Deeper Polka: More Dance Music From the Midwest

by DEEPER POLKA: MORE DANCE MUSIC

Overview

The sequel to the Smithsonian Folkways Deep Polka compilation is -- unusually for sequels -- more interesting than its predecessor, as it contains a broader stylistic and regional diversity of American polka. No recording dates are given, but it seems likely that most or all of it was done very shortly before the collection's 2002 release date. Seven bands get three or four songs apiece, representing various strains of polka: Chicago Polish-American (Stan Golonka & the Chicago Masters), Pittsburgh Croatian-American (Jerry Grcevich), Nebraska Czech-American (the Mark Vhlidal Band), Cleveland Slovenian-American (Nancy Hlad), Minnesota Finnish-American (Al Reko & Oren Tikkanen), Wisconsin concertina (Brian & the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen), and Wisconsin Norwegian "polkabilly" (the Goose Island Ramblers). It does prove the back sleeve's proclamation that not all polka sounds alike, though some of it will please individual tastes more than others. Grcevich's tamburitza music stands out with a flavor that's slower and more melancholy than much polka, and Reko & Tikkanen bring in elements that many wouldn't associate with the style, like banjo, mandolin, spoons, and pronounced minor-key melodies. Other acts are more in line with upbeat dance polka, with the Goose Island Ramblers blending in hillbilly country, yodels, and old-timey American folk sounds on their outings. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	05/21/2002
Label:	SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS
UPC:	0093074014028

Tracks

1. I Won't Go Home  -  Golonka
2. Iron Casket Oberek  -  Golonka
3. Chicago Is a Polka Town  -  Golonka
4. Return to Me  -  Golonka
5. Vatrogasna Polka and Kada Cujem Tambure (The Fireman's Polka and ...)  - Jerry Grcevich
6. Daj Mi Daj (Allow Me)  - Jerry Grcevich
7. Moja Juliska (My Julie)  - Jerry Grcevich
8. Betty Polka  -  Vyhlidal
9. Red Handkerchief (Cerveny Satecku)  -  Vyhlidal
10. Grandmother's Joy Laendler (Babicina Radost)  -  Vyhlidal
11. Clover in the Woods Polka (Jetelicku V Lese)  -  Vyhlidal
12. Raisin-Nut Polka  - Nany Hlad
13. Anne's Waltz  - Nany Hlad  - Frank Novak
14. Sweet Sixteen Polka  - Nany Hlad
15. Top of the Hill Polka  - Nany Hlad  - Frank Novak
16. J¿¿tk¿¿en Jenkka (The Logger's Schottische)  - Al Reko  - Oren Tikkanen
17. Nujalan Talko Polkka (The Work-Bee at Nujala Polka)  - Al Reko  - Oren Tikkanen
18. Suviy¿¿n Valssi (Midsummer Night Waltz)  - Al Reko  - Oren Tikkanen
19. Lumber-J¿¿kki (The Lumberjack)  - Al Reko  - Oren Tikkanen
20. Muziky Muziky Polka  -  Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen
21. Laughing Concertina  -  Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen
22. Chicago Waltz  -  Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen
23. Julida Polka  -  Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen
24. In Heaven There Is No Beer  -  Goose Island Ramblers
25. There's No Norwegians in Dickeyville  -  Goose Island Ramblers
26. Wendy's Schottische  -  Goose Island Ramblers
27. Swiss Yodel Waltz  -  Goose Island Ramblers

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mark Vyhlidal Band   Primary Artist
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen   Primary Artist
Nany Hlad   Primary Artist
Goose Island Ramblers   Primary Artist
Oren Tikkanen   Primary Artist
Al Reko   Primary Artist
Stas Golonka and the Chicago Masters   Primary Artist
Jerry Grcevich   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Nany Hlad   Composer
Frank Novak   Composer
Carla Borden   Editing
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Jacob Love   Editorial Assistant
Jerry Grcevich   Performer,Composer
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Pete Reiniger   Mastering
Dan Sheehy   Production Supervisor