Strictly oldies this time – from Poland. Though the cover of this one looks fairly psychedelic, most of the songs are light pop. Skaldowie were huge stars in the ’60s and ’70s and this LP was probably as common in Poland as the Raiders Spirit of ’67was here.
I used to find interesting LPs from Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia in Greenpoint and Astoria. I recently sorted through them looking for the best tracks and I’ll post a batch this month. As a general rule the covers are far cooler than the music, but there’s usually at least a couple good songs on each LP.
I’d like to find someone with the records and knowledge to cover the East European scene in some depth: not so much the big pop acts like this group but the underground or ‘garage’ scene – if there was an underground at all in 1965-66.
Skaldowie formed in 1965, headed by Andrzej Zielinski (keyboards and “spiew”) and his younger brother Jacek, also on vocals. Other members included Marek Jamrozy (guitar and vocals), Jerzy Tarsinski (guitar), Konrad Ratynski (bass and vocals), and Jan Budziaszek (drums). Leszek Moczulski was their lyricist.
After winning some contests they cut their first LP in 1967 and featured in a few movies – there are plenty of videos on YouTube for those who want to see and hear more. They even toured the US and Canada in August and September 1969, purchasing a Hammond organ and becoming more prog-rock.
The LP I’m featuring today was their second, Wszystko mi mówi, że mnie ktos pokochał, recorded in March, 1968, on the Pronit label. On this LP they have vocal help from the female cycling sextet Ali Babki, though only on some songs. The back cover gives some extended notes in English for some reason. Their name in English ‘The Skalds’ refers to an ancient group of Scandinavian poets, though English speakers are more likely to think of burn victims.
Some people rate this LP highly, but I only found a few tracks I cared for. “On the Hill Top” (Na Wirsycku) starts out like the Soviet Men’s Chorus but the howling at 1:24 has an eerie feel, followed with a good guitar solo.
Not surprisingly, one of the ‘originals’, “There’ll Be a Christmas Carol” (Bedzie Koleda) sounds very much like some Western hit, but I can’t remember exactly which song it reminds me of.
“The 26th Dream” (“Dwudzieste Szoste Marzenie”) also has some hooks reminiscent of other songs of the era, but is still an interesting composition.
Sources include: Progarchives.com
Thanks for these – pretty cool!
You need to check out the 2 volume “Wrenchin The Wires” comp series feat. beat bands from Poland.
Both excellent comps (esp. volume 2), about 50% taken from radio sessions. Good and informative liner notes as well.
Finally a band from my country. They were indeed great stars here back in the 60s. Are you going to cover Czerwone Gitary as well?
Yep, but only the LP I have (2) and a few tracks from it.
That will be great. Their second LP have some great tracks. It’s nice to see that you are going to cover the East European music scene. I see that you already have The Beatmen, The Soulmen and Olympic from Czechoslovakia. I don’t know much about any underground bands in that region though. Maybe I could help with translating from Polish or other Slavic languages but I guess a lot of people could do it. Anyway, I’m very interested in that research. You can contact me if you like.