Gipsy Music: Hungary, Transsylvania, Greece, Albania, Serbia, Turkey, Andalusia, Romania, 10 CD box-set

***track 21 is missing from disc 8 due to corrupt cd - sorry***

CD1

Bangó Margit, Kik is a cigányok, Hungarian Gypsy Music with gypsy orchestra

01. Kik is a cigányok ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
02. Kapanyél, kaszanyél ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
03. Panaszkodik a hegedum Kiss L. - Sándor J.
04. Félrevágom a kalapom Ifj. Rácz N.
05. Lenn az erdo szélén ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
06. Tongola Cigana ifj. Járóka S.
07. Minden roma rólunk beszél ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
08. Erdo szélen tanyáznak a cigányok Szabó J. - Szabó E.
09. Zöldszalagos a kalapom Fátyol T. - Lakatos M.
10. Mamole ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
11. Jaj, de sudár ez a cigánylány ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
12/1 Loli Coká ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
12/2 Jaj, anyám ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
12/3 Ellopták a fehér lovam a cigányok ifj. Járóka S. - Horváth T.
12/4 Sárközi ifj. Járóka S. - Bangó M.
13. Kerek az erdo Tradicionális
14. Román fantázia Járóka Sándor
15/1 Félreállok az utadból Tradicionális
15/2 Üzenek majd neked Tradicionális
16. Messze van a nyíregyházi… Tradicionális
17. Én a bánatot csak mindig kifogom Bangó Margit

Typically nomadic, the Roma have long acted as wandering entertainers and tradesmen. In all the places Roma live—in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and northwest India— they have become known as musicians. The wide distances travelled have introduced a multitude of influences, starting with Indian roots and adding Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Slavic, Romanian, German, French, Spanish and Celtic touches.

Romani music characteristically has vocals that tend to be soulful and declamatory, and the music often incorporates prominent glissandi (slides) between notes. Instrumentation varies widely according to the region the music comes from.

Though no conclusive proof has been found, most historians believe that Roma are descended from an Indian people and migrated westward in several waves, probably all before 1000 AD. Roma still live in India, however, in Rajasthan and other areas, and work in multiple castes. These include the puppeteer Bhat, snake charmer Sapera and juggler Kamad castes, as well as Bhopa, Langa and Manganiyar musicians. Rajasthani Roma instruments include the kamayacha, a sort of fiddle, and khartal, a kind of castanets.

CD 2
Csóré Duó, Táncoljon a sok cigány, Hungarian Gypsy Music with guitars

01. Ó nagyvilág, gitáromnak hangja száll
02. Bementem én gyarmatra
03/1 Melléd fekszem, egész éjjel csókollak
03/2 Jaj de sukár ez a romalány
04/1 Mikor meghalok utánad
04/2 Visszavágyom a családomhoz
05. Nincsen nyugalmam
06. Öreganyó megy az úton
07/1 Sütök neked pogácsát
07/2 Mi lesz veled
07/3 Sok a cigány Mohácson
07/4 Kutinak a fia vagyok
07/5 Adjon Isten szekeremnek kereket
08/1 A romákkal mulatok
08/2 Csóró cigánygyerek, az járt itt
09. Cigányasszony megfogta a kezemet

Roma moved west from India, spreading throughout what is now Iran, Iraq, Armenia and other Middle Eastern countries. By 1050, the Roma are believed to have been playing music in Constantinople. By the end of the 15th century, Roma people lived in Bulgaria, Egypt, Romania, Hungary, Sudan, Greece and Serbia. From there, they spread to the remainder of Europe, and now exist in small numbers abroad.

Romani communities are common in Arab and Middle Eastern countries, but are often found in southern parts of India as well. There is a strong tradition of Romani music in Central and Eastern Europe, notably in countries such as Hungary, Romania and the former Yugoslavia. The quintessentially Spanish flamenco is to a very large extent the music (and dance, or indeed the culture) of the Roma of Andalusia.

CD 3

01. Fantasy, dojna and hora (Traditional) Gypsy Band of Victor Laszlo
02. Roma voices (Traditional) Unknown
03. Gypsy Song (Traditional) Fatos Selman
04. Allegro (Traditional arranged) Kurbeti
05. Amen Samous Roma (Hatzis ) Alexandras Hatzis
06. Romani (Traditional) Gypsy Musicians of Constantinople
07. Alborea (Traditional) Jose Gonzalez, Yorgos Papadopoulos
08. S-a-pus soarele sa jure (A vow to the sun) (Traditional) Mihal Michalache
09. Fetele De Maritat (Traditional) Achim Nica
10. Vano (Traditional) Zinaida Kikina
11. Hirovomvida (Grenade) (A. Hatzis - U. Giordis) Alexandros Hatzis
12. O Theos Na Me Filai (Amen Samous Roma)(May God Keep Me Safe )(A. Hatzis – E. Zervou – Y. Sotiriou) Alexandros Hatzis
13. Kustino Oro (G. Bregovic) Gregor Bregovic & Athens Symphony Orchestra
14. Wedding – Cocek (G. Bregovic) Gregor Bregovic & Athens Symphony Orchestra
15. Me Zilevis (You Envy Me) (N. Romanos – S. Kordas) Nikos Romanos
16. Sto Katahimono (Midwinter) ( A. Hatzis – E. Zervou) Alexandros Hatzis

Macedonian and Albanian Roma play Greek koumpaneia most frequently, with the Macedonian style distinctively known as calgia. Macedonian Roma music has been popularized by Goran Bregovic's "Ederlezi" from the soundtrack to Emir Kusturica's Time of the Gypsies, which was shot and set in the Macedonian Roma community.

