Waldemar Matuska I

     What all in the field of music we could lose if he would stay in glasshouse? And what so nice glass products we lost, when he decided to go on singer’s road? I hope you agree with me, the second decision was that right. His unforgettable songs Jo třešně zrály, Tereza or Růže z Texasu are known in all generations of country fans in our countries (Slovakia, Czech).

Maybe you would be surprised that two states have some authority to consider him an own. He was born on June 2, 1932 in Košice. All youth he lived with three brothers in center of Prague. He inherited his talent of his mother, who was operetta singer in Vienna theatre scene. Despite this fact, he wasn’t accepted in school band and he hadn’t good rating of singing at school. This fact didn’t stop him to show with various bands and he had be able to play on many music instruments (for example guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica, etc.)

He finished studies and worked as glassmaker only short time, but during that time he had shows with different bands.

The first success was with band Matrosov. In 1950 he tried happiness in State band of songs and dances, from that he went to Reduta and there he established band Mambo Kvintet.

In 1960 he was first time in recording studio and he recorded his first song Suvenýr (Souvenir).

He came to theatre Semafor (Divadla SEdmi MAlých FORem - Theatres of Seven Short Forms), where very early he became star. His colleges were besides Jiří Grossmann, Miloslav Šimek, Jiří Suchý, Jiří Šlitr, Karel Štedrý, Miluška Voborníková, Eva Pilarová, etc.

The first dramas were Člověk z půdy, Zuzana je zase sama doma, Taková ztráta krve. With these dramas there also became hits as Árie měsíce, Klokočí, To všechno vodnes čas and Píseň pro Zuzanu. He sang alone and also duets. Popular duets were with Karel Štedrý (Takový je život, Opilá bílá myška), with Jiří Suchý (Píseň o koni, Kočka na okně).

In 1961 there Eva Pilarová came and she created famous duo with him. Their song Ach ta láska nebeská was Song of the Year 1962. Other famous duets with Eva were Tam za vodou v rákosí, Pozvání, S čertem si hrát, Dnes v noci etc.

This popularity open him the doors to radio and television. I can tell you programs Revue pro banjo, Pijácka romance, Kam slunce nechodí.

Růže z Texasu


Slavici z Madridu


Tisíc mil


Divoký koně

Bob Dylan – Icon of many music styles IV

     Millennium he celebrated by work, his song Things Have Changed won Golden Globe Award for the Best Original Song and Academy Award for Best Song. Dylan's greatest recent album was Love and Theft, which was realized on September 2001. This album was produced by Bob Dylan, but under pseudonym Jack Frost. Next years he released songs, and after five years he brought new studio album. During this period he recorded some songs and realized some different projects (He was grateful to Johnny Cash, who helped him and how Dylan said, „for standing up for me way back.“ He recorded song for Johnny Cash TV tribute. Releases movie – Masked & Anonymous – by Larry Charles). The movie had a limited run in Theatres and got many good critics.

On June 23, 2004, Dylan was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Music) by University of St.Andrew. On October of the same year, Dylan published his autobiography – Chronicles: Volume One, where he wrote also about the process, which ignited him to start to write own songs. The book was nominated for a National Book Award.

Martin Scorsese made film about Dylan's biography – No Direction Home. The movie presented Dylan during years 1961 (Dylan came to New York) and 1966 (Dylan had motorcycle accident). The film received Peabody Award and Columbia duPont Award.

In 2005 Bob returned to recording studio to record Tell Ol' Bill and in the next year album Modern Times, which was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
In his 65 years old, Bob became the oldest living musician to top the Billboard albums chart.

On May 3, 2006 there was premiere of Dylan's DJ career, hosting in weekly radio program for XM Satellite Radio. BBC Radio 2 started transmission of Dylan's radio to UK on December same year and BBC 6 Music on January next year.

On August 2007 the movie I'm Not There by Todd Haynes won Award. This movie was inspired by Dylan's life, original soundtrack and the other tracks were Dylan's songs, especially recorded for the movie by various interprets. Later Haynes wrote about person Dylan:
The minute you try to grab hold of Dylan, he's no longer where he was. He's like a flame: If you try to hold him in your hand you'll surely get burned. Dylan's life of change and constant disappearances and constant transformations makes you yearn to hold him, and to nail him down. And that's why his fan base is so obsessive, so desirous of finding the truth and the absolutes and the answers to him - things that Dylan will never provide and will only frustrate.... Dylan is difficult and mysterious and evasive and frustrating, and it only makes you identify with him all the more as he skirts identity.

On October 2007 Columbia Records (recording studio) released Dylan's anthology, and there was also released DVD The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965. In the same month, there was opened the first public exhibition of Bob Dylan paintings in Germany, with 170 watercolors and gouaches.

In the end of last year Dylan recorded new version of A Hard Rain's A- Gonna Fall, double CD (Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan).
And what about his plans: Dylan is working on the next volume of his autobiography Chronicles: Volume One. He plans tour through Texas, Mexico, South America, Canada, Iceland, Russia and Europe.

Bob Dylan's private life.

He married Sara Lownds on November 22, 1965. They had four children (Jesse Byron, Anna Lea, Samuel Isaac Abraham, Jacob Luke) and Dylan adopted Maria Lownds, daughter of his wife Sara Lownds' first marriage.

On June 1986 Dylan married Carolyn Dennis and they had daughter Desiree Gabrielle Dennis.

