_ By now everyone should know that the Polka is not a National Dance in Poland, but rather, Polkas come from old folk tunes (even war songs), set to a dance beat by Polish Americans.
The unfortunate thing about Europe is Techno-Rock. Now, I admit it’s been a few years since I’ve been to a night-club in Poland, but I have wondered why Techno-Rock has lasted so long when the American equivalent, Disco, faded so quickly on this side of the pond. One of the reasons we go to Europe is to connect with history. But, of course, European cities are much like those in the New World… modern ! So, we visit the “old town”, and tour castles, and seek out folk dance groups to take us back in time. It is all there for the tourist. However, there is an area in Poland where the old music is as common as the contemporary. In the bars and restaurants of the mountain regions of the south, you can still hear Góralski kapelas (Highlander bands) playing the old mountain tunes, singing in their loud, traditional “white voice”. (I guess that’s so they could be heard in the hills.) Trebunie-Tutki is the most well known, but my favorite is Andrzej Obrochty-Bartuś. I had the chance to hear them perform when my Mother and I visited Zakopane. We had lunch in a karczma (tavern), and there was a great sounding Góralski band playing for the tourists. I immediately recognized them, and asked them to autograph a couple of their CD’s which I had purchased earlier that day. I am sure they were quite surprised that an American even knew who they were. On the other hand, I never liked groups like Krywań, who jazz up Góralski music… that is, until I heard them perform at an International Highland Music Festival.
Birds are like little angels, bringing sweet songs and divine guidance to us. Our tiny feathered friends can be brightly colored, like the bluebirds, cardinals, and finches in my Mother’s backyard in Western New York, or, like out here in the high desert of Southern California, black, brown, and grey. Nonetheless, the grey and white Mockingbird’s nightly concerts have brought me endless hours of joy. And I do mean endless hours. They sing all night long, taking the mandatory five minute break each hour. They also sing during the day. This is especially true of the bachelor who is trying to attract a female. According to author, Andrea Wansbury, the message of the Mockingbird is Respect….as in R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and they certainly could rival Aretha Franklin in the way they belt out a song. |