Andrea Gerak Music

In stores in Israel: Mother Tongue album by Effi Shoshani

2011-03-08T22:25:00.007+01:00

We are very glad to announce that Israeli composer Effi Shoshani released a long awaited world music album, Mother Tongue, with the country's leading record label Helicon. Seven female singers (who all happen to be mothers) from seven countries each sing a folk song from their homelands, arranged with the wonderfully soothing Effi Shoshani sound. It's a special honor that Andrea has two songs on the album.

"I met Effi and his beautiful wife a good couple of years ago when they, just by chance, heard me singing in a park here in Budapest. They got my first acapella CD Madárka, Madárka, and a few months later Effi sent me an email. He said he has made some music to one of the songs from my CD, showed it to his friends who were amazed, and asked me very respectfully if he could send it to me to have a listen.

I never forget the moment when I received the CD with the song on it, put it on at a net café - and I began to fly... It was the song Lonely Is The Bird.

That's how our working relationship started. And that was one song that opened a new path for me as a singer."

Read what Effi Shoshani has to say about it on his website

Mother Tongue track list:

1. Trollmors Song - Sarah Nebel (Elisabeth Endresen) (Norway) 6:45
2. Oh Love Love - Karolina Kamberska (Czech Republic) 6:36
3. Stars In A Bucket -Maya Avraham (Israel) 6:30
4. Lonely is The Bird - Andrea Gerak (Hungary) 5:08
5. Ninna Nanna A Aette E Venti - Patrizia Deitos (Italy) 6:17
6. Oh, Varmeland - Mimmi Siegel (Sweden) 5:23
7. There Is No Greater Sadness - Andrea Gerak (Hungary) 8:18
8. If only I wouldn't love you - Shain Zakeim (Persia) 7:18

9. Bonus Track –
A Chant in the Lobby \ Oh Love Love - Karolina Kamberska 7:39

Released as a Womens Day gift, on the 8th of March 2011 in Israel, and the album will be available in Europe and worldwide as well.

www.andreagerak.com

New website - upcoming concerts

2011-03-01T23:54:00.004+01:00

We are re-designing www.andreagerak.com, thanks to the fantastic team of HostBaby, the web hosting provider for Andrea Gerak's official website. It is already up and running with the new style, new feeling and more functions - happy surfing!

Visiting the website, you will see immediately that Andrea's concert calendar has a few upcoming dates:

Saturday, March 5th, 18:00
Vörösrák (Red Crab) Restaurant, Eger (HU)
Csango Benefit Dinner
12. Kossuth Lajos str.

Friday, April 22nd, 17:00
City Hall, Miskolc (HU)
Panorama World Club

Sunday, June 19th, 19:00
Sibiu (RO)
Hungaricum Weekend
Andrea Gerak & Zoltan Lantos (violin)

Sunday, July 3rd,
Balatonlelle (HU)
World Reunion of Hungarians

Sunday, July 10th, 12:00
Csattogó Völgy/Valley, Verőce (HU)
Erdélyország az én hazám - Transylvania Is My Homeland
World Reunion of Hungarians from Transylvania

For details and updates on these concerts and other upcoming shows, see the Calendar

Andrea and the musicians are looking forward to see you soon!

www.andreagerak.com

Grooved Pavement World Music Radio Show

2011-01-23T21:38:00.004+01:00

Listen to the Grooved Pavement World Music Radio Show, Friday, January 21st, which featured a song from Andrea Gerak's acapella album This Way, Sweetheart!

The show airs on Fridays on WMUA 91.1 from 12:00 to 2:30 pm EST. If you don't live within the broadcast range, you can stream it live through iTunes. Just go to iTunes, click on "Radio" and search for WMUA in the "College / University" and "Eclectic" sections.
Check out more shows at www.wmua.org (Broadcasting from University of Massachusets-Amherst)

Listen to a podcast of the show at Ishah 'El theatre arts, click on the flash player at the beginning of the post/ playlist and enjoy!

All the songs of the album:

www.andreagerak.com

Birthday poem

2011-01-16T21:16:00.008+01:00

Andrea's Birthday poem: I Belong

Andrea Gerak - Beata Salamon duo

2011-01-13T15:39:00.000+01:00

Two Hungarian girls, with two voices and a fiddle - plus sometimes a little boy with a fiddle, Beata's very talented 12-year-old son, Akos...

Beata Salamon fiddler founded her band Méta in 1983.

1985 - : She is a folk violin teacher. She also taught at several dance house players' courses, other courses abroad, folk music camps and at their own Méta folk music camp. She has been the folk-violin teacher at the Pikéthy Tibor Music High School in Vác since 2004.

She travelled all around the world with her group Méta. They have published 9 CDs so far. She also appears on plenty of albums together with other folk musicians.
She takes part in the composition of the Hungarian National Curriculum.

Her book A Collection of Hungarian Folk Tunes for Student of the Violin was published by the House of Traditions in 2004.
The book has filled a great gap in Hungarian folk teaching. It covers six different dance house topics with around 300 tunes with bass and viola accompaniment.
She also works as a freelance notes transcriber with the computer programme Finale.

She arranged music for the CDs of Csík Band, Parno Graszt Band, Gönczöl Band, Vándor Vocal Group, , Mariann Majorosi folk singer and many others.

You can find Beata's name on blues, beat, pop, jazz and contemporary albums, too.

