Holidays finished and we all are back at job. I'm sure, somebody of us spent free days on romantic way or dream's islands (see up) with perfect person.
My holidays were different, but also nice. I spent holidays on way. But perfect way, I think. I spent it in adventure parks in Europe, especially in Germany and Belgium. (And I recommend you Europa park in Rust.) But I don't like to write about parks. This blog isn't about that, but about music, especially in country and folk music.
It isn't list what you've waited. These names are names of Czech bands and singers. Yes, they are my favourite. And also Bee Gees and ABBA, but it isn't Folk or Country, as you know.
And what about American singers. I prefer John Denver.
1975 – Calypso, Fly Away, I’m Sorry, Thank God I’m A Country Boy
1976 – Looking For Space
1977 – Baby You Look Good To Me Tonight
1978 – How can I Leave You Again
1981 – Take Me Home Country Roads (re-release)
Platinum Albums (1 Million Sold):
Back Home Again
Poems, Prayers and Promises
Rocky Mountain High
John Denver’s Greatest Hits
An Evening With John Denver
A Christmas Together (John Denver and the Muppets)
I Want To Live
Spirit
Platinum Singles:
Take Me Home Country Roads
Gold Albums (1/2 Million Sold):
Rocky Mountain High
Farewell Andromeda
Aerie
Windsong
Back Home Again
Rocky Mountain Christmas
Poems, prayers and Promises
John Denver’s Greatest Hits
An Evening with John Denver
I Want To Live
A Christmas Together
Spirit
Somedays Are Diamonds
Gold Singles:
Sunshine On My Shoulders
Back Home Again
I’m Sorry
Thank God I’m A Country Boy
Annie’s Song
Perhaps Love (with Placido Damingo)
Canadian Gold:
John Denver’s Greatest Hits
A Christmas Together
Australian Gold:
Rocky Mountain Christmas
An Evening With John Denver
Windsong
Rocky Mountain High
John Denver’s Greatest Hits
Poems, Prayers and Promises
Back Home Again
Higher Ground
German Gold:
The Best of John Denver
In 1981, John received a special RCA Award for his album “ John Denver’s Greatest Hits”, which sold in excess of 20 Million copies in the United States alone, and is still one of the largest selling albums in the history of RCA.
INTERNATIONAL RECORD SALES
AUSTRALIA
GOLD (Over 20,000 units sold):
Spirit
Rocky Mountain High
Author
John Denver Live
An Evening With John Denver
Greatest Hits Volume 2
Windsong
Poems, Prayers and Promises
Back Home Again
PLATINUM (Over 50,000 units sold):
Greatest hits Volume 2
Back Home Again
Some Days Are Like Diamonds
GERMANY
GOLD (Over 250,000 units sold):
Great Successes (a release of Greatest Hits Vols. 1&2)
Next years weren't so good for John's career. He started to embark upon humanitarian causes, also to help to save wild animal' life, made friendship with ecological organizations.
John Denver was married twice. The first his wife was Annie Martell. Annie was the subject of his song Annie's Song. Both adopted two children, boy Zachary and girl Anna Kate. Zachary was subject of song A Baby Just Like You and Merry Christmas, Little Zachary.
In 1982 John divorce with Annie and in 1988 he married Cassandra Delaney, Australian singer and actress. They had daughter Jesse Belle. This marrage wasn't so long, only 5 years. They divorced in 1993. John Denver reconciled to his first wife Annie. They became friends.
It was bad day for all country scene. October 12, 1997. In that day John Denver piloted his aircraft. This A Long-EZ aircraft was experimental aircraft, which was designed by Burt Rutan in 70's. John had many experiences with piloting. John died in aircraft accident near Pacific Grove, California.
John was cremated with his first guitar - Gibson guitar- which had been given to him by his grandmother and which accompanied him during his all life.
Unfortunately John is death, but his songs with gentle melodies, are still famous. He accompanied himself on 12-strings guitar. His look was immuntable - western shirt, blue eyes, blond hair. HE was typical outdoor person, who loved life in the nature. His favourite color was green, favourite flowers were wild flowers. He lived in Rocky Mountains, in Aspen, Colorado. About this place, he wrote famous song Rocky Mountains High. The other his song Take Me Home, Country Roads became the Country Anthem and became to Songwriters Hall of Fame. Song Leaving On A Jet Plane was used in movie Armagedon.
