CD-Charts Position 81
Average Rating:

The All Time Great Polkas: Frankie Yankovic Plays in Person

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Frankie Yankovic

Release Date October 25, 1990
This CD originally appeared as a vinyl LP in about 1960. Of Frankie's two dozen Columbia vinyls, this one was his least meritorious effort, yet it is the only one Sony/Columbia has chosen to re-release. The sound is muddy, perhaps because it was an early stereo effort. Better candidates for re-release would be two monophonic classics, TV Polkas and Polkas in Hi-Fi, or the better stereo recordings like Friendly Tavern Polkas, Movietime Polkas, and Polka My Way. For the first-time Yankovic buyer, I would suggest Frankie's last two CDs, Songs of the Polka King Volumes 1 and 2, on the Cleveland International label.

CD-Charts Position 82
Average Rating:

Tretakt & Takissaba

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Ellika & Solo

Release Date August 19, 2002
What do you get when you combine a Swedish folk fiddler with a Senegalese kora player? If you'd asked me that question before I heard "Tretakt & Takissaba," I'd have predicted "not much." Something well meaning but flat and not a little discordant, maybe. Well as you've probably guessed, nothing could be further from the truth.

These tunes bubble over with energy, with warmth, with life. Solo is a master of the kora, and his Mande-language vocals add a lot to the mix. Ellika, for her part, is a heck of a fiddle player. What really makes this pairing work, though, is each musician's ability to listen to the other and to play to the other's strengths as well as their own. It sounds like the kora and fiddle were always ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 83
Average Rating:

Polka Til You Drop

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Various Artists

Release Date March 18, 2008
What do you get when you combine a Swedish folk fiddler with a Senegalese kora player? If you'd asked me that question before I heard "Tretakt & Takissaba," I'd have predicted "not much." Something well meaning but flat and not a little discordant, maybe. Well as you've probably guessed, nothing could be further from the truth.

These tunes bubble over with energy, with warmth, with life. Solo is a master of the kora, and his Mande-language vocals add a lot to the mix. Ellika, for her part, is a heck of a fiddle player. What really makes this pairing work, though, is each musician's ability to listen to the other and to play to the other's strengths as well as their own. It sounds like the kora and fiddle were always ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 84
Average Rating:

22 Great Country Music Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Lawrence Welk

Release Date April 01, 1994
As a true Lawrence Welk, his singers and orchestra fan, this CD does not disappoint, not in the least. His music and his singers are all brought back from the past in this wonderful and entertaining offering. You will not regret adding this to your collection as you relive time and time again those unforgettable 'Lawrence Welk Show' years. Strongly recommended!

CD-Charts Position 85
Average Rating:

16 Most Requested Polkas

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Various Artists

Release Date July 26, 1989
My mother, age 86, loved this CD. She got a CD player and wanted polka music to play while using her treadmill. She was very impressed with the number of songs included.

CD-Charts Position 86
Average Rating:

Polkas for a Gloomy World

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Brave Combo

Release Date June 20, 1995
This is the first album I have bought by Brave Combo and it certainly did not disappoint! Coming from a more traditional Chicago and Slovenian style Polka background, I wasn't sure how well I'd like a group like Brave Combo, but that was shattered with the first few notes of Hosa Dyna. I knew I'd heard the song before, but I couldn't remember where. A few weeks later, I discovered the same song going by the title "Od Krakowa Jade" and recorded by Li'l Wally in the mid 1940's. I never thought I'd hear this song done effectively with a Rock and Roll energy, but Brave Combo pulled it off without a hitch. The incredible thing about this band is that they can introduce such a modern energy and Alternative style diversity to a musical ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 87
Average Rating:

Polka Favorites

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Jimmy Sturr

Release Date September 30, 1997
This is the first album I have bought by Brave Combo and it certainly did not disappoint! Coming from a more traditional Chicago and Slovenian style Polka background, I wasn't sure how well I'd like a group like Brave Combo, but that was shattered with the first few notes of Hosa Dyna. I knew I'd heard the song before, but I couldn't remember where. A few weeks later, I discovered the same song going by the title "Od Krakowa Jade" and recorded by Li'l Wally in the mid 1940's. I never thought I'd hear this song done effectively with a Rock and Roll energy, but Brave Combo pulled it off without a hitch. The incredible thing about this band is that they can introduce such a modern energy and Alternative style diversity to a musical ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 88
Average Rating:

Gumby

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Various Artists

Release Date 1989
Yes, this is a "tribute" album to Gumby (the clay boy). The songs here all relate to Gumby (sometimes in a very loose way). Actually, two of the songs here, "Concrete and Clay" and "Bend Me, Shape Me", are remakes of old hits from the '60s. But they are both well done, especially "Bend Me, Shape Me". Most of the other songs were written especially for this album. There is a Zappaesque contribution by two of Frank's kids. There are two polka-rock songs by Brave Combo. There is a reggae dub song by Sly and Robbie. Jonathan Richman contributes a typically weird song. There is a gunfighter ballad by Rick Schulman. One of the highlights here is a funny song by Flo and Eddie, which is done in the style ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 89
Average Rating:

No Strings Attached

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Those Darn Accordions

Release Date June 18, 1996
I really like TDA. They sound much better in person. The accordian solos are fun to listen to.

CD-Charts Position 90
Average Rating:

The World's Greatest Waltzes, Vol. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Polka
by: Various Artists

Release Date January 30, 2002
...And I Mean That In The Best Possible Way! This is a great album of waltzes by some of polka's greatest bands such as Frankie Yankovic, Whoopee John, The Deutschmeisters, and The Six Fat Dutchmen. All the songs are great, two of my faves are "Milwaukee Waltz" and "Honey Bee Waltz", both by The Deutschmeisters. It's a great album! Buy it NOW!