Country and Folk Music

Blog about history of country and folk music.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Fesaci

Fešáci     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.

Saloon Fešáků     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.

Fešáci 2000     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

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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Greenhorns


Greenhorns     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




Zatracenej Život


Blízko Little Big Hornu


Oranžový Expres


Rovnou, tady Rovnou

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

King of Czech Country Scene - Michal Tučný


Michal TučnýHe was famous Czech Country singer. He was born in Prague in January 11, 1947. He served out as seller in 1965.

He started to play as small child, first at piano, than on guitar and drums. First time he presented in 1967, on Festival Porta. He played there as guest of Rangers, with song Whispering Pines of Johnny Horton. He won. His cooperation with group Rangers was short, only a few months and next year he came with new group Rivals. He had still sang in English.

Breakpoint came with his arrival to Greenhorns, where Honza Vyčítal advised him to sing in Czech. From their cooperation originate hits like Folsom Prison Blues, El Paso (duet with Tomáš Linka), Red River Valley, Little Big Horn, etc.

In 1974 he stopped cooperation with Greenhorns. With Tomáš Linka and Petr Novotný established music group Fešáci. Many famous hits came especially from this period (Prodavač, Já tajně cvičím,Dávej vinu dálkám or Sundej z hodin závaží)

Everything finished in 1980. After short time he came back with his own group Tučňáci and with total new repertory. First album (Last cowboy) has hits as Poslední kovboj, Báječná ženská,Modrá z džín, Pověste ho vejš, Tam u nebeských bran or Koukám, jak celá země vstává. His success embodies in good cooperation with famous songwriter Zdeňek Rytíř and it evolved in next years.

Year 1983 brought album with American Country singer
Rattlesnake Annie
.

In the end of 80-tieth started his health problems. These problems were reason, why he disembody group Tučňáci.

From this time he only cooperated with amateurish or semi-professional groups (Weekend, Pavlína Jíšova, etc.).

In 1994 he decided to cooperate with group President, but unfortunately it was so late. In 1995, March 10 he died his life in consequence of malign disease.

In his person, we lost the king of the Czech Country. His strength of interpretation wasn’t only in his voice quality, but in his heart, because hearth was in his every song.




Tam u nebeských bran


Poslední kovboj

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