Band of Gypsies

Submitted by nonesuch on
genre
Release Date
DescriptionExcerpt

World-renowned purveyors of traditional Romanian music, the multi-generational ensemble was recorded live during three concerts in Bucharest. The Independent (UK) declared, “Wild emotion and artistic virtuosity are qualities that usually come as an either/or, but here they're in perfect fusion.”

Description

In 2001, Taraf de Haïdouks presented its first all-new album for Nonesuch Records with Band of Gypsies, a collection of previously unrecorded songs taped during three electrifying special concerts in Bucharest, Romania, at the end of 2000. A genuine village band from the small Romanian town of Clejani, Taraf is made up of a dozen instrumentalists and singers ranging in age from 20 to 78. For the occasion of the concerts recorded for Band of Gypsies, the band was joined by guest musicians from Bulgaria and Turkey as well as the Kocani Orkestar Brass Band from Macedonia.

Taraf de Haïdouks was discovered in 1990 by Belgian music fans Stepháne Karo and Michel Winter, who organized several concerts for the group in Belgium and introduced them to the European record label Crammed Discs, with whom the group signed shortly thereafter. Their US recording debut followed nine years later with their 1999 self-titled Nonesuch debut, compiling the best of three previous European releases and followed by a multi-artist “Gypsy Caravan” tour of the US. In 2001, Taraf embarked on their first-ever solo tour of the US, playing to sold-out halls in two dozen US cities. They shared the stage at Stanford in California with Kronos Quartet, with whom they are featured on the soundtrack to the Sally Potter film The Man Who Cried.

Band of Gypsies is fresh evidence of Taraf de Haïdouks' unique mix of local styles and flavors that represent the richness of the Romanian folk music tradition, marked by medieval ballads, Turkish-flavored dance tunes from the Balkans, and characteristic vocal inflections reminiscent of the Gypsy people’s origins in the Indian sub-continent.

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Vincent Kenis and Stéphane Karo
Recorded in Bucharest at Sala Arcub Hall, Institut Français de Bucarest and Migas Real Studio
Track 12 recorded at Studio La Buissonne (France)
Live sound: Gérald Fenerberg
Mixed at Dada, Igloo, and AAAXL studios, Brussels
Engineered and mixed by Vincent Kenis, in collaboration with Gérald Fenerberg, David Minjouw, Daniel Léon, and Marius Macedon
Mastered by Vincent Kernis and Paul van der Jonckheyd at Foon, Belgium

All songs composed by Sapo Perapaskero, except 9, words and music by Gabi Voicila
Musical direction: Stéphane Karo, Ionitsa Manole, and Michael Winter
Arrangements on track 2, 6, 9, 13: Ionitsa Manole

Design by John Gall
Photography: Masataka Ishida

Executive Producers: Hanna Gorjaczkowska (Crammed), Michael Winter, and Stéphane Karo (Divano)

Nonesuch Selection Number

79641

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
FormatRestrictions

This album is available from Nonesuch in the United States and Canada only.

ns_album_artistid
111
ns_album_id
427
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Taraf de Haïdouks
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Neculae Neacsu, vocals, violin (1, 3, 8, 12, 14)
Ilie Iorga, vocals (3, 12)
Dumitru Baicu “Cacurica,” vocals, small cymbalum (1, 3, 7, 8, 14)
Paul Giuclea “Pasalan,” vocals, vioin (3, 10, 12)
Marin P. Manole, vocals, accordion (3, 8, 10, 12)
Gheorghe Falcaru, flute (4, 11, 12)
Anghel Gheorghe “Caliu,” violin (2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11-13)
Constantin Lautaru “Costica Boieru,” violin, vocals (2, 4-6, 9-13)
Ionel Manole “Ionitsa,” accordion, vocals (1-7, 9, 11-14)
Marin Manole “Marius,” accordion (2, 4, 9, 11-13)
Ion Tanase “Ionica,” small and large cymbalums (2, 3, 8-13)
Viorel Vlad, double bass (1-14)
Cristinel Turturica, large cymbalum (2, 4-7, 9, 11-13)

Guest Artists:
Flip Simeonov, clarinet (2, 6, 9, 13)
Tarik Tuysuzoglu, darbuka (2, 6, 9, 13)
Roger Manole, vocals (9)
Koçani Orkestar Gypsy Brass Band (2, 9, 13): Ismail Saliev, saxophone; Mendu Saliev, baritone tuba; Turan Gaberov, trumpet; Esat Saliev, baritone tuba; Saban Jasarov, tapan (percussion); Ismail Jasarov, bass tuba; Redzai Durmisev, baritone tuba; Deladin Demirov, clarinet; Ajilu Azizov, vocals; Zlate Nikolov, accordion

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597964127BUN
Label
MP3
Price
9.00
UPC
603497137565
  • 79641

News & Reviews

  • The Guardian has revealed the last batch of albums on its list of the 1,000 all-time must-hears. Earlier this week, we brought you Nonesuch artists A through M on the list. Here are N through Z, along with the Guardian's take on albums from Orchestra Baobab, Astor Piazzolla, Radio Tarifa, Oumou Sangare, SFJAZZ Collective, Taraf de Haïdouks, Rokia Traoré, and Wilco.

