Kalemegdan Disk - ROCK FROM EASTERN EUROPE

Supraphon Release Information

Two legendary albums by three legendary singers

When it was created in the late 1960s, this project was unique, and not just in our country. Bands made up of musicians of both sexes existed in pop music, but they had practically never been formed by soloists who were already famous in their own right. Here, the stars Marta Kubišová, Helena Vondráčková, and Václav Neckář, under the guidance of songwriter and producer Bohuslav “Bob” Ondráček, offered a visually stunning and musically unique interpretation. Testing during performances abroad, for example at the MIDEM record fair in Cannes, France, showed that there could have been international interest around the time of the “Prague Spring”.

Marta’s mysterious alto, Helena’s radiant soprano, and Václav’s boyish energy complemented each other perfectly in a repertoire written especially for them (“Tý líný řeky proud” (The Lazy River Flows), “Nestůj a pojď (U nás máme mejdan)” (Don’t Stand there, Come on (We Are Having a Party)), “Zlý dlouhý půst” (A Bad Long Fasting), and “Nautilus” (Nautilus)) and in cleverly chosen cover versions (“Čaroděj Dobroděj” (Jennifer Juniper), “Proudy” (Prove It), and “Proč mě nikdo nemá rád”(I Say a Little Prayer)).

They were refreshingly new, unconventional, and attractive. Add to that the professionally perfect orchestral and band accompaniment, including guitarist Ota Petřina, and it seemed clear that the future of the “Golden Children” was bright. However, their fate was soon dealt a harsh blow by the social and cultural “normalization”, which ostracized the politically inconvenient Kubišová for the next two decades, but their legacy from 1968-1970 has remained vital.

The reissue of the two original albums in the form of a newly remastered 2LP and CD, based on the graphics of the original covers and consistently respecting the retro look, is a
reminder of a trio that transcended the pop limits of the time with its concept, quality of singing, and overall presentation. And that remains true to this day.

Tracklist

LP 1 Micro – Magic – Circus – ℗ 1969

Side A

1. Micro – Magic – Circus 2:35
2. Tý líný řeky proud 3:17
3. Čaroděj Dobroděj (Jennifer Juniper) 2:40
4. Vrba 2:30
5. Malé šípy (Little Arrows) 2:50
6. Přítel Quinn (Might Quinn) 4:17

Side B

1. The Beat Goes on 4:43
2. Pohádka o cínovém vojáčkovi (Little Tin Soldier) 2:56
3. Tak dej se k nám a projdem svět 4:23
4. Jdi o dům dál 2:07
5. Proudy (Prove It) 3:41
6. Nestůj a pojď (U nás máme mejdan) 3:06

LP 2 Golden Kids 1 – Recorded 1969, ℗ 1970

Side A

1. Svět je místo k radování 4:02
2. Horoskop (Qu’est ce qui se passe dans mon coeur) 2:55
3. Zlý dlouhý půst 5:02
4. Proč mě nikdo nemá rád (I Say a Little Prayer) 2:54
5. Šel sen kolem nás (Fox on the Run) 2:51
6. Nejsi sám, kdo doufá (Face It Girl, It’s over) 2:40

Side B

1. Chci právo trubky mít 2:57
2. Malý princi, co s tvou růží (A Flower in My Garden) 2:07
3. Atlantis 3:04
4. Strejček Charlie 2:16
5. Nautilus 7:01