During life, John Denver acquired a lot of Awards (Grammy, American Music, Emmy, etc.).
List of Awards: 1974 - Album of the Year (Academy of Country Music Awards)-Back Home Again 1975 - Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special (Emmy Awards)-An Evening With John Denver 1975 - Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (American Music Awards) 1975 - Song of the Year (Country Music Association Awards)- Back Home Again 1975 - Entertainer of the Year (Country Music Association Awards) 1976 - Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (American Music Awards) 1976 - Favorite Country Male Artist (American Music Awards) 1976 - Favorite Country Album (American Music Awards) - Back Home Again 1997 - Best Musical Album for Children (Grammy Awards)-All Aboard! 1998 - Grammy Hall of Fame Award (Grammy Awards)-Take Me Home, Country Roads
Other recognition: · Poet Laureate of Colorado, 1977 · People’s Choice Award, 1977 · Carl Sandburg’s People’s Poet Award, 1982 · NASA Public Service Medal, 1985 · Albert Schweitzer Music Award, 1993 · Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, 1996 · Rocky Mountain High declared state song of Colorado, 2007 · Ten Outstanding Young Men of America, 1979
In 1969 he started his solo career and recorded his first album named Rhymes and Reasons in RCA Records (recording studio). The album hasn't huge success, but one song from this album became a number one in the same year. It was song Leaving On A Jet Plane.
In the next year he realised two albums, named Whose Garden Was This? and Take Me To Tomorrow. Although these albums were not as successful as those that followed, they would all be certified gold by the RIAA, and would later be considered some of his best work.
Next year and new album. It was Poem, Prayers and Promised. There was the famous hit and country anthem Take Me Home, Country Roads. From that time, Johny's career grew up and brought hit by hit.
In year 1972 was recorded his first Top Ten Album. Very famous song fromthat was Rocky Mountain High. It could say, this period was very rich of hits.There were Sunshine On My Shoulders, Annie's Song, Back Home Again, Thank God I'm Country Boy, Calypso, Sweet Surrender.
Why was he so succesful? What was the key of his popularity? They were many appearances on TV shows. His look with long blond hairs, western shirts with ornaments, etc, it was new image and made him very photogenic person - pop star. Denver made his own show, music special named Rocky Mountain Christmas. This show was watched by many millions people. Live concert An Evening With John Denver won the Emmy. From Muppet Show where John was many times visitor, there began the friendship with Jim Henson.
In 1977 John tried his historionic career in the movie Oh, God!. Year 1975 brought award to him (Country Music Associoation).
John Denver developed not only his singer's career, but started also wiht charity. In 1977 he co-founded The Hunger Project ("It is non-profit charitable organization incorporated in the state of California. The Hunger Project describes itself as committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. In thirteen countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the organization claims it implements programs that mobilize rural grassroots communities to achieve sustainable progress in health, education, nutrition and family income." More information - Wikipedia) and cooperated with this organization until his death. He made song with this theme, named I Want To Live. John Denver also cooperated with UNICEF ("United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, which was created on December 11, 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Its programs emphasize developing community-level services to promote the health and well-being of children." More information - Wikipedia).
In 1982 John changed his image - he cut his long hair, he left the glassed and chose contact lenses, he started to work to promote political ideas. He promoted campain of Jimmy Carter. He symphatized with Democratic Party. During 1980's he critized Reagan Administration and also American Conservatism and Congress. From this period became folk rock ballad Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For), The Ballad of Richard Nixon, The Ballad of Spiro Agnew.
I remember that time, when I heard John Denver's songs the first time. It was in the night on Saturday, by radio in my room on school hostel. I was in bed and listened program of regional radio. Every Saturday was devoted to some country or folk singer. That day it was John Denver. I know the song Take me ome, Country roads, in Czech (by Michal Tučný) and English version, but I didn't know, who sang it in original or who is author of that. I should tell you, ussually it doesn't matter for me, who sang or composed or wrote the songs. For me, it's important if I like it or don't. The song Take me home, Country roads was only one songs by John what I knew in that time. On that Saturday, I listen about 20 songs and I liked it so much.
