Nick Bratkovich: Music

1. Devojka Sa Kosova (The Girl from Kosovo, by N. Bratkovich)
An original tune about a beautiful girl from Kosovo and a young man’s love for her. His friends believe she doesn’t love him, but little do they know that the two are secretly engaged. The percussion and horn sections effectively capture the popular Sa Sa rhythm from the Kosovo region of Serbia.

2. Kolubarski Vez / Arapsko Kokonješte (D. Aleksandrić)
This medley represents a popular arrangement of a modern, up-tempo kolo u šest followed by a traditional kokonješte. Kokonješte is the oldest form of a kolo u šest dating back to the Ottoman occupation, traditionally written in a minor key.

3. Hajde Kato (Folk Song) A song about a young man and Kata, the love of his life. He asks her to slip away to the garden for an evening stroll but she declines, saying that the moon isn’t bright enough to support that kind of notion. In his final plea, he admits that she is his very soul. I really enjoy this number because of the interaction of the accordion and clarinets that give it a distinct Slovenian sound.

4. Acino Kolo (N. Bratkovich)
This is an original kolo u šest which I named after my fellow accordionist with whom I currently perform as a member of Orkestar Kumovi from Los Angeles, California. The happy melody and the toe-tapping rhythm make it one of my favorites.

5. Laži Vere (A. Nančevski)
A Macedonian number I originally recorded back in 1975 with the Beograd Orchestra of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s a confession of love by a man who admits 3 weaknesses in his life: the cafes of Strumica, his loneliness, and his true love for whom he would die.

6. Jocino Kolo (N. Bratkovich)
An original composition in the Žikino Kolo tradition that I named after my grandfather, affectionately known as Joca. He danced a unique stutter step that I could never imitate, and he laughed a very hearty laugh which I came pretty close to. I believe that even though he’s no longer with us, he somehow knows this song is for him.

7. Bućimiš (Folk Dance)
A very popular number in 15/8 time signature from the Serbian / Bulgarian border region. The heavy percussion and intricate accordion work make it a favorite among international folk dancers everywhere.

8. Moj Dilbere (Folk Song)
Translated as “My Lover” this traditional Bosnian song is danced like Mizurlu. It is about a young girl’s anxiety that her lover, whom she is expecting that evening, will not make the appointed rendezvous, and she wonders if it’s because he is with another instead. The vocal and the accordion provide a distinct Bosnian / Middle Eastern flavor.

9. Polomka (R. Radojević)
A lively rhythm and difficult accordion passages make this not only an enjoyable number for dancing a fast Pravo, but for listening as well.

10. Pevaj Mi Sokole (Folk Song)
This is a classic Serbian folk song that was recently adapted to a cappella singing while dancing at the same time. Here’s how it sounded like in three-part harmony when I was a kid growing up in Milwaukee.

11. Niška Banja (O. Vučo)
Perhaps one of the most requested international numbers of all time, this is my rendition of a song about a hot spring in the Serbian town of Niš and all the shenanigans that go on there. The percussion adds delightfully to the 9/8 rhythm and the horns reflect the traditional brass bands of the region.

12. Ravno Oro (Folk Dance)
Truly one of the all-time favorite Macedonian tunes among international folk dancers. I believe this to be the perfect way to end this collection. Hope you enjoy!

To hear audio clips and purchase this CD go to www.cdbaby.com by clicking on Links.