Discography:
1962 – Bob Dylan
1963 – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
1964 – The Times They Are a-Changin
1964 – Another Side of Bob Dylan
1965 – Bringing It All Back Home
1965 – Highway 61 Revisited
1966 – Blonde on Blonde
1967 – John Wesley Harding
1969 – Nashville Skyline
1970 – Self Portrait
1970 – New Morning
1973 – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
1973 – Dylan
1974 – Planet Waves
1975 – Blood on the Tracks
1975 – The Basement Tapes
1975 – Desire
1978 – Street-Legal
1979 – Slow Train Coming
1980 – Saved
1981 – Shot of Love
1983 – Infidels
1985 – Empire Burlesque
1986 – Knocked Out Loaded
1988 – Down in the Groove
1989 – Oh Mercy
1990 – Under the Red Sky
1992 – Good as I Been to You
1993 – World Gone Wrong
1997 – Time Out of Mind
2001 – "Love and Theft"
2006 – Modern Times

Compilations:
1967 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits
1971 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II
1971 – masterpieces
1985 – Biograph
1991 – The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3: Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991
1994 – Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 3
1997 – The Best of Bob Dylan Vol. 1
1997 – The Best of Bob Dylan Vol. 2
2000 – The Essential Bob Dylan
2005 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 7: No Direction Home: The Soundtrack
2005 – The Best of Bob Dylan
2007 – Dylan

Live Albums:
1974 – Before the Flood
1976 –Hard Rain
1979 – Bob Dylan at Budokan
1984 – Real Live
1989 – Dylan & The Dead
1993 – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
1995 – MTV Unplugged
1998 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The "Royal Albert Hall"

Concert
2001 – Live 1961-2000: Thirty-Nine Years of Great Concert Performances
2002 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975, The Rolling Thunder Revue
2004 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall
2005 – Live at the Gaslight 1962
2005 – Live at Carnegie Hall 1963

Singles
1962 – Mixed Up Confusion
1964 – Blowin' in the Wind
1965 – The Times They Are a-Changin
1965 – Maggie's Farm
1965 – Subterranean Homesick Blues
1965 – Like a Rolling Stone
1965 – Positively 4th Stret
1965 – Can you Please Crawl Out Your Window?
1966 – One of Us Must Know
1966 – Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
1966 – I Want You
1966 – Just Like a Woman
1967 – Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
1969 – I Trew It All Away
1969 – Lay Lady Lay
1969 – Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
1970 – Wigwam
1971 – Watching the River Flow
1971 – If Not for You
1971 – George Jackson
1973 – Knockin' on Heaven's Door
1973 – A Fool Such as I
1974 – On a Night Like This
1974 – Something There Is About You
1974 – Most Likely You Go Your Way
1974 – All Along the Watchtower
1975 – Tangled Up in Blue
1975 – Hurricane
1976 – Mozambique
1977 – Rita Mae
1978 – Is Your Love in Vain?
1978 – Baby Stop Crying
1978 – Changing of the Guards
1979 – Gotta Serve Somebody
1979 – Precious Angel
1980 – Man Gave names to All The Animals
1980 – Solid Rock
1980 – Saved
1981 – Shot of Love
1981 – Heart of Mine
1983 – Union Sundown
1984 – Jokerman
1984 – Sweetheart Like You
1985 – Tight Connection to My Heart
1985 – When The Night Comes Falling from the Sky
1986 – Band of The Hand
1986 – Got My Mind Made Up
1988 – Silvio
1989 – Everything Is Broken
1989 – Slow Train
1990 – Unbelievable
1993 – My Back Pages
1995 – Dignity
1998 – Love Sick
2000 – Things Have Changed
2006 – Someday Baby
2007 – Most Likely You'll Go Your Way

Movies:
Main roles:
1967 – Don't Look Back
1969 – Eat the Document
1978 – Renaldo and Clara
2003 – Masked & Anonymous
2005 – No Direction Home

Actor:
1973 – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
1987 – Hearts Of Fire
1990 – Backtrack aka „Catchfire“
1999 – Paradise Cove
2003 – Masked and Anonymous

Concerts:
1967 – Festival
1972 – The Concert For Bangladesh
1978 – The Last Waltz
1986 – Hard To Handle
1993 – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
1995 – MTV Unplugged

Books:
1971 – Tarantule
1972 – Writings And Drawings
1985 – Lyrics: 1962
1994 – Drawn Blank
2004 – Chronicles: Vol. One
2004 – Lyrics: 1962 – 2001
2005 – The Bob Dylan Scrapbook, 1956-1966

Biography:
2007 – I'm Not There by Todd Haynes

Appearances
1967 – Festival
1971 – The Concert for Bangladesh
1972 – Rock of Ages
1978 – The Last Waltz
2002 – Postcards of the Hanging
2003 – Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan
2005 – A Musical History
2006 – Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan DVD

I want you


Desolation Row Live 1966


Don't Think Twice, It's Alright


A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Bob Dylan – Icon of many music styles III

     In 1970 Dylan released two alums. In the same year he had co-written with George Harrison opening track of The Beatles' album All Things Must Pass - I'd Have You Anytime. He cooperated with George also in Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. In this year, Dylan had poor studio activities, he recorded only two songs, but next year he recovered it and recorded the second compilation Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II, singles George Jackson, Watching The River Flow, new recording When I Paint My Masterpiece.

In 1972 we could see him in movie Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, where he had role as Alias, member of Billy's gang. He also wrote the song from this movie (Knockin' on Heaven's Door), which to these days has about 150 artists in their repertoires.

Year 1973 he started by recording album on Atlantic Records (recording studio). In this year his contract with Columbia Records expired and he signed contract with David Geffen's Asylum Records (recording studio).

He recorded album Planet Waves with The Band. This album has two versions of the song Forever Young.

