Sofka Nikolić (Part 2)

These two beautiful songs were recorded in Serbia in the late 1920's with Sofka and an unnamed Gypsy (Rom) orchestra (possibly Sofka's husbands group). The first side features a lively version of Čuješ Seko with Sofka playing the tambourine. The second track, Zone mori Zone, from the play Zona Zamfirova (Зона Замфирова), based on Serbian author Stevan Sremac's book, is one of my all time favorite songs, and Sofka's intense, powerful interpretation makes this my favorite version as well.

Čuješ Seko

Zone, mori Zone

Donations needed

-UPDATE-

OK, the music files should all be working now. Please let me know if any of the links don't work and I'll fix them.
Thanks.


This is very confusing, but the company that I was using to host my music files, BOXSTR.COM has apparently split into two different companies. One of them told me that my files were gone and that they wouldn't give me a refund - and the other is staying the same and still has all of my mp3s and account information. Since I've already paid I've decided to use them until I can find a better company.


Donations are needed to keep this site going. If you are able to make a contribution, please click the "Donate" button below (or on the left side of the page). Names of donors to this project will go on a permanent list. Thanks so much for your help.

Please Help If You Can

-DONORS-

Before I start a permanent list of people who have given money to this project I want to say thank you to Ted Shatlan who was so kind to send a donation back in August. And thank you to Dragoljub Pokrajac who just made a generous contribution to help me get this going again. You are the first two donors and I just want to tell you that it means so much to have your support. Thank you!

Yugoslavia Tamburaško Društvo (Part 2)

This was one of the greatest tamburitza orchestras to record in the 1920's! Musicians such as Vaso Bukvić, Čira Kozarov, and Vlado Marjanović were already legends when they came to the Yugoslavia Tamb. Društvo of Indiana Harbor, Indiana. The Bukvić brothers, Vaso and Mirko, were part of the original Banat Tamburitza Orchestra founded by Zdravko Jezdimir in 1912. Also in 1912, the amazing primaš and tenor Vlado Marjanović was making his famous recordings with Drago Ilkić for the Columbia recording studios. In 1917 Čira Kozarov joined Vaso Bukvich and Zdravko Jezdimir to make a number of recordings for RCA-Victor with the Srpski muški kvintet, a renowned tamburitza orchestra directed by Sandor Huszar. Some of these incredibly talented musicians would go on to form this group, The Yugoslavia Tamburaško Društvo, in the early 1920's.

About the songs: The first track, Komitska Pesma, an early version of the patriotic song Spremte Se Spremte Četnici, dates back to 1908 when guerillas fought valliantly under the command of Vojvoda Jovan Babunski (pictured at right) against Turkish troops at the battle of Drenova, in Macedonia. This song became very popular in the United States after WWI and tamburitza legend Dušan Jovanović recorded his own version in November of 1925 for the Columbia record label in New York. With the onset of WWII Spremte Se Spremte was popularized again by such greats as Edo Ljubić, who recorded it on July 30, 1942 for RCA-Victor, and Raša Radenković and Mirko Marković who recorded a version for the Sonart label. This track was recorded on July 23, 1924 in Richmond, Indiana and features lead vocals by Vaso Bukvić.

The second track, Prošetaj Lelo (better known as Čini ne čini), doesn't need much introduction. Written by the famous Serbian composer Stanislav Binički, this song was extremely popular and was performed and recorded by countless orchestras and choirs in Europe and the U.S.A. This track was recorded on July 23, 1924 and features vocals by Čira Kozarov.

I'm so grateful to my friend Milan Opacich for giving me this rare treasure! Thanks Milan!

Komitska Pesma

Prošetaj Lelo

Jorgovan Tamburitza Orchestra (Part 4)

Here is another great old record by the Jorgovan Tamburitza Orchestra featuring Ilija Mišković, Djoko Dokić, Nikola Plavsić, Todor Petrović, and Mirko Kolesar. These two tracks were recorded in New York on June 24, 1926.

Kolo Branka Radičevića Sa pesmom

Sa tog polja Bojnog

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-Updated Record-

I've updated the Jorgovan (Part 2) post with a better copy of Columbia 23035-F. I've posted it here as well...

Niko Nema Što Srbin Imade

Stari Guslar

Budučnost Tamburitza Orchestra

Here are three great records featuring Tamburitza Orchestra "Budučnost" of Detroit, Michigan, recorded in the 1940's for the Zora Record Co.

Ja Sam Svome Loli

Mara Djevojka


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Mene Majka Daje
Svu Noč Mi Soko Propjeva


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Volim Soju
Kletva

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Cig. Kap. Sava Milković (1)/ Members of National Theater in Belgrade (2)

The two sides of this record are by different performers. First is a very interesting and beautiful song with a heavy Romanian slant performed by Sava Milković and his gypsy orchestra from the Braničevo District of Serbia. The energy in this performance is incredible.

