People's Spring [Import]

Warsaw Village Band

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: World Village USA
• ASIN: B0001BKAZ8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #218,627 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #75 in

  Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Poland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Warsaw Village Band's debut international release, People's Spring, has echoes of the familiar in its heady modern interpretations of ancient Polish Folk music: klezmer, Scandinavian-sounding melodies, singing that sometimes recalls the Bulgarian Women's Choir in its otherworldly harmony, and some trance-inducing backbeats. But it's ultimately unclassifiable, skipping genres and seamlessly melding tradition and experimentation in music that upholds its folk roots while not being bound by them. Using ancient and little-heard traditional Polish instruments like the suka--a Polish fiddle from the 16th century--and the Polish dulcimer, the Warsaw Village Band crafts their own soundscapes, infusing folk tradition with a thoroughly modern attitude. "Chassidic Dance," with its Jewish melodies and trip-hop slanted drumming, and the dirges "At My Mother's" and "Clear Water" achieve an organic fusion tinged with the psychedelic. Meanwhile, the group's lyrics amplify its contemporary leanings: "Who Is Getting Married" takes a feminist stance on marriage and "Cranes" sets an anarchistic protest song to bombastic rhythm. The group's mix of old and new styles is so complete in fact, that the last two songs on the album--dance floor-ready remixes by two Polish DJ's--are almost redundant, mixing electronic beats with Polish folk melodies in a manner not all that different from the organic remixing the Warsaw Village Band realizes throughout the whole album. --Ezra Gale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing Traditional Revival Music - Hypnotic Drum Beats, July 31, 2004

By	Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw music, full of life!, March 16, 2006

By	IWrestledZeus (USA) - See all my reviews

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!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars evolved from tradition, November 19, 2004

By	Zdzislaw Wieckowski "mieszko" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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