John Denver was the most popular folk singer and songwriter of the 1970s. He was born on December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico as Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr..
His father was Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr., the Air Force officer and flight instructor. John grew up near airport and airplanes. Maybe that's why he liked flying so much. But it's important to tell he had had some troubles with his father.
When John was years old boy, he received accoustic guitar. It was present by his grand mother. He started to learn during the time on college at local pubs. In the same time he adopted this next famous surname "Denver" (from the capital city of his favourite state).
In 1964 he leaved the University (Architecture at Texas Tech University) and went to Los Angeles, California, where he sang in folk pubs. One year later, he started with music folk group The Chad Mitchell Trio. Later band renamed to The Mitchell Trio and then Denver, Boise, and Johnson (the names of band members: John Denver, David Boise and Michael Johnson).
I think nobody is her who have never heard this legendary song, which became the Country Anthem. I know, everybody knows the name of it. Yes, you're true. It's Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver.
I don't know how many translation this song has, but in our language it's known as Veď mě dál cesto má and this song is sung by many singers and also near every campfire and country festivals.
That's why, here it is: TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS Written By John Denver, Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert
Almost Heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze
Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong West Virginia mountain mama Take me home, Country Roads
All my memories gather 'round her Miner's lady, stranger to blue water Dark and dusty, painted on the sky Misty taste of moonshine teardrop in my eye
Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong West Virginia mountain mama Take me home, Country Roads
I hear her voice, in the mornin' hour as she calls me The radio reminds me of my home far away And drivin' down the road I get a feelin' That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong West Virginia mountain mama Take me home, Country Roads
Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong West Virginia mountain mama Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads (1983 - in Japan)
Take me home, Country Roads (by Pavel Bobek - legend of Czechoslovakia music scene)
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 PortaJackson 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
What that name means? I know, you smile now, you can explain it. Of course, I know meaning of it too. In our language it's something like green ear, little pheasant, beginner, amateur. Stop, stop, stop. If you listen them, you should change your opinion. Maybe they are everything, but not amateurs – greenhorns. Greenhorns (in our language Zelenáči) are czech country music group, with bluegrass and country base. The group was established in 1965. (many famous country groups in Czechoslovakia were established during 60 and 70-teen years of last century – see Rangers, Taxmeni).
This country group was established in 1965 in Prague. All members were friend from hiking settlement (tramp camp) Hejkalů.
The basic arrangement: Jan Vyčítal – sing, 12 strings guitar Josef Šimek – mandolin Marko Čermák – 5 strings banjo Petr Bryndáč – violin Jiří Fallada – contrabass
In October of the same year, group had own first show in club Olympic (Jiří Grossmann invited them.) but this show was unsuccessful. Maybe that's why it was ortodox beat club. But never mind. After one month Greenhorns had huge success in competition of tramp's groups. In 1967 the group won Porta and they recorded their the first single. In 1968 they had tour in Germany. Thanks to political situation, their visit was overextended. Greenhorns returned after two months and recorded album. The most important thing of their history (1969) was arrival of Mirek Hoffmann, Michal Tučný and Tomáš Linka. It was here, where Honza Vyčítal advised Michal Tučný to sing in Czech. It was Gold period of group. During 70-teen Greenhorns started to have a special liking more for country style. In 1972 some member (speaker Petr Novotný, Tomáš Linka and Michal Tučný) departed them and entried to BluegrassHoppers and changed the name to Fešáci. Every few years the group recorded album (Písně amerického Západu 1970, Písně větru z hor 1974, Silnice, řeky, tratě a stezky - 1976) Like Rangers, Greenhorns had to change their name to Zelenáči (it s' same name but in translation). In 1978 they played in movie Balada pro banditu (Ballad for Gunman). After 1989 they became to original name, but also to separate. Now, there are existing two groups - Greenhorns with Honza Vyčítal and Nový Zelenáči (New Greenhorns) with Mirek Hoffmann.