Some of her references:

MÉTA Band
Hungarian National Folk Dance Group
Fiddles on Fire Tour - May 2005, England
Arnie Somogyi - Improvokation - an English-Hungarian jazz formation
Kormorán Memory Band
Attila Korom
Tibor Bornai - albums, performances
Ultramarin
Magony Strings - Kovács Ferenc
" Bűvölet" - a pop CD by NOX
"Naplegenda" - Nikola Parov
Heavy Méta
Balkan Fanatik
Beata's favorite melody, a Romanian dance from Bontida (Transylvania):

Book Andrea Gerak & Beata Salamon >>>

3+1 Highlights of 2010

2010-12-22T20:39:00.025+01:00

Happy Holidays and a Great, Prosperous New Year!
A few highlights of 2010 from around Andrea Gerak's house:

- Duo with Zoltan Lantos (violin virtuoso)
- Brugge-Bucharest Express: international music&photography show, presented at Brugges Festival in November
- This Way, Sweetheart! CD

And the +1: after wondering about in Europe for the past more than 10 years, a few weeks ago Andrea moved back to her little home country, Hungary :-)

http://www.andreagerak.com/

This Way, Sweetheart! CD offer

2010-12-01T12:31:00.020+01:00

<a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/album/erre-gyere-r-zs-m-this-way-sweetheart">Jaj, de sokat áztam-fáztam (Yay, I've Been Freezing) by Andrea Gerak</a>

Order one or more CDs, and along with your signed copy, get a small, personal surprise from Andrea in the mail.

You will also get a download code so that you can immediately enjoy the songs in your MP3 player, iPod or whatever you prefer, while waiting the mail to arrive.

You tell the price, what the whole thing is worth to you. (8,- USD, incl. shipping)

And if this is still not good enough: we have now a SPECIAL OFFER: the next 1000 customers (starting from 2010 November 22) can download the album Lonely Is The Bird album as a gift.

Andrea recommends:

All I wanted with this CD was to try and see how can one communicate through these old songs, in their purest simplicity. No fancy effects, no lines recorded twenty times - just as you were here with me and I would sing for you, all the things I have to say.

Feelings of love, happiness, joy, sorrow and longing were the same hundred years ago as they are today..." - Andrea Gerak

What listeners say:

"It was a very daring attempt to make such a long voice only album... It was worth to do it!!" - L. Z. (Photographer, Hungary)

"I just want to thank you again to let me enjoy your beautiful voice, so pure, on your cd with all those nice tunes. Although I can't understand what you are singing I do understand the feelings. And I like your fast voice vibrato so much." - Luc Callaert (Singer, Belgium)

GET ALBUM FROM HERE

www.andreagerak.com

After Brugges Festival

2010-11-25T12:53:00.009+01:00

The Hungarian singer is the vocalist of Brugge-Bucharest Express, an international production, led by Belgian composer Wouter Vandenabeele, which had its premier at Brugges Festival, in November 2010.

"Andrea Gerak singer excelled in her Hungarian songs as well as in vocalized parts, with her driving personality." Full review (in Dutch, use a translator)

What listeners say: "We were there Thursday night and everyone in the family liked it! It was moving to see how each musician played with dedication and obvious enjoyment, and the singer with her enchanting voice brought Transylvania a little closer to Flanders ... Will there be a CD of this music??"

Photos on Facebook (rehearsals and other backstage moments)

The artists:

Hans Roels (BE) - photos, concept
Wouter Vandenabeele (BE) - violin, concept, music, band leader
Andrea Gerak (HU) - vocals
Lotte Remmen (BE) - violin
Marcel Ramba (RO) - violin, music
Nicolas Hazeur (BE) - violin
Luc De Gezelle (BE) - violin
Florejan Verscheuren (BE) - piano
Frederik Heirman (BE) - trombone
Relu Merisan (RO-FR) - cimbalom (hammered dulcimer)
Arne Van Dongen (BE) - double bass
http://www.andreagerak.com/

Andrea Gerak - Zoltan Lantos duo

2010-09-24T14:26:00.008+02:00

Andrea Gerak and Zoltan Lantos present their duo
on the 27th of October 2010, at IF Café, Budapest IX., 19 Ráday str.

"The Hungarian voice that will keep one excited. Without fear, she experiments with traditional subjects, mainly with those coming from her country, approaching them from different angles. Nothing resists her; neither new age, nor world fusion, nor a cappella interpretations..." - Sobre Las Aireadas Olas

In many corners of the world, the name and of course, first of all the voice of Budapest and Stockholm based Andrea Gerak equals Hungarian folk song. With Irish, Turkish, Bulgarian and other folk songs, she takes the listener to other lands as well, even to such exotic places as the Solomon Islands.

Performing solo, with music or acapella, she mesmerizes the audience as well as in duo or accompanied by a full band.

Zoltan Lantos is a violinist who is at home in musical cultures from across the globe - but has forged a sonic language all his own, using Hungarian and Classical traditions, Eastern music and modern European jazz.

He is part of several international projects, beside performing solo, with electronic sound. Lantos' musical identity, as a violin player, is rooted in the traditions of his native Hungary. At the same time, it is deeply influenced by Indian music and other Eastern traditions, all embedded in a whirlpool of electronics, ambient textures and live looping. Sometimes contemplative, sometimes pulsing with fiery dance rhythms, his compositions and improvisations echo the music of his homeland, as well as the vast musical experiences he came across his way. Over the years, Lantos' musical voyage has brought him together with many great artists on stage and in the studio. But equally important were his numerous meetings with lesser known folk and ritual musicians, in the caves of Granada, the deserts of Rajasthan, the age-old Buddhist monasteries of the Himalayas, and remote Bulgarian weddings.