New year and new tour with The Band. Now it was through North America. From this tour there was live double album Before The Flood. This album was released on Asylum Records and in the mind of 70's also by Columbia Records.

After this tour, he had problems in his private life (he and his wife became estranged). He wrote a lot of songs about his problems in his marriage and recorded new album Blood on the Tracks. In the end of the year, he re-recorded some songs in Sound 80 Studio by production assistance of his brother David Zimmerman.

In 1975 he visited boxer Rubin Hurricane Carter in the prison and after that he wrote the successful protest song Hurricane. He believed such as Rubin, the boxer is innocent.
New tour again and new album Desire, with many of Bob Dylan's new songs. TV documented part of this tour. Same year brought the film Renaldo and Clara.
When I wanted to write about Bob Dylan, I try to find more info what I had. I haven't idea, that he has such rich discography. I found, that he brought each year some albums, singles, songs or movies. He didn't write only for himself, but also for other interprets (for example Eric Clapton). It means much, much hard work.
Lyric album Street Legal came in 1978.

In the beginning of the year 1979, he participated in Bible study class. He wanted to find Christ in his life. In that time Dylan released two albums with gospel music. One of them named Slow Train Coming and one song from that album (Gotta Serve Somebody) got Grammy Award as Best Male Vocalist. The second album named Saved. Christianity character of the albums didn't accept so well by some of his fans.
Musical retrospective Shot of Love was released in the springtime of 1981 but met only negative appreciation by critic.

During his life, he engaged in many public appearances, which were organized helping to some groups of people in the world (for example Live Aid concert in 1985).
He went through more music styles, such as country, rock and roll and also rap. In 1988, Bob Dylan went into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bob Dylan is author, songwriter, singer, musician and poet in the same person.

New decade and new Awards. In 1991 he went into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and he celebrated it by tour with Santana.

Next year he became to country style and recorded two albums with old folk and blues songs (Good as I Been to You – 1992, World Gone Wrong - 1993) 25 years after famous Woodstock Festival, he brought Woodstock 94.

As 80's, also 90's were rich on albums (Good as I Been to You – 1992, World Gone Wrong – 1993, Time Out of Mind), songs and other activities around the music. He collaborated with many interprets (Mike Seeger, Daniel Lanois, Michael Bolton, Ralph Stanley, Paul Simon, etc.).

In 1997 president of US Bill Clinton presented Bob Dylan in the East Room of the White House.

In 1998 he made duet with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley on song The Lonesome River and in the middle of next year he traveled on tour with Paul Simon. He recorded album Self Portrait and finished these 90's by movie Paradise Cove by Robert Clapsaddle (role of Alfred the Chaffeur).


Forever Young


Lay Lady Lay


Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton

Bob Dylan – Icon of many music styles II

     In 1961 he leaved this town and went to New York and visited the musical icon Woody Guthrie, who was in hospital in New Jersey. The days of life of Woody were going to finish. Woody was great inspiration for Bob. Such as later Dylan said "You could listen to his songs and actually learn how to live." In hospital Dylan met Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and they became friends.

During year, Bob played at various clubs; in July he presented himself in radio, in program "Saturday of Folk Music". He got public recognition when The New York Times published positive review by critic Robert Shelton. In September, he was invited by folk singer Carolyn Hester to play on harmonica on her album. This helped Dylan to sing contract with Columbia Records (John Hammond from that recording company listened him during recording Hester's album).

In 1962 Dylan recorded album Bob Dylan. There were folk, blues, gospel and also own songs. Maybe that does why he was unknown interpret; the album had little impact (only 5000 copies were sold). Columbia wanted to finish the contract, but Hammond and Johnny Cash ranged oneself with Bob. The contract continued and Bob recorded many songs. Someone of them was recorded under pseudonym Blind Boy Grunt.

In 1962 he changed his name to Robert Dylan and signed contract with Albert Grossman, who was his manager to 1970.

The second album was recorded in 1963, its name was The Freewheeling' Bob Dylan. Bob presented himself as singer and songwriter. Many songs from this album were protest songs, the most famous was Blowin'in the Wind. Apropos, this album inspired also The Beatles.
Other famous songs from that album were A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall and Lord Randall. Dylan had been introduced as singer with accompanied acoustic guitar.

Bob didn't train his voice and his voice had unusual sound, it was that why he was different from other singers.

He met Joan Baez, who became his lover and advocate. She helped him with career. Some other interprets (The Turtles, The Byrds, The Hollies, etc.) singed and recorded his songs, but nobody coudn't sing his songs like himself.

In 1963 he engaged in civil rights movement, he sing at rallies, he presented on BBC television. In the same year he had conflict with media: He recorded new album, The Times They Are a-Changin' (famous songs were Ballad of Hollis Brown, North Country Blues, Boots of Spanish Leather, One Too Many Mornings, Brechtian, The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol, etc.).

Next album (Another Side of Bob Dylan) was already next year. In this album you can feel rock and roll came to dominate in his music. He moved from folk scene to rock and roll. Also he changed his look and wardrobe.

Year 1965 was very rich on his activities: He started to use electric guitar. He recorded album Bringing It All Back Home, single Subterranean Homesick Blues, music video Don’t Look Back. He went to tour in England, recorded album B side, with maybe one of the most known song Mr. Tambourine Man, he had controversial presentation in Newport, other single (Like a Rolling Stone – got No 2 in US and No 4 in UK charts).

This song Like a Rolling Stone became number one on Rolling Stone magazine of its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

In 1966 Dylan agreed to record in Nashville (also Nashville is name of the city. Who doesn't know, Nashville is like Mecca of country music). Here had met great sessions, which produced the album Blonde on Blonde.

