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Hello everybody.

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.

Last time I advertised Competition.

It hasn't so response as I've waited, but never mind. I thought of it and prepared own list and here it is:

• Rangers
• Jiří Grossmann
• Taxmeni
• Fešáci
• Waldemar Matuška

.

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.


Rangers


Jiří Grossmann


Taxmeni


Fešáci


Waldemar Matuška

Waldemar Matuska IV

On Saturday, the country world lost one of his members, the famous and memorable singer Waldemar Matuška.

He won recognition by his low and flannelly voice. Death cause was pneumonia and heart failure. He died on Florida, May 30, 2009, aged 76.

His success in 60-teen became with song Suvenir. As one czechoslovak agency wrote about him: "he has hoodlumy sex appeal, beard, evil-eyes and sparkle by energy, he was oposite of his show-business college Karel Gott". And Waldemar said: " I m type of vagabond, tramp and singers".

Maybe it is destiny, but this weekend I was on one country action. Some friends met, played guitar, sang. We played many songs of him. It was shock to came home on Sunday evening and got to hear that bad news.



Quit Quittin


Quit Quittin

Waldemar, Walda, will always of my heard. For ever.

Waldemar Matuska III

     Many his songs became popular and most of them I have on LP or single. I listen them as small child and maybe I was one of his youngest fans. I have still photo album with all news and photos of him. And also singles and albums. Maybe thanks him I prefer men with beard. :o)

I remember that day, when my mother brought news and said: “See there, Walda emigrated to US. Listen his LP Osm lásek, what there he said:” And I wasn’t able to understand why? He was popular, he had many possibilities to travel abroad. I was his fan so much. I switched on LP and listened what he said: Sometimes people ask me, if whether I would like to go visit US. Well I would go and in the moment again back. I prefer this my land.” I was so young, maybe I wasn’t able to understand all reasons. From that time I listened his songs many time but something was broken inside of me.

When he returned after Velvet Revolution, I saw other man. I know, nobody can be still young. He looked like broken and ill old man, without that sparks in his eyes, without charm smile. There was different person. It’s a pity, but I like to sing his songs henceforward and when I sing them, Matuska still looks like I remember him (before his leaving). I wish him so many happiness, much health and good luck.

Discography:
1965 – Zpívá Waldemar Matuška
1967 – Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky

1967 – Waldemar Matuška
1971 – Lidové písně z celého světa

1971 – Waldemar Matuška 1966 / (CD r.v.1990)
1971 – Jo ho ho - Waldemar Matuška zpívá písně o moři
1973 – Láska nebeská
1974 – Johoho (reedition)
1975 – Kluci do nepohody
1977 – Co děláš, to dělej rád
1980 – Suvenýr - Waldemar Matuška a jeho 12 nej...
1980 – Suvenýr
1982 – Waldemar
1985 – The Country Door Is Always Open
1990 – Waldemar Matuška (1966-1971)
1990 – Waldemar a Olga – Niagara
1991 – Co neodnesl čas
1996 – Waldemar - Lidové písně z celého světa + 10x Bonus
1996 – Nebeskej kovboj + 8x Bonus
1996 – Sbohem, lásko + 8x Bonus

1997 – Jo ho ho + 8x Bonus
1997 – Waldemar Matuška a Jeho 23 suvenýrů
1997 – Jsem svým pánem + 6x Bonus
1997 – Láska nebeská (reedition CD)
1998 – To všechno odnes čas
1999 – Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky + 7x Bonus
1999 – Síň slávy (cd 1)
1999 – Síň slávy (cd 2)
2000 – Kluci do nepohody (reedition)
2000 – Portrét hvězd – Waldemar Matuška
2000 – S čertem si hrát (with Eva Pilarová)
2000 – To nejlepší
2001 – Suvenýr (reedition)
2002 – Co neodnesl čas (Největší TV hity)
2007 – Slávik z Madridu (Největší hity)


Albums recorded in US:
Teče voda, teče
Niagara
Merry Christmas

Filmography:
1960 – Sedmý kontinent
1963 – Der Andere neben dir
1964 – Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera

1964 – Kdyby tisíc klarinetů

1966 – Dýmky
1966 – Fantom Morrisvillu
1966 – Revue v mlze
1966 – Smrt zo oponou
1967 – Tajemství Viléma Storitze
1967 – Hotel pro cizince
1967 – Ta naše písnička česká
1967 – 1968 – Píseň pro Rudlofa III
1968 – Všichni dobrí rodáci
1971 – Kam slunce nechodí
1973 – Noc na Karlštejne

1977 – Talíře nad Velkým Malíkovem
1980 – Trhák

2004 – Český Woodstock

Čert ví


Santa Lucia


Santiano


Hříšník a fláma

Waldemar Matuska II

     In Czechoslovakia, there was very popular competition named Zlatý slavík (Golden Warbler). Waldemar won it twice, in 1962 and 1987, and few times he was on second position.