Upcoming dates
Book Andrea Gerak & Zoltan Lantos

The Queen of the Gypsies - Esma Redzepova

2010-09-04T13:31:00.005+02:00

Concert review by Andrea Gerak

A few weeks ago in August, Stockholm had its yearly Kulturfestival, which is one of the greatest things here, with free events around the town. One of them was The Gypsy Queens & Kings with the Mahala Rai Banda, just in front of the Opera House.

And the Queen of Queens (well, I would say The Queen of Gypsies, for she was the only one from all the female performers to deserve this title, in my humble opinion): Esma Redzepova.

There could be pages and pages told about this charismatic lady from Macedonia, please check out her website at www.esma.com.mk

The whole evening with such a powerful, lively show was a real highlight for Stockholm (there should be much more of this kind of concerts, to shake up this cold North a bit...!!!) Let me just give you my personal impressions only about Esma's appearance, in a few words - more I can't find to express it all...

It happened to me.

What is it? Many times when I sing, I can see tears in peoples' eyes, they come to me to tell how grateful they are, what feelings I gave them with my songs - the most fantastic moments for a singer, to see others touched by something you do.

At those moments, I could imagine their states of mind, for I often have the same when I listen to music, I can be very emotional about it. But: it was still not completely real for me how my listeners felt, for I have known this only from instrumental music. I can't recall any singer alive whose voice has ever reached to my heart so deeply that it brought out my tears - and believe me, I have done quite some listening, including some of the biggest names, live...

So now it happened to me.

In the very first song when Esma stepped on the stage (stepped? is that a satisfactory word about a Queen, a real Dame, a phenomenon?), she did it to me. Letting her soul out with that powerful voice penetrated the innermost core of my being, and my feelings and thoughts had to flow out...

What an inspiration...!!! I was flying high the whole evening, and ever since, when I just think of those moments or listen to the recordings I caught with my mobile...

I am not a Gypsy myself, but love their culture, the music and the dances, it's an unbelievably rich source material for me that I try to weave into my performances. Have seen many of their folks singing, dancing and playing, on stage or at parties, but from this moment on, with these three or four songs from Esma, probably a new world opened for me as a singer.

If this is something that I can also give to others (and from the feedback, apparently I can...), this is what I wanna do in my whole life, as long as I am able to.

Thank you so much, Esma, with my greatest respect and admiration!!! Wish you good health and that people of the world can hear you for many, many years to come!

Also in Andrea's Blog (on www.andreagerak.com)

Ibrány Impressions

2010-08-31T10:28:00.006+02:00

Photo gallery (pictures being uploaded continuously) of St Stephen's Day Festivities where Andrea Gerak & Friends gave a hot concert in front of 5000 people in Ibrany, Eastern Hungary.

Andrea says:

"It was an incredible feeling to visit the then village where my family came from and where I have spent many summers in my childhood with my Grandma and cousins. Now, after more than 20 years, Ibrány became a town and its face has changed a lot, with great modern buildings, a very nice, prospering little city - yet I arrived home to my folks, met several relatives and many people who all seemed to be friends with each other. Indeed, the atmosphere during my entire stay was great, very friendly, people enjoying the concerts and other events of the two days.

I can't tell you how it felt to stand on the stage on the 20th of August when after the official celebrations I got to lead all those thousands to sing with me the National Anthem...

At our concert, people were clapping, singing along, moving their bodies - I even got a "dance partner": a Gypsy man was dancing pretty good, right in front of the stage, and Soma, our accordeonist, showed the crowd who was the man, twisting his feet in a lads' dance from Transylvania.

There is too much to talk about the other programs, all the delicious traditional Hungarian food of next day's cooking contest...

Greatest thanks to everyone who organized this event and contributed to it in some way!"

www.andreagerak.com

Back to the family roots

2010-07-26T11:29:00.007+02:00

Summer greetings from Andrea Gerak's house!

Besides enjoying the few sunny days in and around beautiful Stockholm, the days have been busy here: watch out for very exciting new collaborations, the latest acapella album This Way, Sweetheart! soon on CD Baby, iTunes and all the good online stores, and for concerts.

The next, most anticipated show is in Ibrány (Eastern Hungary), for the St Stephen Festivities on the 20th of August.

"For me, this national holiday is the nicest one of the three that we Hungarians have, and I am looking forward to this day very much. This is the town where my family is from (and as far as I know, all the Gerak families in Hungary), I spent a lot of time there as a child with my grandmother, cousins and other relatives. Now when I was invited, I got a bit emotional, for I have not been able to visit the place since the funeral of my Grandma, and if I imagine that I go back there after more than 20 years, and I will be singing on stage for thousands of people, it makes my heart beat faster..." - says Andrea.

Andrea Gerak and Friends will give traditional Hungarian folk music on the city's Open Air Stage, starting at 20:30. (Click on poster for map)

Andrea Gerak and Friends in Szentes (Southern Hungary), 20 Aug 2009
(Csaba Soos - violin, Marton Eri - viola, Balint Tarkany-Kovacs - cimbalom, Akos Lukacs - contrabass)

The singer will be in Hungary for almost ten days around that day, a few further dates are still available. Contact

www.andreagerak.com

Concert review: Elisabeth Kontomanou at Huddinge Jazz 2010

2010-05-31T16:25:00.000+02:00

A short concert review from Andrea Gerak, of jazz singer Elisabeth Kontomanou:

Since my 4 years I have spent in Sweden, one of my greatest experiences was this concert last Saturday: Elisabeth Kontomanou at Huddinge Jazz Festival (Stockholm).