Many critics say three albums from 60's (Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde) were great cultural achievements of that century.

Year 1965 was successful not only in Dylan's professional life, but also in private. He married Sara Lownds.

Next year he traveled on world tour in Europe and Australia, when every his shows consisted of two parts – in the first he singed and played on acoustic guitar and harmonica, in the second backed by band The Hawks he singed and played high voltage electric music.
In this year, his first child Jesse Byron Dylan was born.

After tour he returned to US, especially to New York. The pressures on him increased, his manager had to prepared schedule of new concert tour, his publisher waited for his manuscript of novel. This period was hard for him, accordingly he had motorcycle crash and he broke several vertebrae in his neck. This accident showed him, what is important in his life and got change to leave that pressures for 18 months.

During this time he resumed his work, he started to edit his film from his tour in 1966, recorded with The Hawks many of his old and new songs. Many of these songs were compiled in five CD The Genuine Basement Tapes.

The Hawks renamed to The Band and recorded independent album Music from Big Pink and started their own successful career.

In October 1967 Bob Dylan returned to Nashville and recorded his first album after motorcycle accident. The name was John Wesley Harding.

Twenty month after Woody Guthrie death (on October 3, 1967), Bob made live concert at Guthrie memory.

The album Nashville Skyline brought duet with Johnny Cash and the hit single Lay Lady Lay.


Like A Rolling Stone


Knockin' On Heaven's Door


Hurricane

Bob Dylan – Icon of many music styles I.

     He inspired by his unique music, where he is interpret, author, guitar player, player on electronic mouth harmonica and strange looks in same time. A lot of interprets was inspired by him. Thanks to him, phenomenal guitar player Jim Hendrix decided to start sing. He inspired Mick Jagger,Madonna and Michael Jackson, in folk style for example Joan Baez, band Frames.

Somebody say, Bob Dylan has croaking voice, which nourish soft poetry. When he sing, sometimes he doesn’t finished some phrases and started with another and he does it again and again. He switches between sing, harmonica and other instruments.
Same as Chuck Berry, Bob swing rock’n roll authors, interprets and bands (Beatles, Jim Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Donovan, etc.).

He was born on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota US. It isn’t interesting that his grand parents came from Europe. Many grand parents of people, who are inhabitants of US, came from this continent. Why is it so? After 1492, when Christopher Columbus had found America, there came people to create a new life. (Try to see History of country). His father’s grandfather came from Russian Empire after anti-Semitic pogroms) and grandmother came from Turkey. Both immigrated to US in 1905. His mother’s grand parents (they were also Jews) came from Lithuania to US in 1902.

His origin name is Robert Allen Zimmerman. (My uncle is Zimmerman too, but I don’t think that Bob Dylan is my family. It’s only small interest.)

He spent his childhood in Duluth and Hibbing. During his youth, he listened much time the radio, blues and country stations, later rock and roll. During the study in high school, he formed the music band named The Shadow Blasters. The band has short life, but his next band named The Golden Chords played popular songs.

Bob registered at University in Minnesota in 1959. His words about his beginning in folk music: "The first thing that turned me onto folk singing was Odetta. I heard a record of hers in a record store. Right then and there, I went out and traded my electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustical guitar, a flattop Gibson. The thing about rock'n roll is that for me anyway it wasn't enough... There were great catch phrases and driving pulse rhythms...but the songs weren't serious or didn't reflect life in a realistic way. I knew, that when I got into folk music, it was more of a serious type of thing. The songs are filled with more despair, more sadness, more triumph, more faith in the supernatural, much deeper feelings."

He started to interested in Dinky town folk music. With local folk enthusiasts. During this day he introduced himself as Bob Dylan. Why this name? The name Dylan came from name of Dylan Thomas, who was poet. Every time I thought, Bob is derivate from the name Robert, but it isn't true. Bob is from popular music in that time, there were Bobbies.

He finished his college in the end of freshman year and started to work in Minneapolis.


Mr. Tambourine Man


Blowin' In the Wind


House Of The Rising Sun

Fesaci

     This band has already been popular a few tenth years. And only a few bands had so many past members as it. Everybody in this area know names as Michal Tučný, Tomáš Linka, Petr Novotný, Pavel Brűmer, Hanka Horecká, etc.

They are representative of classic country music.

The beginning of legend band history is in December 1967. The first name was Greenes, later Bluegrass Hoppers.

The basic arrangement was: Pavel Brűmer, Jan Turek and Karel Poláček. They all were young chemists.

The first public show was in one nursery, where children play old traditional about girl with name Susan.

In 1968-1970 they were very successful in Porta. They debuted by live recording from Porta Jackson and studio recording Poslední veřejné oběšení v Západní Virginii and Lora. Both were singed by Jindra Šťáhlavský.

In 1970 and 1972 band recorded two albums. In turning point 70’s, thanks to political pressure all music band with English names and wanted to present themselves, they had to change name to Czech. Bluegrass Hoppers was in same situation. And from that time we can meet Fešáci (Loverboys). The legend say, that one day Pavel Brűmer stayed in front of mirror and he came with new name.

The most famous period came after the first selection of the band Greenhorns in 1974. In this time some famous people came to Fešáci, such as Petr Novotný, Michal Tučný and Tomáš Linka. Under management of Petr Novotný, the band recorded the first album Ostrov Fešáků. Till today there were very popular songs Matterhorn, Jaro, Dárek vánoční and Já tajně cvičím.

In the same time the band changed general band sound, which turned more to modern country music. Evidence of it are songs Paní má se má, Jaro, Sundej z hodin závaží or Zvony.

