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Owl Polka
This tune is a good example of the way Czech polka traditions in
America have tended to emphasize fairly elaborate arrangements.
The widespread availability of sheet music for band arrangements
of Czech folk music from the Vitak-Elsnic publishing company of
Chicago helped to establish a tradition of using introductory passages
before the main melody and bridges between the parts of the tune.
The onomatopoetic singing of the owl's hoot is appealing. Performed
by Clete Bellin (piano, vocals), John Widow (trumpet), Joe Jerabek
(tuba), Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion), Bill
Jerabek (drums, vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)
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Little Vagabond Waltz
The little vagabond in this song seems to be a personification of
a wandering or unfaithful heart who jilted a village girl. Performed
by Clete Bellin (piano), John Widow (trumpet), Joe Jerabek (tuba),
Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion), Bill Jerabek (drums,
vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)
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Around the Moon
This polka features lyrics in Czech and English which refers to a
folk weather belief important to Czech farmers in the Old World and
the New.
Performed by Clete Bellin (piano, vocals), John Widow (trumpet), Joe
Jerabek (tuba), Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion),
Bill Jerabek (drums, vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)
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