Side two features actors from the National Theater of Belgrade performing a scene from the play "Đido, slika iz seoskog života u pet činova s pevanjem" (Djido, pictures from village life in five parts with singing) by Janko Veselinović. Performing here are Žanka Stokić, Teodora Arsenović, Aleksander Zlatković, and Milorad Dušanović

Srbi Vole Jer Su Lole

Djido I. čin - Maksim

Srpsko Pevačko Društvo iz Lebanona, PA

This truly amazing choir came from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and was directed by Dr. Johann M. Blose. The first recording is a beautiful rendition of Čini Ne Čini by legendary composer Stanislav Binički. Side two features the upbeat composition Srpkinja by another famous Serbian composer, Isidor Bajić. This choir traveled to New York to make these recordings in February of 1931.

Čini Ne Čini

Srpkinja, Narodna Igra sa Pevanjem

Muzika Kraljeve Garde (1920's)

This record features Serbia's premier military band, the King's Guard Orchestra, performing a beautiful instrumental medley of popular folk songs. The arrangement is by F.Sedlaček.

Potpuri što svaki peva - I.deo
Potpuri što svaki peva - II.deo

Banat Tamburitza Orchestra (1920's)

Here are two beautiful old patriotic songs recorded in the 1920's by the Banat Tamburitza Orchestra. The first song, Onam' Onamo, was written in 1867 by Montenegrin King Nikola I and became the unofficial national anthem of Montenegro. The second song, Rado Ide Srbin U Vojnike, was written by Josif Runjanin, a Serb composer from Vinkovci, a part of the Slavonian Krajina in modern day Croatia. Runjanin is probably most famous for composing the music, but not the lyrics, to another famous patriotic song that would become the Croatian national anthem, Lijepa naša domovina.

Onam' Onamo

Rado Ide Srbin U Vojnike

Pajo B. Šantić

These two great oldies were recorded in March of 1925, in New York.

Srem, Banat i Bačka
Kraj Vardara

Neven Tamburitza Orchestra (Dir. Nick Kosanovich)

These six beautiful tracks were recorded by Neven Tamburitza Orchestra of S.S. Pittsburgh, PA, under the direction of Nick Kosanovich, and feature vocalist Desa Beatovich Sarapa.

Petli Poje - Aj Jedva Cekam
Golubice Bela

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Aj Kolika Je U Prijedoru Carsija
Oj Jovane - Kolo

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Gledaj Me Draga
Tesko Je Ljubit Tajno

Brata Latkovich Tamburitza Orchestra (1930)

This is another of my favorites! These two tracks were recorded in New York by the Brata Latkovich Tamburitza Orchestra in 1930.

I Moja Mi Kaže Nana

Žašto Si Se Udala

Vlado Konstantinović (1912)

Here's a very early recording of baritone singer Vlado Konstantinović featuring the beautiful solo tambura accompaniment of Andras Tavić . This is the other side of the first record in the previous post with the song "Pesmu ti pevam" by Vlado Marjanović and Drago Ilkić. It's interesting that Drago Ilkić recorded a version of "Pesmu ti pevam" with Andras Tavić on June 18, 1912, the day before he recorded the same song with Vlado Marjanović. This song, Pitaš mene, was also recorded on June 18, 1912.

Many years later, Joe Marmilich and his Tamburitzans recorded an absolutely beautiful version of Pitaš mene for the Marjon record company. I'll post that LP sometime too.

Pitaš mene

Vlado Marjanović and Drago Ilkić (1912)

Decades before Rasha & Mirko, there was another unique tamburitza duo performing and recording here in the USA known as Marjanović & Ilkić. Vlado Marjanović was a brilliant primaš and tenor, who's fast, intricate style of playing contrasted beautifully with Drago Ilkić's steady rhythm and baritone vocals. Marjanović went on to play with many of the great early tamburaši, including Vaso Bukvich and the "Yugoslavia" Tamb. Društvo, and was a major influence on later musicians. In songs like "Otvori mi Mile pile vrata" and "Kad bi ove ružu male", or even the opening notes of "Pesmu ti pevam", you can hear the profound impact that Vlado Marjanović had on another legendary primaš and tenor, Marko Popovich. It's sad that great musicians like these can just disappear into obscurity. Vlado Marjanović & Drago Ilkić are two musicians who deserve to be remembered.

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One of my favorite things about this first track "Pesmu ti pevam" is the second half when they sing a duet of "Čergo moja čergice". I've only included one side of the first record because the second side is by another musician, Vlado Konstantinović, and I'll post that next.

The second track here, "Otvori mi Mile pile vrata", ends with one of the greatest versions of a Kokonjeste that I've ever heard! You can really get a sense of Vlado Marjanović's intense and unique style from this recording.

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All of these songs were recorded in New York between June 14 and June 28, 1912.

Pesmu ti pevam

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Otvori mi Mile pile vrata

Kad bi ove ruže male

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Misli moje
Ančice dušice

Popovich Brothers Tamburitza Orchestra

There's something absolutely magical about the sound of an orchestra made up of family members. Whether you're talking about groups comprised of brothers, sisters, parents and their children, or even whole extended families like many of the old orchestras from Europe, there's a certain level of togetherness that only blood relations can achieve. There are a very special few of these tamburitza orchestras who have the ability to evoke indescribable feelings and emotions with the simple mention of their name. Whenever I hear the word "tamburitza", I think of the Popovich brothers. Starting young in the 1920's, they continued performing together clear into the new millennium, defining tamburitza for generations of Americans in the process.

