Customer Reviews

Taraf de Haïdouks

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This exceptional recording is as far as you can get from commercial world music. Although impeccably recorded, there are no hip-hop overlays or added studio gloss. Turn it on and you're transported to a backstreet in Romania where a bunch of guys (three generations of master musicians to be precise) are singing and playing their hearts out.

The music on the CD is sad and happy, silly and poignant, but always performed with great virtuosity.

If you love the blues, bluegrass, soul, or klezmer you'll find much to love on this CD.

PS: These are the guys featured in Latcho Drom.

I am 21 years old, was born in Romania and moved to Canada 12 years ago. I remember this music from wedding, parties and even in the car. If you want to know the true spirit of a Romanian party then get this CD, if you do not want to move to it then check your pulse. I love this music as it is so full of life, without the need for a polished glossy studio make over. I remember get toghethers at my Grandmas farm when the neighbors would break out the acordion and fiddle and play this type of music. It was a wonderful flashback to a wonderful country

old music gypsy music,the thing is that these people don't sing for the fans,for money,fame but because they feel like singing.they can make you cry or laugh.. .taraf de haiduci(original name)..taraf means band ,de means of and haiduci(like robin hood ..the outlaws who robbed the rich to help the poor)..some of the songs are sang in old romanian language...if you want to see something similar or almost similar..try fanfare ciocarlia(gypsy band for moldavia region) ,gheorghe zamfir(panflute ),goran bregovic(very popular),zdob and zdub(rock with gypsy influence from moldavia),maria tanase(hard to find)...esma redzepova(gypsie from macedonia),george dalaras etc!

When I purchased this CD I was doing a lot of research into the Romany (gypsy) culture, and somehow came across Taraf de Haidouks. I got ahold of a copy, and haven't gone a week since without playing it at least twice (and that was over a year ago). No, I don't speak the language, but you don't need to, to enjoy this music. My favorite piece on the CD is "Hora Ca La Ursari" which I understand was used or is about the Romany bear trainers. It, and many others on the CD, will set your feet tapping in a way you've not experienced before!

These guys are born for the music. I am amazed by the melodic richness and authenticity of their music. I loved the combination of gypsy fiddle with acerdoen and cymbalum. Balkan peninsula is a crossroads of cultures. You will find something Russian, something Turkish, something Hungarian, something from everything in their music.

No wonder Johnny Depp had these guys playing at The Viper Room--what a sound!

We were in Europe last summer and we encountered a band of gypsies in the French Metro. They sounded JUST LIKE THIS. The sound is authentic and can fit a variety of musical tastes.

These guys are born for the music. I am amazed by the melodic richness and authenticity of their music. I loved the combination of gypsy fiddle with acerdoen and cymbalum. Balkan peninsula is a crossroads of cultures. You will find something Russian, something Turkish, something Hungarian, something from everything in their music.

I was skeptical at first but took the chance, and I'm glad I did. What a CD! Hora Ca La Ursari is agreeably best song on the CD. Not only am I going to buy the rest of Taraf De Haidouks' CDs but my friends are too! With a sound you can actually call music this CD is inspiring and fun. It makes you want to learn to play the fiddle, if you only had the time... '

Buy it, don't think twice, there is no need. You won't regret it.

No other recorded gypsy band sounds anything like these guys.They'll do absolutely anything to their instruments to get an interesting sound out of it.The vocalists don't sing, so much as, wail.There's cimbaloms, violins, vocals, flutes, accordions...etc, and the mal-usage of all these.
If you try to find technical merit to any of this, your brain will explode, because sense has no place in their approach.They're NUTS!(Though,each track has an underpinning of rhythm and melody, so there must be 'some' sanity in them).
This cd is so exciting.In the music, you can feel their love for the lifestyle and community.

this is something!!!if you never heard of taraf de haidouks ,you never lived!!!"'These guys can play a music which expresses the most intense joy. They have this gift to make you feel alive. They are among the most extraordinary people I have ever met.'Johnny Deep!!!