The internationally touring brilliant singer put an outstanding show on the stage, featuring her outstanding vocals conveyed with passion and communication, great stage presence, remarkable musicians and vocalists, songs that gave chills, tears or joy to the audience, making them clapping, tapping, singing along, laughing, or submerging deep in their thoughts and emotions, evoked by the melodies.

A very professional performance and very human in the same time; Elisabeth is a master of keeping contact with the audience in a lovely manner.

Have to mention how respectfully she treated her colleagues on stage: six of them being excellent young talents (three of them in fact her sons!), and despite of that we could witness a few first time performances, such as the opening song, each performer did a great job. Apparently all of them on the stage enjoyed every minute of the show, just as did the audience.

Lead Vocals : Elisabeth Kontomanou
Drums : Donald Kontomanou
Bass : Lars Ekman
Piano : Pelle Karlström
Guitar : Erik Söderlind
Guitar : Joey Belmondo
Backing Vocals : Pixie Jakobsson
Backing Vocals : Christine Sundberg
Special Guest : Gustav Karlström

To get a little taste, open Elisabeth Kontomanu's MySpace and play the songs while looking at the photos.

Also in Andrea's Blog

www.andreagerak.com

Gemerland interview

2010-05-09T13:48:00.003+02:00

Andrea Gerak got invited to the wedding of a Hungarian Big Brother star, along with well known performers, such as Linda Király singer or Edvin Marton violonist; for this occasion Lajos Telek made an interview with her for Gemerland (a magazine in Slovakia)

- You are known as a singer living abroad but who is trying to keep the traditions and heritage of a nation alive. Who have helped you to get folk music know?

- As a little child, it was very natural for us with my girlfriends to sing folk songs while running around in the kindergarten, we were not aware of what kind of songs they were, simply liked them. Later on, in the music school, we would learn solmization and other basics of music theory through folk songs. When I was ten, a class mate of mine invited me to check out folk dance - and I got stuck there. From that on, my life was determined mainly by the years spent at Borsod Folk Dance Ensemble of Kazincbarcika and other groups. I was dancing at the Avas in Miskolc, at Bartók and for a shorter time, at Csepel, in Budapest. Because the folk dancer-folk musician society is a little bit like a big family, everybody knows everybody, the choreographers, instructors, fellow dancers, musicians, singers, dancers of other groups, music records all contributed to my learning of the dances, music, costumes and customs of a village or region.

- I was listening to your recording where the clear singing pairs with crystal clear melodies, one can't spot the Hungarian who lives abroad.

- For me, this is totally natural that if I was born Hungarian, I will remain that in my entire life, no matter where in the world I would end up. Keeping the folklore traditions indeed helps in this - or better to say, we don't have to keep folk songs, folk music as some treasures for the archives, but it is alive in me, alive in us who know them. And today, in the age of the cheap flight tickets and phones, and when one can watch, listen and read Hungarian practically without limits, it is not difficult to keep in touch with those in the home country and the happenings. When one wants to stay Hungarian, distance can't be an excuse for not to.

- It's a pity that we didn't meet in Debrecen, I read excellent reviews on you in different music media, but I hope we'll do.

- From this year on, I am going home more often, more or less regularly, in about every three months, so I also hope we will have a chance to meet in person.

- When can we expect a new album, and didn't you think about having such performers on your album as Ghymes, Katalin Szvorák, Márta Sebestyén, Muzsikás, Zsarátnok, etc?

- I am considering not only one album; one of them is a nice CD version of the digital album Árva Az A Madár (Lonely Is The Bird), the other one is an acapella solo album, with a few other folk songs on it, not only Hungarian ones (note: This Way, Sweetheart! is already released in the meantime). It would be a real honor for me to work with such great names, and there are more on my wish list. The album I have made with Barozda, a Transylvanian band living here in Sweden as well is sold out, we don't have a definite plan to re-publish it. Also, it would be too early to speak about another album idea I have.

- I have read that you managed to get well from a cancer and are on stage again, therefore my question: would you perform for children with cancer?

- This is true, it was not a long time ago. I get involved in benefits relatively often, so I would sing for children with cancer with pleasure, too. And if there is a need for it, I would talk with them and the parents about what helped me to conquer this disease.

- What would you like to achieve in music, in your private life and in life, in general?

- This three areas are pretty much interwoven for me, but I can try to separate them. In music: when I was a little girl, my mother always used to say: "Son, if you have a little mind, you will choose a profession by which you can travel the whole world." I still like this today as a private goal, and there are a lot of places where I would love to go and perform. Now not only so that I can see all those beautiful scenes, but also so that after Márta Sebestyén and a few other excellent Hungarian singers, the world will know a little bit more about the treasures of our nation which is basically just a handful of people. Beyond singing Hungarian and other folk songs in a traditional way, it is also exciting for me to see how can I play around with them a little bit, dress them up in new ways, with the help of my musician friends. In life, I also play on an international field: I would like to share my experiences with as many people as possible, info which they might need to live healthier and happier, physically and mentally as well. Obviously, to do that, I have to be myself in such a shape that I can give tips to others honestly and with certainty. And as a mother, I would love to see that my son will choose a profession where he will be really happy.