     Next album Saloon Fešáků brought famous songs such as Kamaráde, pusť ten kolotoč, Sundej z hodin závaží, Dávej vinu dálkám, Svítá ve tvých tvářích. In the same year, the band got award Gold Porta.

     The third album Fešáci 2000, besides with songs Paní má se má, Dialog 2000, came in the time, when Michal Tučný decides to leave the band and started solo career (he established the band Tučňáci).

The members in that time were:
Karel Poláček – guitar, sing
Jan Turek – violin, sing
Pavel Brűmer – 5-strings banjo
František Pátek – autoharp, dobro
Robert Moucha – bassguitar, sing
In this membership the band went to tour through US in 1980.

Great asset had been coming of two gagmen – Jozef Mladý and Jozef Alois Náhlovský in 1982, and the band started with cyclic show Salon Fešáků. They recorded album Pošta Fešáci 1.

Two years later, there came also the first ladies – Hana Mladá and Hana Horecká, and in 1985 Tomáš Linka leave the band to open his solo way and he established the band Kanafas.

After Velvet Revolution in 1989 (There was finish of comunists in Czechoslovakia) the band came with total new album, Hviezda Countryon (famous song are Allways On My Mind, Lady, Balím a odcházím, Duhové znamení) and celebrated their 20’s anniversary. The main person on this album is Pavel Brűmer (Komedie plná omylů, Amanda, Hvězda Countryon, Komedianti nestárnou). Fešáci introduced new members as Jindra Malík, Miloš Slezák, Erika Řičicová and present bandmaster Antonín Kny.

In the same year, the band had success with experiment - 12 hours marathon – Fešácky maratón. There came about 25 thousand people.

As celebration of their 25 years existention, they created big show – galaconcert in Prague with about 1000 artists. The top was show of Emmylou Harris in Czech.
In 1992, from band exit Petr Novotný, who was many years the bandmaster, later also duo gagmen, Mladý - Náhlovský. It was hard shot. Some members came back to sing with band again (Tomáš Linka, Jindra Šťáhlavský) and after exit Erika Kahounová and Blanka Šurková, the band was again band with only men members.

30-years they celebrated by tour through Australia and recorded annual album Fešáci 30 let. They made more concert in Czech and also one in Slovakia. I was on two concerts. They were great. Many famous songs, many funny skits. Just great atmosphere.

From Australia they bring many themes for new songs and in 1998 new album with these songs was recorded.
The sister's band is Cadilac with Pavel Brűmer.

Actual members:
* Jindra Šťáhlavský - sing, guitar
* Jindra Malík - sing, perkuse
* Tomáš Linka - sing, mouth orcan
* Robert Moucha - sing, bass
* Antonín Kny - sing a guitar
* Petr Kocman - sing a guitar
* František Pátek - dobro, vocal, perkuse
* Jan Turek - moderate, vocal, violin
* Ladislav Bartoš - bass guitar, vocal
* Pavel Macar - keyboard
* Martin Melničenko - drum, perkuse


Diskography:
* Ostrov Fešáků, Panton, 1975
* Salon Fešáků, Panton, 1977
* Fešáci 2000, Panton, 1981
* Pošta Fešáci 1, Panton, 1983
* Hvězda Countryon, Firma 6P, 1990
* Fešáci '92: Jedeme dál, Monitor, 1992
* Fešáci 25 Live, Firma 6P, 1993
* Dokud můžem, Firma 6P, 1994
* Fešáci: 30 let, Monitor, 1997
* Fešáci - Gold, Popron, 1997
* Fešáci u klokanů, AB Studio, 1998
* Fešáci v kristových letech, Monitor EMI, 2000
* Fešáci: 35 let, Venkow/Universal, 2002
* Fešáci / Bluegrass Hoppers, Supraphon, 2004
* Fešáci v Lucerně (DVD), Supraphon, 2004
* Fešáci: Je nám 40, Vaško Music, 2007

Hits:
* Vánoční čas
* Lámat skály
* Fešácký song
* Radio
* Paní má se má
* Sundej z hodin závaží
* Dívka z Rocky Moutain
* Prodavač
* Od ní
* Kamaráde, pusť ten kolotoč
* Strašidelný vlak
* Pojedou
* Ohio
* Osud
* Jaro
* Náš vůz
* Matterhorn
* Svítá ve tvých tvářích
* Lojza a Líza
* Poslední veřejné oběšení v Západní Virginii
* Dialog 2000
* Co na Fešáky neplatí
* Zas mě volá Georgia
* Šéfe
* Duhové znamení
* Komedianti nestárnou
* Country bál
* Hvězda Countryon
* Dnes beru
* Jsi pojem
* Bílý hrob
* Deprese
* Konec smutku
* Jak se mám



Paní má se má


Dnes beru


Jaro

Pavel Bobek

     The Legend of music. We can compare him with Johnny Cash.
Pavel Bobek is absolute professional in Czech music scene, without discussion. He has sang many different music styles, the most of his musical material is in country style.

He was born in Prague, in September 16, 1937. After leaving exam in secondary school, he started to study on Faculty of architecture and structural engineering in Prague. During this study, he started to sing in band FAPS, later in Studio Of Bigbeat Music, from 1959 in PARAVAN theatre. Same, as many his friends, he preferred rock-n-roll.

After graduation, he worked as engineer – architect.

In 1963, he agreed with angaging as solo singer in Olympic (very famous band, the oldest band in Czechoslovakia music, they play rock-n-roll). Year 1964 brought recording with rock-n-roll hits Sweet Little Sixteen, Oh Boy! and duet with Pavel Šváb Sealed With A Kiss. Next year he recorded single with songs Memphis, Tennessee and Rave on.

