Polkasonic

Brave Combo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cleveland Int'l
• ASIN: B00000K2LA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,443 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #37 in Music > Indie Music > Miscellaneous > Polka

Track Listings

1. Down at the Friendly Tavern

2. Red Wing

3. Why Oh Why

4. Polka Dancer

5. Only for Love

6. Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie

7. Conchita, the Waitress

8. Skytrain

9. Glamorous Gal

10. Down in the Valley

11. Crumbling Heart

12. Purple Haze - The Jimi Hendrix Polka [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutting-edge polka that really rocks!, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Polkasonic (Audio CD)

Polkasonic, Brave Combo's 1999 release on Cleveland International Records, could easily take polka to the forefront of innovative, cutting-edge music. This album starts with three hard-hitting polka tunes that make it almost impossible to sit still. From the first notes of "Down at the Friendly Tavern", the listener can't help but get up and dance around the room, doing the polka or just whirling around with happy abandon. In all, this album features ten exciting polka numbers plus two waltzes, ranging from traditional to new original numbers. The new arrangement of "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" is the most rocking ever, with vocals by all three longtime members of the band, and building to an exciting climax. "Skytrain", Carl Finch's new thought-provoking composition, adds that element of surprise that you won't find on more traditional polka albums. The electric guitar/accordion version of "Down in the Valley" is haunting and beautiful, showing that even the oldest, most familiar tune is infused with new excitement when Brave Combo plays it. The final cut on the album is "Purple Haze". Yes, it's the same Purple Haze that Jimi Hendrix created his legend around. Here, it's revived as an upbeat polka, proving once again that polka and rock are are not mutually exclusive. Now, polka rocks big time, and Brave Combo is leading the charge with Polkasonic.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your grandfather's polka band, July 31, 2000

By 

D. Walker (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polkasonic (Audio CD)

Brave Combo has been around a long time - 20 years or so - and its muse has led it all over the map in terms of musical style and presence. One common thread runs through 20 years of BC, however - the polka. Mainstream polka enthusiasts seem to resent BC because they don't sound like the mainstream polka greats (Jimmy Sturr, Eddie Blazonczyk, and so forth), but the simple truth is that BC appeals to a much wider audience than these bands do. Your average high-energy rocker is going to really get into BC's infectious enthusiasm and wide-ranging musical tastes - and who knows, from there they may discover that they like Jimmy Sturr after all! BC is good for polka, BC is good for fun, BC is good for what ails you, and Polkasonic deserves the attention that the Grammy brings!

If you like music, polka fan or not, you owe it to yourself to check out Brave Combo. You WILL enjoy them!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just saw them live in Seattle! Amazing show!, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Polkasonic (Audio CD)

I love these guys. They can play anything. Their newest cd is a great one and this being the 20th Anniversary of Brave Combo, they sound better than ever!