Tag Archives: Balkan music

Trendafilka’s For the Olives

“Chichovite Konye,” the opening track on Trendafilka’s second album For the Olives was a good choice for its first single, as it presents the vocal group’s two sides in microcosm, as it were. Beginning with a stately, slow traditional polyphonic … Continue reading

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Téa Hodžić Trio’s Stay Awhile

The Téa Hodžić Trio is the first project for these three musicians as a trio, although they’ve been performing together as members of other ensembles for several years. Lead singer and guitarist Téa Hodžić is a native of Sarajevo in … Continue reading

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Napfonat’s Égből, Fényből

Napfonat is an energetic and enigmatic female a cappella band from Hungary whose debut album, Szól a világ released by Hangvető in May 2021, was shortlisted for the 2022 Fonogram-Award among the five Best Folk and World Music Albums of … Continue reading

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Lado’s Preveliku Radost Navišćujem Vama (Christmas Songs and Carols of Dalmatia)

This album combines one type of music that I love, Balkan folk, with one type of music I’m not so crazy about, Christmas carols. The Balkan folk music wins this battle of the genres. Lado, the Folk Dance Ensemble of … Continue reading

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Lakvar’s Fiction and Folkore

One of my favorite songs of the autum of 2023 is Lakvar’s “Koga.” They’re a big ensemble of at least seven musicians from all over central and eastern Europe, based in Stuttgart, playing a rock-influenced version of Eastern European folk … Continue reading

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Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble’s Vela Luka

Vela Luka has been one of the most popular acts at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, Washington, for many years. The ensemble’s self-produced, -released, and -distributed CD gives a good idea of why. Clocking in at a little more … Continue reading

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Silver Arm’s Never Despair

The world is a strange place, full of people who think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. In Europe, where I live, we are crowded with singers and musicians who do their best to sound … Continue reading

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Elina Duni’s A Time To Remember

A new Elina Duni album is always cause for joy, and A Time To Remember is no exception. This time out she follows up her 2020 quartet recording Lost Ships with a varied program of 12 songs ranging from American … Continue reading

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Reptile Palace Orchestra’s We Know You Know

Pure Camp. It’s not a more mellow Three Mustaphas Three, but there’s a connection somewhere here. Perhaps it’s the occasional frenetic pace, the clever send-ups of everything Americana. The borscht belt is in there somewhere, but this is not your … Continue reading

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Balkan Clarinet Summit’s Many Languages, One Soul

If you at all like instrumental music from southeastern Europe, if you enjoy the sound and versatility of the clarinet, or if you just like wildly eclectic international music – personally, all three describe me – then this Balkan Clarinet … Continue reading

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