- Every singer is happy when their performances are rewarded by thundering applause…

- That's right... As for many other artists, the greatest experience for me is to stand in front of the audience and I can be completely myself through the songs. And it doesn't make any difference how big are the figures: I am trying to give my best to the smallest audience just as well as on a big stage. Beside applause, when they thank me for the nice moments, is also warming for my heart. I am getting feedback in many forms: guestbook entries, a few words on a website, emails, a friendly hug, a smile, a grateful glance... For me, the real happiness in singing is when I can give them something that will move them emotionally, or when it inspires other artists. Singing, humming just for myself, simply when I feel like it, gives me nice moments, too. Not to mention the joy when I have a chance to sing with others!

-How is it to be a Hungarian abroad?

- *It's a mixed feeling. I can see the similarities and the differences, and often it makes me sad - then I am glad that I don't need to be part of the rat race or in petty fights. Other times I am glad to see that Hungarians do certain things much better than others - those times I am trying to benefit from what I have learned at home and share it with my environment. Years ago, in one or two developed, envied Western Europe countries, it happened that people made me feel: I should go back home, but I haven't experienced this for a while. Here in Sweden people are quite okay with this subject, as a Hungarian, I am one of the many immigrants living together. My husband is always saying proudly where is his wife from. I think each Hungarian who is in any contact with non-Hungarians, inside or outside of the borders, is personally responsible for what foreigners think of us as a country or nation.

- One of the Hungarian "Martians" who have immigrated to the United States, wrote in his autobiography: "I have lived many decades here, but the home land is still the home land, I never looked at myself as an American. Don't you miss the smell of Hungarian euphoria?

- I can completely understand him. I will never consider myself Swedish, or American for that matter, should I end up there later. It is one thing where one lives, what are the practical rules, laws and such one is bound to, but another thing is that I take my cultural heritage with myself everywhere. This is a part of my identity. Even the biggest tree can't stay alive without its roots... There is a lot of things I miss from home: my family, countless of friends, with whom I can keep contact much easier now, thanks to the internet, the buzzing cultural life. "Smell of euforia" includes things like Hungarians can get enthusiastic much easier for things they find good - let it be a business model, a life improvement activity or a product - than Scandinavian people. There are a lot of things I can't find here which are very easy to get in Hungary. And of course, I miss some of my favorite food: mákosguba, gesztenyepüré, sztrapacska...

- What would you say to Hungarians in Upper Hungary (=parts of Slovakia with Hungarian inhabitants), when can we see you performing here and what would be your message to our readers?

- I will go to Upper Hungary with great pleasure: a beautiful area, I would love to see more of it than what I have seen so far, and I have dancer friends there. A few concerts are in the making, I can't give details yet, but I will gladly go where they want me for some events: I will be in Borsod for a while, and it is not a big deal to jump over to the other side of the border from there.

To my friends I haven't seen for long, I say it will be very nice to meet again, I was thinking of them a lot, through the years. And I am curious to meet new friends.

And for your readers I would like to say to do their best, individually and in communities as well, so that when they walk in the world and people find out where are they from, they would go: "Aaah, Gömör? That must be a good place, I would like to go there!"

The interview in Hungarian

*Andrea's note: this interview was taken a while ago, today I would answer this question a bit differently.

www.andreagerak.com

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T13:10:00.009+02:00

Andrea Gerak wishes everyone happy Easter with a poem:
Dancing violets
and a little video:

Watch video on YouTube
(The sound quality on the album is better, you should listen to the song here too)

And a bonus: Easter fun :-))

www.andreagerak.com

Salley Gardens video

2010-03-19T13:18:00.006+01:00

Watch video on YouTube and feel free to rate, favorite, comment, subscribe, share...

Credits: Andrea Gerak - vocals, some of the photos, video
Special thanks to Flickerians for more photos:
Darren Larson, nznomad, Big Sky Photography, Janusz Leszczynszki, vgm8383, Griangraf, Kathy McEldowney, theq47, Chad K

<a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/track/salley-gardens">Salley Gardens by Andrea Gerak</a>

Song page on website with more info, lyrics

www.andreagerak.com

Waterwheel

2010-03-13T10:48:00.016+01:00

Listen <a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/track/waterwheel">Waterwheel by Andrea Gerak</a> Download: click on "i"

Another contribution to the Haiti Aid Through Music charity compilation.

World fusion piece from Mariah Parker's debut album Sangria.
Beginning with a bowed bass solo, the fluid tabla in circular 7/8 time takes us flowing around the wheel . Within the Indian tradition, this common meter is called "rupak tal".
Track credits:
Mariah Parker - piano, Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard guitar,
Mindia Devi Klein - bansuri, Kash Killion - bass, Debopriyo Sarkar - tabla, Duru Demetrius - percussion

As a composer and multi-instrumentalist, Mariah Parker’s is an intriguing voice on the world music and jazz scenes. Mariah has performed in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians of note including composer Pauline Oliveros and the late Dumisani Maraire (renowned composer from Zimbabwe).

The celebration of the release of Sangria marks Parker’s debut as a leader, where she seamlessly blends together the considerable talents of her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble.

