Song of the Crooked Dance

Listen to some clips 1. Selska Svadba 2. Trima Bratya Dyulgeri 3. Ya Stani Milke 4. Kopano 5. Aguntse Milo Baiovo 6. Zemetresnie v Bulgaria 7. Clarinet 8. Dimo na Rada

"Some of the most powerful Bulgarian recordings ever made...The musicians on this disc perform the rare feat of matching virtuosity with depth and warmth."

A collection of some of the finest Bulgarian traditional music ever recorded. Documented in the 1920s and 30s, these rare recordings capture the music in all its glory and power. This CD presents a sweeping overview of the whole spectrum of rural and urban Bulgarian music.

$16 + $3.50 S&H (USD)

(U.S. and Canadian orders only)

(European buyers may visit amazon.co.uk)

Review from RootsWorld

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

For the past 25 years producer Lauren Brody has been studying the development of Bulgarian music both inside and outside the country. In 1990, Brody spent a year in Bulgaria doing historical research and transferring material from original 78's with funding from a Fulbright grant. This CD covers quite an array of music, featuring performances of traditional vocal and instrumental folk music from urban and rural Bulgaria. Mita Stoicheva with the Ivan Kavaldzhiev orchestra, gives a stunning vocal performance of "Trima bratya dyulgeri," well-known as the ballad of the walled-in bride. Solo pieces on this recording, like the very staccato kaval (flute) piece played by Tsvyatko Blagoev, have a very powerful presence in the solo setting. The rough recording quality gives the music extra character and a feeling of truly listening to something of the past. The extensive liner notes are a treasure, helping to make this a fine package. - Trevor Healy

and Stacy Phillips adds:
This is a collection of traditional Bulgarian music recorded from 1927-42. Since this is pre-Soviet state programmed "socialist art-folk", it is a chance to hear the real thing (even if heavily tilted toward urban folk performers). It is produced by Lauren Brody, ace accordionist in the klezmer scene, and an expert in Bulgarian music. She contributes informed notes about the history of the music, song lyrics and short biographies of some of the performers.

You will hear a potpourri of bagpipes, accordions, clarinets, oboe-like reeds, trumpets, end-blown flutes, heart-tugging rubato ballads, seizure-inducing crooked meters, and even a straight-ahead waltz and 2/4 dance. Forget Les Mystere de Voix Bulgare, this is the real McCoy. . . er, the real Boris. - Stacy Phillips

Outsinging the Nightingale:

Lost Treasures of Bulgarian Music

A unique collection on 4 CDs with 100-tracks - 97 of which are being reissued for the first time- from early commercial recordings transferred in Bulgaria by Lauren Brody. 8-page accompanying booklets with historical information and photos.

"This amazing compilation expands our appreciation for the diversity and richness of Bulgarian music…For those familiar only with Bulgarian music recorded after WWII, this is an enlightening and exciting historical perspective."

Mark Levy, Ph.D. University of Oregon School of Music and Dance.

Listen to audio clips 1. Dosta sme yali i pili 2. Stoyan na Stanka 3. Subrala Denka sedenka 4. Mentsite drunkat 5. Vladaisko horo 6. Pasal e Stanyo shileta 7. Raina Knyaginyata 8. Kako shto e tazi chasha

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$29 + 4.50 S & H (USD)

(U.S. and Canadian orders only)

(European buyers may visit amazon.co.uk)