Actual members of Greenhorns : Jan (Honza) Vyčítal (from 1965) – sing Milan Černý (from 1996) – contrabass Václav Šváb (from 1999) – drums Eda Panschab (from 2002) – banjo Medard Konopík (from 2006) – sing, guitar Jiří Zima –(from 2006) – pedal-steel guitar Honza "Freddy" Zubárik - sing, guitar
Actual members of New Greenhorns : Mirek Hoffmann - sing Milan Krbec - guitar Franta Kacafírek - sing, violin Jirka Drnec - guitar Janda Hnyk - drums Pavel Král - sing, mandolin, guitar
During the time, we could seen other members as : Josef Šimek 1965 - 1980 Marko Čermák 1965 - 1988 Petr Bryndač 1965 - 1967, 1969, 1973 - 1980 Jiří Fallada 1965 - 1967 Karel Vágner 1967 Václav Češka 1968 Jan Jedlička 1968 Michal Tučný 1969 - 1974 Vladimír Štýbr 1969 - 1995 Josef Dobeš 1969 - 1974 Miroslav Hoffmann 1970 - 1990 Tomáš Linka 1970 - 1974, 1987 - 1995 Vít Tučný 1974 - 1986 Pavel Král 1974 - 1990 Jaroslav Hnyk 1974 - 1990 Zdeněk Kryštof 1976 - 1990 Miloslav Totter 1979 - 1980 Aleš Maudr 1980 - 1995 František Kacafírek 1981 - 1990 František Donáth 1990 - 1999 Petr Kocman 1995 - 2006 Jan Hromas 1995 - 1996 Ilja Herain 1995 - 2002 Miroslav Roček 1992 - 2002 David Babka 2002 – 2006
Almost their songs became to traditional (Blízko Little Big Hornu, Když náš táta hrál, Na Vánoce ráno, Honzův song, Červená řeka, Battledress, Oranžový expres, Rovnou, tady rovnou, Tequila Sheila, Abilene, Dívka s vlasem medovým). Maybe the most popular (especially in Pils) is song To tenkrát v čtyřicátom pátom. This song is about end of the second war, US army in Pils, next political situation in Czechoslovakia (when comunists lied that Czechoslovakia was disengaged by CCCP's Army.). Many people, who were in revolt in the West (Britain, France, etc) were pilloried, lost their jobs, were locked up to prisons or also executed.
Discography · Zlatá éra 1967 - 1974 (3CD) 2007 Supraphon · Těm, kteří tu už nejsou 2005 Multisonic · Rovnou, tady rovnou 2004 Universal music · Honza Vyčítal a Greenhorns - Dalas! 2003 Universal (Venkow) · 60 - Honza Vyčítal a Greenhorns 2002 Universal (Venkow) · Když Pepa Šimek hrál 2001 Bonton · Greenhorns 2000: Plav vocuď ty grázle 1999 Venkow · Marko Čermák & Greenhorns - Banjo z Mlžných lesů 1998 Sony BMG Music · Greenhorns - master serie 1998 Venkow · Hlavou dolů 1996 Venkow · 50x30 Let Greenhorns (1965-1995) 1995 Panton · Potkal klokan klokana 1994 Venkow · Country saloon 1992 Venkow · Greenhorns ´93 1992 Venkow · Zlatá éra 1991 Panton · Čtvrtstoletí se Zelenáči 1991 Supraphon · To tenkrát v čtyřicátom pátom 1991 Supraphon · Zálesácká bowle 1988 Supraphon · Mistr Čas 1986 Supraphon · Galaportrét 1985 Panton · Pod liščí skálou 1983 Supraphon · Oheň z dříví eukalyptu 1982 Supraphon · Řidič tvrdý chleba má 1979 Panton · Silnice, řeky, tratě a stezky 1976 Panton · Písně větru z hor 1974 Panton · Hromskej den Zelenáčů (2LP) 1973 Panton · Zelenáči - Greenhorns ´72 1972 Panton · Greenhorns ´71 1971 Panton · LP (special) 1970 Panton · Písně amerického Západu 1970 Panton
What that name means? I know, you smile now, you can explain it. Of course, I know meaning of it too. In our language it's something like green ear, little pheasant, beginner, amateur. Stop, stop, stop. If you listen them, you should change your opinion. Maybe they are everything, but not amateurs – greenhorns. 