"Parker and friends blend the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms resulting in first-class world music.” — Latin Beat Magazine

"If Dave Brubeck were doing something with a Latin beat, it would come out sounding like this." — Zone Music Reporter

"This collection of eight original instrumentals by Mariah Parker is just one of many examples of the infusion of East Indian music into Western music, but to my ears one of the most successful." — AudophileAudition

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti, click on "i" <a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/track/waterwheel">Waterwheel by Andrea Gerak</a>

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Purple Raga by Matthew Montfort
Uche by Paul Kwitek
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
Had I Known by The Heavens
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Skimming Stones by Sleepthief
Ochun by Ancient Future
Beli Buba, Beli by Andrea Gerak

<a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/album/haiti-aid-through-music-compilation">One World by Andrea Gerak</a>

Erik Strandh memorial concert at Stampen

2010-02-14T12:47:00.002+01:00

A short concert review from Andrea Gerak:

Is it appropriate to say that one had a great fun at a memorial concert? Because I did, just as all the attendees at the packed Stampen, the famous jazz-blues establishment in Gamla stan (the old town of Stockholm) this afternoon. A few hours (4?) long blues jam session, as a tribute to Erik Strandh pianist who died last Saturday in a heart attack, just after a concert in his hometown Helsingborg with his band Our Thing, at the age of 60.

As I am not too familiar with the blues scene (and not with the music scene in Stockholm in general), I didn't know Erik Strandh; one of my friends, guitarist Thierry Laprevote invited me, who played with him at that last gig...

One of the last performances of Erik Strandh:

This memorial concert was an excellent jam session (hosted by Brian Kramer); countless musicians came to say goodbye to their friend who is now in some other world, but I am sure that all the good vibes from the gig got through to the late pianist and he could hear the music.

I took some photos (had to kneel on a bar chair for about two hours, so that I could see what was going on...)

More pics in my Stockholm photo blog

Contributing musicians: Anders Nystedt, Ivan Jezek, Williams Caroline, Daniel Ramsten, Olle Sjöstedt, Emil Lindroth, Micael Öberg, Brian Kramer, Steve Wadidiz Morris, Miiko Melody, Jon Ben Berger, Thierry Laprevote, Marcelo Nunez, Mats Qwarfordt, Fanny Holm Sickenga - and many others

Also in Andrea's Blog
www.andreagerak.com

Like songs? Make a difference!

2010-01-27T15:20:00.004+01:00

If you like Andrea Gerak songs or other kind of music, and would like to help the people of Haiti hit by the recent earthquakes, here are a few fun ways to do it.

1.
The singer offers her brand new album for charity: download the acapella album This Way, Sweetheart! from BandCamp and any amount paid above $5 for the full album or above $1 for individual tracks, will be donated to the same volunteer organization supported by the Haiti Aid Through Music compilation

<a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/album/erre-gyere-r-zs-m-this-way-sweetheart">Jaj, de sokat áztam-fáztam (Yay, I've Been Freezing) by Andrea Gerak</a>

2.
Download the cross-genre compilation album Haiti Aid Through Music from BandCamp, and 100% of the sales go to volunteer ministers, check out who they are and what they are doing in Haiti

<a href="http://andreagerak.bandcamp.com/album/haiti-aid-through-music-compilation">One World by Andrea Gerak</a>

3.
Buy CDs or download Andrea's other albums, and CD Baby sends $1 from each full album purchase to American Red Cross or Mercy Corps.

Madárka, madárka (Little Birdie) Haunting A Cappella folk songs from various regions of the historical Hungary

Árva az a madár (Lonely Is The Bird) Traditional Hungarian melodies with tunes from the Middle East and Northern Europe, Caribbean rhythms, wrapped in modern technology

Authentic Hungarian Village Music Traditional Hungarian folk, with Transylvanian band Barozda

4. Andrea Gerak is open to perform at fundraising occasions. Contact

www.andreagerak.com

Beli Buba, Beli (acapella)

2010-01-27T13:12:00.004+01:00

Listen to song From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by Andrea Gerak
Traditional Hungarian lullaby from Magyarszovat (Suatu), a village in Transylvania with mostly Hungarian inhabitants
Last song of Andrea's brand new solo album Erre gyere, rózsám! (This Way, Sweetheart!)

"The enigmatic Hungarian female voice" Andrea Gerak experiments with traditional songs, mainly with those coming from her country, approaching them from different angles. In many corners of the world, the name and of course, first of all the voice of Budapest and Stockholm based singer equals Hungarian folk song. With Irish, Turkish, Bulgarian and other folk tunes, she takes the listener to other lands as well, even to such exotic places as the Solomon Islands. Traditional, new age or acapella interpretations: mystery, magic, beauty, supernatural embraced in her timeless songs.

"Enya, Sally Oldfield, Lisa Gerrard, Marta Sebestyen, Katalin Szvorak, Iren Lovasz, Bea Palya, to mention only a few names amongst which Andrea Gerak has a well deserved place." - Instrument and Music Online (Hungarian)

"The Hungarian voice that will keep one excited. Without fear, she experiments with traditional subjects, mainly with those coming from her country, approaching them from different angles. Nothing resists her; neither new age, nor world fusion, nor a cappella interpretations...
Without a doubt, if you like folk music as well as experimental tunes, Andrea Gerak will capture you with her hipnotic vision of music..." - Sobre Las Aireadas Olas

"This artist equals in skills and talent with one of today's most requested voices known from the movie The Gladiator and the band Dead Can Dance... Her name is Lisa Gerrard." - Mortesium

Szöveg / Lyrics

Beli buba, beli, beli, kicsi kutyasággal teli,
Beli buba a párnára, kicsi kutya a szalmára,
Beli buba, beli, beli, kicsi kutyasággal teli,
Beli buba a párnára, kicsi kutya a szalmára,
Aj-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Beli buba, nincsen papa, elment tátá a malomba,
Hazahozza a lisztecskét, abból sütünk perececskét,
Beli buba, beli, beli, kicsi kutyasággal teli,
Beli buba a párnára, kicsi kutya a szalmára,
Aj-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