With any traditional art form it's extremely important to know where you come from, and the Popovich brothers were living libraries of knowledge about their art form, tamburitza. They knew everything about the history of the Serbian music and culture, the songs and dances, the musicians who came before them, and the old recordings. Along with this deep knowledge and appreciation came the raw, creative talent to transform it all into something completely unique and their own, traditional yet timeless. When you listen to the Popovich brothers play you can hear the love they had for the music in every single note.

This record is possibly their oldest, and except for the youthful voices, their style of playing is just the same as in later years. Timeless!

Check out This great page about The Popovich Brothers by "Baba Mim" Bizic for lots of great history, photos, and links.

And visit Balkan Records if you want to purchase digitally remastered Cd's and live recordings of The Popovich Brothers and many more tamburitza orchestras.

Zlatna Grivna

Razbila Se Casa

Šule Radosavljević-Šapčanin

Šule Radosavljević-Šapčanin's orchestra is one of those great gypsy groups that make you want to get up and start dancing...even if you don't know how. One of the great things about these tracks is the intense, lively kolo dances that follow each and every song. The combination of flawless and beautiful musicianship, with unique and passionate group vocals, make these recordings something truly special. These four were recorded in Serbia in 1927.

Sokolska pesma i kolo
Jeleno Momo Jeleno

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Click the song titles to hear the tracks below...

Šule Radosavljević - Šapčanin

- sa svojom kapelom

• Rujna Zoro (Beautiful Dawn) V-3058-A

• Svu nuc mi soko (All Night The Falcon Sings To Me) V-3058-B

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Tamburasko Drustvo "Balkan"

A Kolo and a Kokonjeste by the Balkan Tamburitza Orchestra.

Slavjanka

Cukaricko-Kokonjesce

Vaso & Mirko Bukvich

Here's another nice record from Vaso & Mirko Bukvich recorded in NY, June 1916.

Premalece

Milkina kuca na kraju

Joca Mimika (part 3)

Here are another two wonderful records by one of my favorite violinists, Joca Mimika. The first record features his famous "Lire" tamburitza orchestra, but on the second record he only has a small tamburitza group of a couple musicians. The last track, "U Ivana gospodara", is somewhat unique for the fact that a small male chorus accompanies them.

Moja nana

Siroce sam

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Jedno momce crna oka

U Ivana gospodara

Music Is Working

I've re-uploaded all of the music and the links should all be working now. Please let me know if any of the links don't work, or if they open the wrong music file.
Thanks.

Srpski Crkveni Tercet (1920's)

Mir Božji, Hristos se rodi!

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Click the photos to listen to the music...

Djeva Dnes...

Roždestvo Hristovo

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Vlado Konstantinovic (1920's)

***HAPPY HOLIDAYS***

Click the photos to hear the music...

Bokaljev San U Americi - Dio.1

Bokaljev San U Americi - Dio.2

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Promisli Se Pa Pij

Na Prestolu Sultan Sedi

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Oj Jablane

Imam Jednu Zelju

Vaso Bukvich (Part 2)

This is just one of many records that Vaso Bukvich made with the "Yugoslavia" Tamburasko Drustvo from Indiana Harbor, Indiana. This was recorded in 1924 in Richmond, Indiana.

Click the photos to listen to the music...

Jedno Jutro Cim Je Zora SvanulaImao Sam Komsinicu

Dusan Jovanovic (Part 3)

Here are eight more records featuring one of the greatest prim players of all time, Dusan Jovanovic. Most of these were recorded with his "ORAO" Tamburitza Orchestra.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Click the photos for the music...

Ljubicica Ne Rasti Na Bregu

Amerikanski Becarac

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Sic Mic MicikaPijemi Se Vince Rujna

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Oj Jedva Cekam Da Subota DodjeKrece Se Ladja Franscuska

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Ti Neznas Sto Je Ljubav

Lopov

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Sedi Boso Gde Si

Varala Me Jedna Cura Mala

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Prosidba U Ameriki

Svadba U Ameriki

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Amerikanac Putuje za Stari KrajU Kraju cu malo bit, povrati cu se u Detroit

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Krstenje U Ameriki-I

Krstenje U Ameriki-II

Milan G. Pancevac (1920's)

Milan G. Pancevac was an accordion player and singer from Pancevo in Serbia. He went by several stage names, but apparently his real name was Milan Gorcev. His discography shows that he was recording as early as 1927 for the Pellich Music Co. in Richmond, Indiana. Milan went on to make many more recordings of Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Hungarian, Romanian, and German songs and dances for both the Victor and Columbia recording studios. He eventually settled in Cleveland, Ohio (E.33rd Street), where he was married and had several children.

These three records feature Milan both singing and playing the accordion. He had a wonderful, free style and his singing fits his playing perfectly. These were all recorded on June 26, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois.

Click the photos to listen to the music...

Pancevcevo KoloPancevcev Becarac

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Ucime Majko

Zarobljeno Srce Moje

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Bez Zene Je Gorko BitiCela Cura Na Rogal