Track listing:
Petyorshka ( Russia )
Jovano Jovanke ( Macedonia )
Zsal o Savo (Hungarian Roma)
Se Rasplakal Star Bel Dedo ( Macedonia )
Skwami Tsira ( Georgia )
Fuli Tschai (German Sinti)
Romanian Medley ( Romania )
Bubamara (No Smoking Orchestra)
Balkan Medley ( Bulgaria )
Klezmer Medley (various)
Mesk Havasi ( Turkey )
Kalinka Medley (Czech Rep.-Vittorio Monti-Russia)
Review by John Offord in Fiddle On Magazine, Issue 28 (Winter / Spring 2009):
"In the Slavic languages "Ajde" means "come on" or "let's go", an invitation to dance to a "Gadje" (a non Gypsy), and this CD is certainly an inspiration to do so. The London Gypsy Orchestra is run by Gundula Gruen and consists of over 40 singers and musicians playing all kinds of instruments, especially violins, with piano accordions, plucked and blown instruments and percussion, as well as a cymbalom (hammered dulcimer). The CD is a tour through Eastern Europe, where traditionally most folk musicians are Gypsies and it is a feast of music and song (nearly all the tracks have singers). All the music is arranged, sometimes with a slow mysterious introduction, leading into dance melodies. My favourite track, (at the moment) is the "Romanian Medley". The music is haunting, surprising, vigorous, even funny and will make you feel both sad and elated (sometimes at the same time). I cannot wait to see this ensemble in concert in London at the end of March".
Review from Froots magazine, October 2009:
All photos below by Antonio Riva, from the recording
session at St Gabriels Church:
In descending order and left to right:
Martin - accordion & Chris - tambura; Alice -violin;
Clare and Cathy - flutes; Keith - accordion;
Alejandro - soprano sax; Ben - guitar; Laila - bassoon; Jeremy - guitar.
Performers on the CD:
Violin: Alice Bayer, Alison Templer, Ann Hewison, Catherine Upton, Cryn Horn, Emilie Coulette, Joanne Murray, Judy Kadifachi, Liz Pearce, Mutsumi, Roksana Nikoopour, Rosie McLeod, Sajedah Doroteja, Sara Shipton, Zoe Marriage
Viola: Alexander Knapp, Ana Cello: Lucy Manship, Rebecca Knight Double Bass: John Batchellor
Guitar: Antonio Riva, Ben Gross, Nick Sweeney (also vocals on Bubamara), Janna Eliot (also vocals on Izgreyala), Jeremy Halliwell
Tambura: Chris Scott Mandolin: Stephen Simblet Mandola: Tommo
Flute: Cathy Taylor, Claire Powell Clarinet: Isabella Fletcher, Rochelle Batchelor, Shanta Barley
Soprano Sax: Alejandro Toledo Bassoon: Laila Woozeer Trumpet: Kath Pollard Trombone: Donald Ridley
Accordion: Keith Beechey, Lois Johnson, Martin, Shzr Ee Tan
Percussion: Elisabeth Nott, Gregory McKneally, Narendra Kotiyan, Tom Wagner
Cymbalom: Marta Janitorova Voice: Evrah Director, Violin and Voice: Gundula Gruen
All pieces are arranged by Gundula Gruen and the London Gypsy Orchestra. Most are from traditional songs, with the exception of “Bubamara” by the
No Smoking Orchestra (No 8) and excerpts from “Monti Czardas” by Vittorio Monti (in No 12). © 2007
Performers: London Gypsy Orchestra
Director and Producer: Gundula Gruen
Cover Design: Paintings by Rima Staines and Kara Kovacev, design by Sasha (t-raid.com)
Photographs: Steve Cooper
Recording and Mix: James Shannon, Andrew Mellor
Mastering: ASC Studios, Ankara, Turkey
Manufacturing: Splitpixel Media, The Media Centre, 7 Northumberland St, Huddersfield , HD1 1RL
t: 01484 483093 | e: charlie@splitpixelmedia.co.uk | www.splitpixelmedia.co.uk
Recording: 16th Dec 2007 at the Warehouse Studios, London & 15th Nov 2008 at St Gabriel's Church, Wanstead.
Many thanks to our kind sponsors above, for their donated services and financial assistance for this album, and to Splitpixel Media for their excellent service.
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