S a mamája elringassa, szépen álmodozni hagyja,
Álmodj szépet, álmodj jót, aranydiót, mogyorót,
Beli buba, beli, beli, kicsi kutyasággal teli,
Beli buba a párnára, kicsi kutya a szalmára,
Aj-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Beli buba, beli, beli, little mischievous,
Beli buba, onto the pillow, little puppy onto the pallet,
Beli buba, beli, beli, little mischievous,
Beli buba, onto the pillow, little puppy onto the pallet,
Ay-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Beli buba, there's no Papa, he's gone to the mill,
He brings home the flour, we'll bake bretzel with it,
Beli buba, beli, beli, little mischievous,
Beli buba, onto the pillow, little puppy onto the pallet,
Ay-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Her Mama is nestling her, lets her dream away,
Dream nice, dream good, golden walnuts, hazelnuts,
Beli buba, beli, beli, little mischievous,
Beli buba, onto the pillow, little puppy onto the pallet,
Ay-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Purple Raga by Matthew Montfort
Uche by Paul Kwitek
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
Had I Known by The Heavens
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Skimming Stones by Sleepthief
Ochun by Ancient Future

Skimming Stones (Reach The Horizon Mix)

2010-01-26T15:37:00.008+01:00

Listen to song From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by Sleepthief, featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw
Music: Elswick/Hawkshaw
Lyrics: Hawkshaw
Label: Neurodisc/Echotone Records

Sleepthief is the musical creation of songwriter and composer, Justin Elswick. Born and raised in Southern California, Justin developed an appreciation for music and melody as a young child. His parents would frequently listen to artists like Gordon Lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, and The Beach Boys. As a true child of the 80s, Justin grew up under the influence of classic electro and dance acts like Yaz, New Order, Trans –X-, a-ha, Shannon and Exposé. As a “tape mixer” and D.J. in high school, Justin frequently haunted the record stores looking for cutting edge music. Upon first hearing Enya’s “Watermark,” however, Justin’s interest in Celtic, world and ethereal music blossomed.

While finishing up a degree in history at BYU in Provo, Utah, Justin began writing music on a newly purchased keyboard. After graduating, Justin moved to Ireland where he continued writing music under the influence of that country’s beautiful landscapes and history while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Trinity College. The songs continued to spring to life as Justin returned to the United States for law school. After obtaining his law degree from BYU and working as an attorney for several years, Justin teamed up with engineer and producer Israel Curtis to put the finishing touches on Sleepthief’s debut album, “The Dawnseeker.” Justin signed a record deal with Florida-based label Neurodisc for the release of “The Dawnseeker” in June 2006.

Featuring such acclaimed female vocalists as Kirsty Hawkshaw, Kristy Thirsk, Caroline Lavelle, and Nicola Hitchcock, “The Dawnseeker” quickly attracted a broad fan base from around the world. Described by critics as “lush,” “cinematic” and “emotional,” “The Dawnseeker” has become a perennial favorite of fans of ethereal female vocals as well as general listeners.

Lyrics:

All I want is to reach the horizon
Where these skimming stones go on forever
For as they sink, I sink with them
Just to hold your hand right now
Would be all that I know

And I'll take you down
To the depths of my soul

I'd sink in that bliss, in that oneness
Lord I still don't really know how to love you
The way you love me... I don't feel worthy
And I envy the eyes of those who do

Lord I don't know, the way you love me

And if I knew it then, somehow I'd remember
That trust, that openness, I would make true decisions
Walking straight ahead
Instead of following directions
Out of line to the left or right
In the arms of a lover

In an endless starry night
I've done that all my life
These skimming stones decide
These skimming stones still lie

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Purple Raga by Matthew Montfort
Uche by Paul Kwitek
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
Had I Known by The Heavens
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Ochun by Ancient Future

Had I Known

2010-01-26T13:28:00.002+01:00

Listen to song From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by The Heavens

West Yorkshire-based band The Heavens began life as the brainchild of Richard Green, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist with both Ultrasound and The Somatics.

Best described as a blend of British & American Psychedelia, Rock & Roll and 90's Brit-Rock, the core line up sees Richard working alongside Davey Fairbrother (The Lost 45s) on drums and vocals, James Heggie (The Lazy Darlings, Vib Gyor) on bass guitar and Mark Drury (The High) on organ and guitar.

2009 saw The Heavens taking their energetic live show up and down the country, appearing at Liverpool’s IPO Festival at The Cavern, The Edinburgh Festival and various London dates along the way. Having also recorded over an albums worth of tracks at Leeds' Attic Studios, the band are currently planning further live dates and an EP release for early 2010.

The Heavens are:
Richard Green - Guitar/Vocals
Mark Drury - Keys/Guitar
Dave Fairbrother - Drums/Vocals
Victoria May - Vocals
James Heggie - Bass

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Purple Raga by Matthew Montfort
Uche by Paul Kwitek
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Ochun by Ancient Future

Purple Raga

2010-01-26T01:46:00.003+01:00

Listen to song
From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by Matthew Montfort

From Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, the debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort, which showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments characteristic of the sitar. "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" follows the muse on the path of improvisation, inspired and informed by the ancient musical traditions of the world, but not bound by them.

As leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort has devoted himself to the scalloped fretboard guitar since 1978. He spent years of study with some of the world's best musicians, such as gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro, North Indian sarod master Ali Akbar Khan, and vina master K.S. Subramanian, with whom he did an intensive study of South Indian note-bending techniques.