In 1965 he exited Olympic and after two years he was already permanent member of SEMAFOR (theatre), where he was till 1990.

Cooperation with Jiří Grossmann brought him No. 1 in Top Ten of Supraphon (recording studio, one of a few studios in Czechoslovakia) with single Oh, Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát (origin Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town, by Kenny Rogers), next year No.2 with song Houston. Next success singles were Vincent and Nedělní ráno. Not even this success helped him to recorded solo album in this studio, that’s why he leave them and went to Panton.
In this recording studio in 1975 was recorded album Veď mě dál, cesto má (origin by John Denver - Take me home, country roads). In this album there were popular songs such as Pojď stoupat jak dým, Má dívka N (Ann – The Kingston Trio, melody composer Billy Edd Wheeler), Já jsem byl bloud, Víš, kto ti smí z tvých vlásků copy splést?, Nedělní ráno.

As member of Semafor (theatre), he showed with Jiří Grossmann and Miloslav Šimek in their show.

From time to time he produced some albums. The most popular album was Pojď dál a zpívej (1978) and single Lásko, mě ubývá sil. This single was all 13 months No. 1 in Top Ten Supraphon.

Other famous albums were Zkus se životu dál smát (1980), Stárnoucí mladík (1984).

He recorded duets with many singers, I can tell you for example with Marie Rottrová (S tím bláznem si nic nezačínej (1985), Dálniční hlídka (1990), Muž na konci světa (1991), Z nebe padá ranní déšť (1993), Country Boy (1993) and Bůh mě má rád (1993), Amanda, Noční déšť jde Georgií).


Discography:
(2008) Muž, který nikdy nebyl IN - Universal Music
(2007) Nedělní ráno - Universal Music
(2007) Antologie - Supraphon (2CD)
(2006) 40 hitů od A do Z - Universal Music (2CD)
(2005) Muž, který nikdy nebyl IN - Brothers Records
(2002) Všem dívkám, co jsem měl kdy rád - Universal Music
(2000) Jsem pouhý známý - Venkow Records
(1998) Pavel Bobek v Lucerně - Venkow Records
(1996) Bůh má mě rád - Bonton Music
(1995) Hejno padlých andělů - Monitor EMI
(1994) The Best Of Pavel Bobek Volume II - Panton
(1993) Zvláštní věc - Supraphon
(1993) Pojď dál a zpívej - Supraphon
(1992) The Best Of Pavel Bobek Volume I - Supraphon
(1992) Muž v zrcadle - Panton
(1988) Já přitom byl - Panton
(1986) Galaportrét - Panton
(1984) Stárnoucí mladík - Panton
(1982) The Stranger - Artia
(1981) Zkus se životu dál smát - Panton
(1981) Profil - Supraphon
(1975) Veď mě dál, cesto má - Panton

Compilations:
(2008) Okno mé lásky - Universal music -03. Všem dívkám, co jsem měl kdy rád (duet with Karel Gott)
(2008) Nejlepší písničky O Lásce všech dob - Universal Music - 14. Pavel Bobek - Lásko, mně ubývá sil -cd2
(2007) Nejlepší výběr 80.let všech dob - Universal Music -18. Lásko, mně ubývá sil
(2007) Holky z naší školky - Universal Music -18. Má dívka „N"
(2007) Zrejme letos nikde nejsou kytky - Universal Music -13. Divoká růže (duet with Marií Rottrovou)
(2007) Nejlepší country výběr všech dob - Universal Music -10. Veď mě dál, cesto má (Take Me Home, Country Roads) -cd2 / 07. Oh, Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát (Ruby, Don’t Take Your LoveTo Town)
(2007) Hold Johnnymu Cashovi - Supraphon
(2007) Den, kdy se vrátí láska - Universal Music -09. Zavolám a jen ozvěna se vrátí
(2007) Je jaká je - Universal Music -08. Nnedělní ráno / 15. Veď mě dál cesto má
(2006) Karaoke 2 - Universal music -04. Houston
(2006) Legendy českého popu 60.léta - Universal music -07. Oh, Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát
(2006) Country superpohoda - Supraphon -01. Country boy (Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy) / 15. Pojď se mnou touhle ulicí / 14. Z nebe padá ranní déšť (Early Morning Rain)-cd2 / 24. Lásko, mně ubývá sil (Lucille)-cd2
(2006) Snídaně v trávě - Universal Music -07. Pojď stoupat jak dým / 13. S tím bláznem si nic nezačínej (duet s Marií Rottrovou)
(2006) Zamilovaná - Universal Music -03. Divoká růže (duet s Marií Rottrovou)/ 17. Dítě květin
(2005) Hej pane diskžokej - Universal Music -15. Veď mě dál cesto má
(2005) Mr. Rock & Mr. Roll - Supraphon - Pavel Bobek a Olympic -02. Oh Boy!/08. Memphis, Tennessee/10. Rock Around The Clock
(2005) Hitparáda 90. let - Supraphon -21. Obludárium duet s Bolkem Polívkou -cd1
(2004) Hitparáda 70. let - Supraphon -19. Veď mě dál, cesto má
(2003) Naše country hity - Supraphon -10. Veď mě dál, cesto má
(2002) Country Pohoda I - Supraphon -02. Muž na konci světa (Seven Spanish Angels) / 21. Pojď se mnou touhle ulicí
(1999) Superhity století 1970-1979 - Universal Music -13.Oh,Ruby,nechtěj mi lásku brát
(1998) Hity z našeho saloonu - Monitor EMI -12. Noční déšť jde Georgií
(1997) Country dálnice 2 - Venkow Records
(1994) Hity 1970 - Supraphon -11. Oh, Ruby, nechtěj mi lásku brát (Ruby, Don´t Take Your Love To Town)
(1993) Hity 1974 - Supraphon

Oh Boy! - Pavel Bobek & Olympic


Country boy


Můj rodný dům

Historical festivals in Slovakia

     I'd like to write now about other festivals, festivals of historical fencing.

