Customer Reviews

Song Of The Crooked Dance: Early Bulgarian Traditional Music 1927-42

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This CD introduces the listener to priceless recordings of Bulgarian folk music. People who like the Bulgarian "mystery girls" (Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares) and international folk dancers will really enjoy this, as will anyone who likes international music. Some of the tunes (a 7/8 bagpipe tune and a slow 7/8 Macedonian tune played like a waltz) had me dancing in my office during my first hearing. Another (the song of the "bear handler") had me laughing out loud at the bear grunts, dog barks, and snide comments provided by actors. There are several wonderfully soulful clarinet and vocal tunes, and the CD introduces you to other instruments like the oboe-like zurla, the folk violin gadulka, trumpet and others. The CD's booklet is very informative about the making of the recordings, Bulgarian history, how Bulgarian music was being transformed during this period, the customs surrounding the music, and the meaning of the songs. If you've just heard the big state choruses, this information will fill in a lot of gaps for you, and even if you're already familiar with Bulgarian or Balkan music, the booklet will be fascinating.

Great to know that Yazoo, a label which has released dozens of great, ancient recordings (a personal favorite is the Secret Museum of Mankind series), has, in the wake of several modern variations on Bulgarian folk music, released this awesome package. The variety of compositions and arrangements of this traditional music is well documented here, and the informative liner notes are great to have. The serious ethnomusicologist will take delight in the CD's presentation and in-depth look at Bulgaria's musical heritage, and the CD is great for the casual listener.

By collecting these unique and rare bulgarian masterpieses Lauren Brody has kept the bulgarian spirit for ages. This collection presents a very special authentic Traditional music from Bulgaria that is very difficult to be found nowadays. Great album.