His popularity grew up.

As he said one time, he had never acted, but life brought him these experiences and he created unforgettable characters in various movies (Patrik in Kdyby tisíc klarinetů – 1964, Kojot Kid in Limonádový Joe – 1964, Cyprian ambassador in Noc na Karlštejne – 1973) and in serials (Píseň pro Rudolfa III, etc.).

He left with Eva Pilarová Semafor and started in theatre Rokoko and here he was actor of dramas named Labyrint světa, Drak je drak, Filosofova historie and recitals Rokokokoktejl and Osm lásek Waldemara Matušky. Eva Pilarová very early returned to Semafor, but Waldemar got new partners. He sang with Marta Kubišová, Helena Vondráčková, Karel Gott, Jitka Zelenková, Hana Hegerová, Václav Neckář, etc.). From this period are hit such as To se nikdo nedoví, Tisíc mil, Úžasná láska and Jen se s písničkou smát (all with Helena Vondráčková), Červencové ráno, Nech tu lásku spát, Píseň za paddle,Víc nechtěl by snad ani D’Artagnan and Píseň Ofélie (all with Marta Kubišová), Tak aby ste to vědela (with Hana Hegerová), Mám malý stan (with Karel Štedrý), Co z toho mám(with Karel Gott).

1970’s came and Waldemar brought hit by hit. It was for example Jó třešně zrály, Růže z Texasu, Sedm dostavníků, Mrholí, Kladivo, Divoké koně, Píseň pro Kristínku, Buď pořád se mnou, Slávici z Madridu, Sbohem lásko, Už koníček pádí, Pojď se mnou lásko má, Tuhle rundu platím já.

In the beginning of 70’s he sang folksongs and he release album Waldemar Matuška zpívá lidové písně z celého světa, from folksong from various countries of the world. In this time also was recorded album with marine evergreens Johoho (most popular songs were Má láska je za velkou louží, Námořníckej bál, Santiano, Hříšník a fláma, Čas chvátá, Kvetou lípy).

In Rokoko he had met his love Olga Blechova, who sang with him hits such as Míle, Vítr to ví, Žít jen žít. In 1976 he married Olga. They sang together from that time to today.

From period in turning point 60 and 70-teen, Waldemar had hits Krysař, Ráno, Bůh ví odkud já tuhle písničku znám, Až se můj čas ponachýlí, Asi do věží, etc.

He presented himself on different festivals and competitions, such as Bratislavská Lýra (He was on the first position with song Pláňka and few years on third position with songs To se nikdo nedoví, Don diri don, Už modrej činžák zhas), Dečínska kotva, Zlatý klíč.

In 1976 he with Olga came to music band K.T.O. (Kamarádi Táborových Ohňů – Friends of Campfires). From this period came many famous songs, for example Co děláš to dělej ríd, Kluci do nepohody, Jezebel Jen se hádej, Má co chtěla, Léta pádí, Tam nad tou hrází, Září bílej sníh, etc.

His popularity in Czechoslovakia was so high; it gave him chance to have concerts abroad (UK, India, Iraq, Kuvajt, Cuba, US, Canada). He took this chance and in 1986 he left Czechoslovakia and emigrated to US. He stayed in Saint Petersburg, Florida and there he lives up to this day.

Communist prohibited to play his songs and stopped to release his album Jsem svým pánem.

He received US nationality. He showed for fellow-countrymen in US and recorded other albums.

After Velvet Revolution in 1898 he came back and had more concerts. His songs are still popular.

He is still living in Florida and at times he visit Czech Republic. Matuška songs were so popular and evidence thereof is establish of Waldemar Matuška Revival Band.

Píseň pro Kristínku


Ach, ta láska nebeská


Po starých zámeckých schodech


Harfa

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