History of Europe is connected with many wars and wars are connected with warriors. When I stop to think of long-ago, when our ancestors run through ice plains of Europe to hound mammoths or yesteryear, when the wind blew away smell of gun-powder, there is so long time, when our dear ancestors hit together pell-mell.

In history, there exists period, which is more romantic than other, while nobody wants to live there. Dirt, famine, illnesses devastated all villages (black death, cholera, etc.). For invention of aspirin we have to wait for some centuries, same as for dental hygiene (toothbrush and paste are music of the future). To show there, for example with MP3 player or with notebook, you can wait tension on rack and then stake (it equals self-murder).

You can say: Of course, who would bring electronics to Middle Ages? Middle Ages. Dark period inclusive a few centuries and only few lights, which in the darkness lighten some events or persons, about we learned in the school (Battle of Hastings, Charles Great, Clovis I, 100-years war, Magna Charta, Joan of Arc, Marco Polo, Genghis Khan and his empire, etc.).

And what about some trifles, which are common used and we are unconscious of it. What about soap? OK, OK, soap was there, but not in that form, as we know it. It was so hard to wash with it. And why to wash? Hygiene wasn't important and it wasn't common standard in most parts of the world. Arabic world was better in this case.

Can you read? Of course, in the other way you would not be able to read this. This knowledge was, say openly, privilege of small group, same like writing. Knowledge about space, chemistry, biology and other sciences you can forget at home. These experiences should be very expensive for you and you could be nominated for charlatan or philologist. Both were dangerous and you could lose your life.

Despite of these negative facts, we are still fascinated by Middle Ages, with its stone guards in the mountains, with romantic of tournaments and heroism, with love to ladies of the court and troubadour's songs.

Knights, who were they? They were educated horse riders – warriors from aristocratic birth. They took part in crusades, which were declared to save God Grave from misbeliever' s hands (the first crusade was declared by pop Urban II, in November 27, 1095, in Clermont, France).

Usually knights were younger sons, which were out of heritage. Besides knowledge to struggle, the knights had to know also soft art of courteous poetry, straightness, protection of ladies and pure people. Of course, no everybody professed it.

To be knight, boy began to prepare from his 7 years old. He started as a servant in some aristocratic house. Besides his service near tables his lord, he helped him to wear the plate and also he went with lord to battles or tournaments.

On tournaments, knights showed their experiences in war to receive favor and love of his lady. Maybe the famous knight was Richard Lion heart.

The meeting of two different cultures (European and Islamic) had also its positive impact. Thanks collision with high cultured East, to Europe had came paper, glass mirrors, carpets, carrier-pigeon, Arabic numbers, windmills, spinach, artichokes, eggplants, coffee, tea, oil and softie shoe too.

Even also Greek culture and the master works of ancient civilization as Greece or Egypt (Arabic savants translated all works to their language. Thanks to them, many works had been well preserved for next generation), knowledge of astronomy, math and other sciences, which helped to develop Europe science.

During crusades there were established some brotherhood. Their results were protection of wayfarers to Holy land. They took care of wayfarer's finances. Between them, there were for example

Knights-Templar (The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon),

Teutonic knights,


Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta).

Templars became the most powerful from these brotherhoods. During years they climbed to Banker of Europe. This position was disfavor of French king Philip IV, the most powerful monarch. He impeached them from the worst offences and heresy. Many hundreds of Knights were busted and after tortures they were burned at the stakes. Grand Master of brotherhood, Jacques de Molay, invited both king Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V to ordeal within a year. We know, that his divination became the true and both died to the end of year (Pope only 1 month later, king after hunting accident before the end of the year.)

In the 14-th century, after crusade's cancel, knights became to honest courtiers. Tournaments were organized even few years, but the period of knights was closed forever.

     In same time with knights, there grew troubadour tradition. Its origin can be founded in south France, in Poitier, on the court of Eleanor Aquitaine, the mother of Richard Lionheart. The troubadours traveled through Europe, visited the honor courts and castles and everywhere they sing or speak about romantic love to ladies, gallantry, religious and knight exploits.

Same as in other places of Europe, there are many fans in Slovakia. They established many bands of historical fencing. Their art is presented on festivals, which are usual on many Slovak castles, on different anniversaries or celebrations. Their shows are always very fascinated and always have a lot of viewers.

In Festivals, besides shows of battles horse riders or beetle-crushers, there are presentation of historical dances, music, and music instruments and also demonstrations of historical activities and production (smithery, ceramic ware, knitting of baskets, bobbin lace work, etc.) Sometime, there are possibilities for viewers to try some activities such as knitting, bobbin, shooting from bow, ceramic ware, horse riding, carpet making, painting of gingerbreads etc. These creative workshops are very popular for adults and also for children.
At the evening there starts fire show.

