When was the last time one of these was actually on a Monday?
I'm continuing with the Hibernation lists because technically we should all be taking the time during the holidays, a time of reflection and poor musical output, to catch up on some stuff that we haven't heard before. Today's list follows with this theme, and a little bit of joyous celebration for the cold weather, too. This list hopefully will have you ready to cozy up in your nearest neighborhood pub, in sweaters and mustaches (ladies may be clean-shaven), toasting mugs of your best thick brew (my recent favorite has been Schneider Aventinus, so dark, so tasty) - but most importantly, smiling. You'll probably be laughing harder than you ever thought possible, too, with a skinny mustached man who will most likely have a gold tooth (thinking an incisor). There will be festive gypsy hats aplenty and your drunkeness will continue into the wee hours of the morning.
I've slowly transitioned this from hopeful suggestion to stern instruction.
I am not familiar with Gypsy music other than what I've heard from genius/nutjob Eugene Hütz, or seen in film, so this list will pretty much reflect that, but there have been branches off on my own and hopefully there will be further branching from everyone after today. I get the feeling that while there is a tremendous amount of respect and honor to the traditions of Gypsy and Romany music there is always room for evolution, be that from new members, new ears, new stylistic forms, or new bellies that need be filled with brew. Let me know what you think... and if you've got any other suggestions for additions to the playlist, feel free to add to it on your own. Just let me know so I can join in on the afterparty.
Naj pala soste!
1. As Munci La Plug Si La Coasa (Romica Puceanu) - Toni Iordache -- from
Sounds From A Bygone Age Vol. 4. I heard this one morning a little over a year ago I think, as I walked into the local record store here (thanks for more impulse buys than anywhere else Waterloo Records staff) and I was instantly smitten. As far as I know, Toni Iordache is a ţambal maestro (a ţambal is sort of a xylophone-esque instrument). He was imprisoned in Romania for three years (sorry for the vague info here) sometime between 65 and 80 for owning foreign currency. Apparently, say these liner notes, it was illegal to own a single foreign dollar until 1980. He was so talented (and had enough cash) that while in prison, fellow inmates took on his workload so that he was able to actually play upon his release. Gotta love the love for the ţambal.
2. 24.000 Baci (feat. Eugene Hütz from Gogol Bordello) -
Acquaragia Drom -- from
Rom Kaffe. I don't know too much about Acquaragia Drom, I just found them by their association with Eugene Hütz. From what I know, Hütz put together a little gypsy music festival not too long ago and invited this Italian group to perform. They are quite good as far as I can tell. Plus, they state on their website that they are formed from "a little of Gypsy blood and lots of traditional weddings and feasts all around Italy." I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. It makes me want to load up on Italian carbs and kick my knees up in celebration.
3. Dikiy Muzhchina - Ленинград -- off of the
Everything Is Illuminated soundtrack. The band's name is actually
Leningrad, but my itunes gave it that cool Russian name instead, so I've kept it that way. From what I've noticed on itunes, Leningrad used to have a more traditional gypsy folk sound, but have recently "ghetto'd" up their outfit. The result is this charming sound of the eastern world. It's probably what it sounds like more and more over there, rather than the old softer folky stuff. But you can see the similarities. I love this song, and I thank the EII soundtrack for turning me on to a number of artists I continue to listen to and look for in record stores.
4. Amari Szi Amari - Csókolom -- again, off of the
Everything Is Illuminated soundtrack. I chose to put two tracks from this album up because they are different sounds. Leningrad is a little more trumpety and ska-like, this track from Csókolom is a little more set in the traditional sound. There's a fiddle that runs throughout the track that pretty much sells your heart on love for life. I don't know too much about Csókolom, but they've got a couple albums on itunes and this track is included in one of them. I'd say it might be my next purchase during the winter music break. God I love new old music.
5. Madagaskar-Roumania (Tu Jésty Fáta) - Gogol Bordello -- off of the EP
East Infection. I built this playlist around this song.. my favorite Gogol song. While I like what Gogol does with Gypsy music and the way they infuse punk and ska and all that into it, I think that when they do it on such a simple and minimalist scale as they do here, they are untouchable in terms of pure enjoyment. What Hütz's raw vocals bring to the table is unbelievable. This song sounds like a traditional Romany song but it's not, it's a Gogol Bordello song. If you're really looking to find where the heart of Gogol Bordello lies, I'd say look for the early EPs. This one, and
Voila Intruder (which I'm still on the lookout for in physical form) are the two that I think really express what Gogol was formed upon and what they strive for. I don't want to bash them, but with their last two releases I feel like just a smidgen too much was placed in certain areas. It's good, it's great, but sometimes only in small doses. This track however, feels timeless.
That's it. Enjoy please with a pint or litre of thick beer.
I'm not usually a person that likes a lot of facial hair because it's so dang itchy. I like it if I'm travelling and I like it if it's cold outside. It makes me feel like a man. HA.
quick little Ming the Merciless
voil-la
Now I know that hearing, or in this case reading, another person's dreams is oftentimes terribly boring. In fact, there is nothing I hate more than an awful dream story, and really when you think about it, most of them are. I think this is mostly because dreams affect people on personal levels. It means absolutely nothing to me that you formulated some dream about your childhood dog that died when you were in 3rd grade, and about how it flew through your wall while you were drawing a picture of an elephant swinging from Tarzan's leg. To me that just sounds awful.