He was interviewed in the December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine about the scalloped fretboard guitar and the application of the rules of Indian raga to the music of Jimi Hendrix as exemplified by 'Purple Raga' from his debut solo recording, "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar." He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai.

He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book "Ancient Traditions & Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India" which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

Very few of the many reviews he has received:

"Matthew Montfort is an American Ravi Shankar on guitar." - Pandit Habib Khan, sitarist
"Matthew Montfort's synthesis of styles and sounds isn't superficial -- he plucks the essential musicality of several traditions without discounting them. Beautiful world fusion music." - Roger Carlberg, Electronic Musician
"The most beautiful, soulful guitar I have ever heard!!" - Chandi Devi, Editor-in-Chief, Karmacaffe.com
More reviews and album info

We also have to mention here that he was one of the first artists responding Andrea's call for this charity compilation, and Ancient Future Records offered one track from three of their artists: another one is Ochun, and stay tuned for the third track!

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Uche by Paul Kwitek
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Ochun by Ancient Future

Uche

2010-01-25T12:14:00.003+01:00

Listen to song
From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by Paul Kwitek

Paul Kwitek is defining a vast musical landscape. Integrating infectious groove-based dance music with the sounds of nature, exotic instrumentation, immersive soundscapes and soulful vocals. His techniques have resulted in unique musical experiences that are laced with visual imagery, raw energy and soulful emotion.

A producer, DJ and composer under the Existence Records label which he founded, Paul Kwitek is quickly evolving the musical language of progressive, house, ambient and chiillout electronica and setting the course towards new directions. He is mastering all creative and production aspects that make up successful musical projects. Kwitek’s full-length album Qualia for example, is composed of uplifting dance tracks, cinematic melodies, ingeniously integrated sound effects and dreamy yet grooving ambient cuts – Qualia’s depth, maturity and power mirrors the many directions of Kwitek’s musical character.

Kwitek’s keen understanding of music and production began when, as a youngster, he experimented with music, tape recorders, record players and keyboards. He also developed his musical acumen by immersing himself in techno and electronic music at raves, parties and clubs. He completed his diploma in audio engineering from the Trebas Institute in Toronto and made his giant leap forward in 1995 when he produced his first track.

Since then, Paul has been relentless in producing a constant stream of very well received tracks and expanding his musical range by cris-crossing different stylistic and melodic genres and coming up with a unique and versatile sound. Some of his more notable releases include Lublin, the anthemic Black Ocean (Featuring Roxanne Morganstern), Voodoman (Featuring Michelle Chivers) and Don’t Forget all under the Existence Records label. Paul’s remixes are highly prized, he has infused new energy and polish into the works of other artists. Kwitek’s keen sense of the right elements of sound and production have also enabled a number of successful collaborations with the likes of Neah, Roxanne Morganstern, Michelle Chivers, Deep Forest, and many others.

Paul’s remix of Deep Forest’s Sweet Lullaby was a runaway bestseller in the eminent online music stores such as iTunes, Beatport and Napster. Paul Kwitek also continues to hone his skills with DJ tours, hosting a regular podcast for Proton Radio and seeking out new acts as A&R head for Existence Records.

There is definitely a lot to be excited about as Kwitek has a number of projects in the pipeline for 2010.Watch out for second studio album thats anticipated to be released in summer of 2010.

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
Help Me Believe by Emerald
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Ochun by Ancient Future

Help Me Believe

2010-01-25T00:11:00.006+01:00

Listen to song
From the charity compilation in progress Haiti Aid Through Music, this track is by Emerald

Emerald from UK, with the quest to reignite the magic of classic rock music, independently released their fantastic debut album "Master I Am" on April 11, 2009 and since its launch the band are widely being hailed as the best Independent Rock Band on the circuit..

Commercial radio stations in America, Japan, Australia, India and across many parts of Europe and the UK are playing the album on a daily basis...
Magazines are writing raving reviews with Britain's largest and most popular Music magazine "Classic Rock" hailing the band as "Young Gods"
The band have also featured on MTV Europe - performed their very first live show in India to a crowd of Elite Bollywood celebrities and have performed for a number of charity events across the UK...
The bands latest achievement in 2010 is having their Album title track "Master I Am" selected by the BBC as one of their theme tunes for the 2010 Masters Snooker tournament

The Emerald are:

Yvan Silva - lead vocals
Ashley Cooper - guitar
Yoann Claude - guitar
Alessandro Lofoco - bass
Thomas Maher - drums

Lyrics:

Help me believe I'm not on fire
Give me the will to set me free
And find me the key that unlocks my desire
Show me a way to escape this hell
Find me the strength to unlock this door
That harbours my soul from within this cell

chorus
Somewhere
I know that someone is watching
Somehow
I know that someone could actually care
I know that someone is watching
Sometime
I know that someone could set me free

Help me believe in what I see
Rid me the taste of who I am
That stems from the dark to prey on me
Just who I am is all but dust
Left in the dark without a trace
A life so cruel that only fuels my lust

chorus
Somewhere
I know that someone is watching
Somehow
I know that someone could actually care
I know that someone is watching
Sometime
I know that someone could set me free

Show me the hand that feeds my failure
That rests upon the deeds that seal my faith
A life that's short and without recapture

Download track and support volunteers working in Haiti

More songs from Haiti Aid Through Music:

One World by Joel Kanning
Ostracized Melancholy by Softcore
God Only Knows My Shoe Size by Ludwig Amadeus
Ochun by Ancient Future