Calendar of Historical Festivals:

Date	Place	Name
May 01 – September 01. 2008	Trenčín	Period camp with shooting range a kitchen on Trenčín castle
May 03. 2008	Košice	Košice days, Weapon jangle in Abov
May 24. – 25. 2008	Stará Ľubovňa	Season opening in Stará Ľubovňa
May 17. – 18. 2008	Červený Kameň	Festival of historical fencing, music, dance and crafts Červený Kameň 2008
May 31. – September 06. 2008	Trenčín	Night competition on Trenčín castle
June 18. – September 09. 2008	Bratislava	Cultural Summer and castle celebration
July 28. – August 03. 2008	Trenčín	Castle celebration 2008 – Historical celebration 2008
August 29. – 31. 2008	Devín	Festival of historical fencing, music, dance and crafts Devín 2008
October 20. – November 10. 2008		Fencing symposium + Ball of Fencers

Festivals in Slovakia and Czech (Part 3)

PORTA

The legend of country and folk festivals in past Czechoslovakia. Many famous artists started there such as Rangers, Greenhorns, Michal Tučný, Jaroslav Nohavica, etc.
     History of this famous festival started in 1967 in Ústí nad Labem. The first name of it was Celostátní festival country western music (National festival of country western music). Name Porta was derived by Labe Valley, which has name Porta Bohemica. Organizers were group of fans with Jiří Šosvald (nick name Western Grandfather) as head of them.
     Festival consists from regional competitions, the winners upgrade. This competition gets opportunity to amateur's bands and freshly, who play folk, country and tramp song.
     In the beginning the festival has two parts - country&western and tramp bands. In the second year there was established writer's competition. In the next years there were established new categories (tramp song, folk). Interest of bands was huge. Interests were above festival's opportunities,
Porta has success, radios brought Porta's songs, news started to distribute songbooks with tramp songs, in 1969 were recorded the first SP and EP.
     In 1970 was created bulletin Portýr and from that time it's interconnected with each Porta festival.
     Normalization forgot not even Porta. Therefore organizer had to change. SZM (Socialist Youth Union) became him. At the same time there had to be changing also categories and for next years competition was only in writer's category. Category Folk&Country was out of competition.

Some results of winners:

1967 - Country & Western:

• 1.Rangers (Praha)
• 2.Greenhorns (Praha)
• 3.Strings of Tennessee (Praha)
• 4.AZ septet (Ústí n. Labem)
• 5.Caravell Western (Trnava)

      - Tramp Bands:

• 1.Mohykáni (Praha)
• 2.Stopa (Pardubice)
• 3.Peklo (Semtín)
• 4.Velká naděje (Praha)
• 5.Compardos (Přibyslav)

1968 - Writers:

• 1.Krinolína, author - Kapitán Kid
• 2.Poslední míle, author - Miki Ryvola
• 3.Už nejsi, Nevado, author - Jenda Korda, Arnošt Mošna
• 4.Trail to Island, author - Miki Ryvola
• 5.Savana, author - Kapitán Kid

      - Country & Western:

• 1.Rangers (Praha)
• 2.Greenhorns (Praha)
• 3.Truckers
• 4.White Stars
• 5.Spirituál kvintet

      - Tramp Bands:

• 1.Vavasatch (Brno)
• 2.Červánek
• 3.Hoboes (Čechy)
• 4.Stopa (Pardubice)
• 5.Peklo (Semtín)

1969 - Writers:

• 1.Vyhaslý oheň, author - Milan Šebesta
• 2.Pojď už spát, author - Jiří Šosvald
• 3.Zasněný cowboy, author - Jan Kněžínek

      - Traditional Country:

• 1.White Stars (Praha)
• 2.Bluegrass Hoppers (Ústí n. Labem)
• 3.Strangers (Ústí n. Labem)

      - Modern Country:

• 1.Rivalové (Praha)
• 2.Caravell Western (Trnava)
• 3.Ontario (Ostrava)

      - Folk:

• 1.Minnesengři (České Budějovice)
• 2.The Worried Man (Vídeň)
• 3.Perpetual Vagabonds (Praha)

      - Tramp song:

• 1.Scarabeus (Praha)
• 2.Hoboes (Čechy)
• 3.Červánek

1970 - Writers:

• 1.Rumovej ďas, author - Kapitán Kid
• 2.Vyhaslý oheň, author - Milan Šebesta
• 3.Šťastnej tulák, author - Wabi Ryvola

      - Traditional Country:

• 1.Smokey Mountain Rangers (Amsterodam)

      - Modern Country:

• 1.Strangers (Ústí nad Labem)

      - Folk:

• 1.Spirituál kvintet (Praha)

      - Tramp song:

• 1.Scarabeus (Praha)
• 2.Hoboes (Čechy)
• 3.Compardos (Žďár nad Sázavou)

1971 - Writers:

• 1.Pane Bóže vod tý lásky zachraň nás, author - Miki Ryvola
• 2.Tommy, author - Wabi Daněk
• 3.Maděra, author - Kapitán Kid

      - Tramp song:

• 1.Plížák (Sokolov)
• 2.(Praha)
• 3.Island (Ústí nad Labem)

1972 - Tramp song:

• 1.Pacifik, Bizoni
• 2.Termiti, Plížák
• 3.Stopa

1976 - Tramp song:

• 1.Brontosauři, Krakatit
• 2.Slzy, Variace
• 3.Verumka, Vodnáři, Wyjou

Discography:
Porta, Supraphon 1980
Cesty '85, Panton na Portě - LIVE, Panton 1985
Cesty, Svojšický slunovrat - LIVE, Panton 1986
Porta '82, Supraphon 1983
Porta '83, Supraphon 1984
Porta '84, Supraphon 1985
Porta '85, Supraphon 1986
Porta '86, Supraphon 1987
Porta, Supraphon 1988
20 let Porty, Supraphon 1986 (2 LP desks)
Porta '88, Supraphon 1988
Porta 1990, Porta 1990