Travellin' Companion: A Musical Journey To Poland
Welt Wunder (www.weltwunder.com)

For most of their history, the Poles did not have their own country, and some claim they are without their own music. (Not even the polka, whose origin is partly Slovenian.) When a folk movement developed in the mid-'80s, many Polish bands played Irish or Peruvian music, in rejection of the "tourist" music favored by the state. In the years after, many things changed: old instruments were electrified, and new ones like samplers were embraced. Eclecticism flourished, throwing rock and blues in traditional settings. Some of it is familiar, the accordions and massed choirs common to Eastern Europe. But the blend is new, a vibrant sound in the midst of discovery. Hearing this, you explore along with them.

Berklejdy "Kuker"

This has a lot of variety; many songs start on familiar ground and move in new directions. The trio Kroke has two accordions: their somber dance races to a frenzied finish. Same with the Saint Nicholas Orchestra: a large college ensemble, the male chorus on "Malinowa" will turn your head. "Swoosh papa jada jada swoosh nama laynay" � sounds great even if the meaning escapes you. "Piejo Kury Piejo" defies description: a peasant tune gimmicked with tribal drums, funk bass, spacey synths, and sampled chickens(?) You could hear it at the dance club, only it's sung in Polish. You never would have expected it and that's what makes it special.

Grzegorz z Ciechowa "Piejo Kury Piejo" (excerpt)

Some of the tunes just make you smile. Berklejdy plays island rhythms on a cymbalom. The gypsy Dziani, with a poet's violin and a rock star's voice. The passionate Slawek Wierzcholski offer a blues with a bagpipe. Feel the mystic grace of "Krecony", where string converse with didgeridoo and dance to Saint Nicholas' "Lemkowska" in a pool of soft voices and laughing children. The feel is exuberant: it's a great way to learn the music of Poland. It's also a great way to have fun! - John Barrett

CD available in the US from CDRoots

More music and reviews of music from Poland.

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