Buy Now

  • About This Album

    In 2001, Taraf de Haïdouks presented its first all-new album for Nonesuch Records with Band of Gypsies, a collection of previously unrecorded songs taped during three electrifying special concerts in Bucharest, Romania, at the end of 2000. A genuine village band from the small Romanian town of Clejani, Taraf is made up of a dozen instrumentalists and singers ranging in age from 20 to 78. For the occasion of the concerts recorded for Band of Gypsies, the band was joined by guest musicians from Bulgaria and Turkey as well as the Kocani Orkestar Brass Band from Macedonia.

    Taraf de Haïdouks was discovered in 1990 by Belgian music fans Stepháne Karo and Michel Winter, who organized several concerts for the group in Belgium and introduced them to the European record label Crammed Discs, with whom the group signed shortly thereafter. Their US recording debut followed nine years later with their 1999 self-titled Nonesuch debut, compiling the best of three previous European releases and followed by a multi-artist “Gypsy Caravan” tour of the US. In 2001, Taraf embarked on their first-ever solo tour of the US, playing to sold-out halls in two dozen US cities. They shared the stage at Stanford in California with Kronos Quartet, with whom they are featured on the soundtrack to the Sally Potter film The Man Who Cried.

    Band of Gypsies is fresh evidence of Taraf de Haïdouks' unique mix of local styles and flavors that represent the richness of the Romanian folk music tradition, marked by medieval ballads, Turkish-flavored dance tunes from the Balkans, and characteristic vocal inflections reminiscent of the Gypsy people’s origins in the Indian sub-continent.

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Neculae Neacsu, vocals, violin (1, 3, 8, 12, 14)
    Ilie Iorga, vocals (3, 12)
    Dumitru Baicu “Cacurica,” vocals, small cymbalum (1, 3, 7, 8, 14)
    Paul Giuclea “Pasalan,” vocals, vioin (3, 10, 12)
    Marin P. Manole, vocals, accordion (3, 8, 10, 12)
    Gheorghe Falcaru, flute (4, 11, 12)
    Anghel Gheorghe “Caliu,” violin (2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11-13)
    Constantin Lautaru “Costica Boieru,” violin, vocals (2, 4-6, 9-13)
    Ionel Manole “Ionitsa,” accordion, vocals (1-7, 9, 11-14)
    Marin Manole “Marius,” accordion (2, 4, 9, 11-13)
    Ion Tanase “Ionica,” small and large cymbalums (2, 3, 8-13)
    Viorel Vlad, double bass (1-14)
    Cristinel Turturica, large cymbalum (2, 4-7, 9, 11-13)

    Guest Artists:
    Flip Simeonov, clarinet (2, 6, 9, 13)
    Tarik Tuysuzoglu, darbuka (2, 6, 9, 13)
    Roger Manole, vocals (9)
    Koçani Orkestar Gypsy Brass Band (2, 9, 13): Ismail Saliev, saxophone; Mendu Saliev, baritone tuba; Turan Gaberov, trumpet; Esat Saliev, baritone tuba; Saban Jasarov, tapan (percussion); Ismail Jasarov, bass tuba; Redzai Durmisev, baritone tuba; Deladin Demirov, clarinet; Ajilu Azizov, vocals; Zlate Nikolov, accordion

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by Vincent Kenis and Stéphane Karo
    Recorded in Bucharest at Sala Arcub Hall, Institut Français de Bucarest and Migas Real Studio
    Track 12 recorded at Studio La Buissonne (France)
    Live sound: Gérald Fenerberg
    Mixed at Dada, Igloo, and AAAXL studios, Brussels
    Engineered and mixed by Vincent Kenis, in collaboration with Gérald Fenerberg, David Minjouw, Daniel Léon, and Marius Macedon
    Mastered by Vincent Kernis and Paul van der Jonckheyd at Foon, Belgium

    All songs composed by Sapo Perapaskero, except 9, words and music by Gabi Voicila
    Musical direction: Stéphane Karo, Ionitsa Manole, and Michael Winter
    Arrangements on track 2, 6, 9, 13: Ionitsa Manole

    Design by John Gall
    Photography: Masataka Ishida

    Executive Producers: Hanna Gorjaczkowska (Crammed), Michael Winter, and Stéphane Karo (Divano)

  • Format Availability

    This album is available from Nonesuch in the United States and Canada only.