1. As Munci La Plug Si La Coasa (Romica Puceanu) - Toni Iordache -- from Sounds From A Bygone Age Vol. 4. I heard this one morning a little over a year ago I think, as I walked into the local record store here (thanks for more impulse buys than anywhere else Waterloo Records staff) and I was instantly smitten. As far as I know, Toni Iordache is a ţambal maestro (a ţambal is sort of a xylophone-esque instrument). He was imprisoned in Romania for three years (sorry for the vague info here) sometime between 65 and 80 for owning foreign currency. Apparently, say these liner notes, it was illegal to own a single foreign dollar until 1980. He was so talented (and had enough cash) that while in prison, fellow inmates took on his workload so that he was able to actually play upon his release. Gotta love the love for the ţambal.
2. 24.000 Baci (feat. Eugene Hütz from Gogol Bordello) - Acquaragia Drom -- from Rom Kaffe. I don't know too much about Acquaragia Drom, I just found them by their association with Eugene Hütz. From what I know, Hütz put together a little gypsy music festival not too long ago and invited this Italian group to perform. They are quite good as far as I can tell. Plus, they state on their website that they are formed from "a little of Gypsy blood and lots of traditional weddings and feasts all around Italy." I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. It makes me want to load up on Italian carbs and kick my knees up in celebration.
3. Dikiy Muzhchina - Ленинград -- off of the Everything Is Illuminated soundtrack. The band's name is actually Leningrad, but my itunes gave it that cool Russian name instead, so I've kept it that way. From what I've noticed on itunes, Leningrad used to have a more traditional gypsy folk sound, but have recently "ghetto'd" up their outfit. The result is this charming sound of the eastern world. It's probably what it sounds like more and more over there, rather than the old softer folky stuff. But you can see the similarities. I love this song, and I thank the EII soundtrack for turning me on to a number of artists I continue to listen to and look for in record stores.
5. Madagaskar-Roumania (Tu Jésty Fáta) - Gogol Bordello -- off of the EP East Infection. I built this playlist around this song.. my favorite Gogol song. While I like what Gogol does with Gypsy music and the way they infuse punk and ska and all that into it, I think that when they do it on such a simple and minimalist scale as they do here, they are untouchable in terms of pure enjoyment. What Hütz's raw vocals bring to the table is unbelievable. This song sounds like a traditional Romany song but it's not, it's a Gogol Bordello song. If you're really looking to find where the heart of Gogol Bordello lies, I'd say look for the early EPs. This one, and Voila Intruder (which I'm still on the lookout for in physical form) are the two that I think really express what Gogol was formed upon and what they strive for. I don't want to bash them, but with their last two releases I feel like just a smidgen too much was placed in certain areas. It's good, it's great, but sometimes only in small doses. This track however, feels timeless.
1. Requiem Por Un Con - Serge Gainsbourg -- from The Originals. I've just recently (within the past year or so) gotten into Monsier Gainsbourg and this is one of the first tracks that grabbed me (technically I think it's the second, but really does this sort of thing matter enough to mention? ... apparently). I've featured his daughter here before, and now with the father it's easy to see where she gets her talent from. Mr. Gainsbourg is a tremendous influence to modern music. Everyone from AIR to Seu Jorge counts him as a leading influence and from this compilation it is easy to see why. The man was at the same time sleazy and seductive all while managing to compose some of the most beautiful, relaxed and technically well-rounded material in the modern era, and he's shaped and redefined what we know of the pop landscape forever. If you're looking for a great introduction musically, look into The Originals. If you're looking for a good intro into what his lifestyle was probably like, check out the cult film Slogan. It's where he met Jane Birkin - Charlotte Gainsbourg's mom - and one hot little number. The two (Serge & Jane) put out some steamy material and were one of the first really taboo couples around (he was well into his 50's when he met the under 20 Birkin). French & Scandalous!
2. Satt Att Se - Dungen -- from 4. This Swedish Psych outfit is led by Gustav Ejstes. He is a genius. I could stop there. The first album I heard of theirs was Ta Det Lung back in 05 I think. It blew my mind. Ever since I have been hooked to everything he's put out. This latest release sees him involve the band a bit more in the writing process and the outcome has benefited immensely. There is more of a jazzy vibe to it, which is readily apparent here on "Satt Att Se" Sure, you don't understand him (unless you speak Swedish), but that incomprehension allows the vocals to become just another instrument of melody. The album is great, I have nothing more to say about it. Get it.
3. Walkin' Back To Happiness - Helen Shapiro -- from some 60's compilation. This might've been one of those 'One Hit Wonders' from the 50's/60's for all I know. I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Shapiro other than I saw her daughter play last weekend and she covered this song. She is a dead ringer for her mother vocally speaking. She ain't too bad on the eyes either. It's a happy song.
4. Shoulder To Shoulder - Little Joy -- from Little Joy. The aforementioned Shapiro, Binki is her first name. She and apparent boyfriend Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes' drummer) have joined forces with a Brazilian crooner by the name of Rodrigo Amarante (of Los Hermanos fame). Saw them last weekend, pure joy. More than just a little joy. They embody that almost naive happiness from the late 50's/early 60's. They're looking to influence a good time, and they succeed almost every time. This debut album is great throughout and is a solid recommendation. It came out Nov. 4th, which makes me count it as the one thing to come out of this Fall in the way of Modern Music that has actually surprised me enough to hold onto.
5. Until Tomorrow Then - Ed Harcourt -- from The Beautiful Lie. If ever a song were meant for the end of a night, the end of a date, or the end of a touching montage in a romantic comedy when the two main characters are on the brink of love until the man/woman does something to incite the final plot point... this would be that song. It absolutely exudes suave charm. Like Sinatra almost. The strings help out a lot, but Harcourt's voice is also heartwarming to the point of laughter. It's a solid charm of a song, which makes the first hand account I've heard of this guy's drunken field day during one night of this past SXSW even more charming. Harcourt has been a solid songwriter for the past at least 6 years since I've known his work. "Until Tomorrow Then" is proof that he seems bent on continuing such output.
