciting new influence has earned them a recent nomination in the newcomer category of the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. Lyrics reflect social and political concerns, including a woman's own contrary stance regarding her presumed marriage, and exhortations to youth to "be nobody's servant." A driving, emotional, and up-front listening experience. Tracks include To You Kasiunia (5:12), Chassidic Dance (4:12), At My Mother's (4:16), I Had A Lover (4:00), A Red Apple (6:10), Traditional Rural Polka (2:37), Who Is Getting Married (2:53), Clear Water (2:44), What Have You Been Doing Kasia (1:41), Polka Folk Is Dead (1:46), The Rain Is Falling (8:56), Cranes (3:50), Maydow (4:42), Matecka (5:23), and Joint Venture In The Village (6:11).

This cd blends so many different genres of music, among them are polish folk, hip hop, trance and classical composition. There is such unique imagery, such strong, evil, desperate, and longing undertones. When i listen to this music I think of fire, women in white silk dresses dancing in spiraling formations, adorning small trinkets, with eyes wide and staring blankly, possesed by the pulsating organic rhythms. And that is the best part about this music- what they are able to acomplish without the use of electronic instrumentation or modification. Buy this cd and buy a candle. Late some night, sit crosslegged next to the lit candle and put this music on as loud as possible. Then simply close your eyes and let yourself be taken adrift.....

is that thunder on the horizon? nope, it's the warsaw village band making a storm of music. this is the best world music disc i have heard in several years. they call it "hardcore folk," and that seems about as good a label as any. this is powerfully emotional music. heavy with a darkly foreboding sound. an intense, ominous vibe. the musical muscle of all those drums lifting up to the sky such a big sound. the mesmerizing trance tones of the fiddles, singing a stark beauty. great eastern eupropean music. about as good as any i have ever heard. highly, highly recommended.

"People's Spring" is a wonderful CD recorded by the Warsaw Village Band. I have owned it for a number of years and always play it when I am serving friends a Polish meal... many have remarked that it is not what they expected... and that it was quite enjoyable. A few weeks ago, a friend was over for lunch and heard the CD for the first time... he loved it and asked where I had purchased it. Since I now live in Genova Italy and had originally purchased it in Maryland... I was unable to be of any real help in finding a copy here for him. After he left, I thought to check Amazon... and immediately ordered this copy for his birthday next month... I am sure he will continue to enjoy it as much as I have.