Albanian Roma music is called Tallava. It has a distinct sound and is greatly influenced by Middle Eastern sounds. Drums and the daf are essential instruments. Other than its name, some people refer to it by the names given to the Albanian Roma people such as Hashkali, Magjup, Cigan, Jevg, Harrixhi, etc. Tallava is now gaining much popularity in Albania and many non-Roma singers are also singing and using it.


CD 4
Kally Save, Le Rozika, Authentic Gypsy Music with authentic instruments

01. Malau tambura Traditional
02. Ó Mamó Traditional
03. Jeklüvó Traditional
04. Hej kiskutyám Traditional
05. Váci börtön Traditional
06. Volt egy lovam Traditional
07. Anyám, anyám lelkem Traditional
08. Háromszög Traditional
09. Múrórom Traditional
10. Jaj uram Traditional
11. Sürgönyi maladav Traditional
12. Sé sé sukár sé Traditional
13. Le Rozika Traditional
14. Cigeretta pavra Traditional
15. Tábortüz Traditional

Čoček is a dance of oriental origin, which can be danced as a line dance or as a solo improvisation. The word čoček comes from the Turkish köçek (dancing boy). Čoček is danced by Turks, Albanians and especially by Roma in Macedonia and Southern Serbia. Similar dances are found in Bulgaria (Kjuček) and Romania (Manea). The movements are small, fine and reserved, as if the dancer were dancing “inside her clothes”. Čoček music is probably the most lively, viable music tradition in the Balkans today, as shown by the success in the world music scene of the Roma musician Ferus Mustafov and the singer diva Esma Redžepova. Besides its Turkish and Balkan roots, the music incorporates strong influences from such diverse styles as Hindi film music or Mexican Mariachi music. Popular instruments today are the accordion, saxophone, clarinet, and even entire brass bands, because brass bands became popular in the folk music of this region after the First World War.

Hungary has a long and famous history of Roma musicians, with Janos Bihari being the most well-known of the traditional orchestra leaders. The Lakatos family now dominates the music.

Rural Hungarian Roma play a sparsely accompanied form of song called loki djili and dance songs called khelimaski djili.


CD 5

1. Karsilamas Hidjaz (M. Koumbios) Balkan Voices
2. Gypsy Song (traditional) Balkan Voices
3. Rom & Balano (A.. Boulgourtzis) Kostas Pavlidis
4. The Rom Of The Land (K. Pavlidis) Kostas Pavlidis
5. The Rom Of The Fire (K. Pavlidis) Kostas Pavlidis
6. Rast Tsiftetelli (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
7. Tsadir Oyun Havasi (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
8. Istanbul Havasi (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
9. Kochek Dance (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
10. Rumeli Karsilama (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
11. Karsilama (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
12. Arnavut Taqsim (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople
13. Sulu Kule Havasi (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople

Roma in Greece are known for the zurna and davul duos (analogous to the shawm and drum partnership common in Roma music) and Turkish-influenced koumpaneia music. Koumpaneia has long been popular among Greek Roma and Jews (the latter being some of the most popular performers before World War II), especially in the city of Ioannina, and has recently been popularized by artists like Kostas Pavlidis and Yianni Saleas.

Romanian Roma musicians are called lautari, and typically form string bands called taraf. Tarafs include fiddles, cimbaloms, accordions and a double bass, and are common throughout the country. The most popular are Taraf de Haidouks and Fanfare Ciocărlia, who have gained an international following.

Manele is a contemporary movement of Roma music in Romania and elsewhere in the Balkans, incorporating elements of popular music genres into traditional Gypsy music. The Danube basin is probably the Northern limit of dances of oriental origin in Europe. Manea is danced by Roma in Oltenia and around Bucharest along the northern rim of the Danube basin. During the Ceaucescu regime, Roma were prohibited from performing their own music and dances in public. Although Roma were in demand as accompanists for dance ensembles or as musicians in cafés and restaurants they were required to play Romanian music. Because of this, Helene was pleasantly surprised to find this dance in 1993 in Caracal, Oltenia at a dance festival. Manea was danced by both men and women with the subtlety characteristic of the roma dances of Turkey and the Balkans.

CD 6
Kally Save, Szeretni csak egyet lehet, Authentic Gypsy Music with authentic instruments

1. Nazsa csori vimesa vimepala tutezsa (Ne menj szegény, én is utánad megyek)
2. Hulipatrolare (Hulljatok levelek)
3. Szimajek imekonyvo (Van nekem egy imakönyvem)
4. Nukiaszmai gajzsi (Elhagyott az asszony)
5. Malac tambura (Szóljon a gitár)
6. Vesa, vesa zelenona (Erdo, zöld erdo)
7. De báró otrajo (De nehéz az élet)
8. Palamende tepiresza (Utána fogsz járni)
9. Kament feri korkore lakamav (Szeretni csak egyet lehet)
10. Deltusza dalekam (Isten veled anyám)
11. Komámasszony kakasa
12. Bulgaria gelem (Bulgáriába megyek)
13. Kanak szimasaternosavo (Mikor kicsi gyerek voltam)
14. Kutka tela pagavel (Ott lenn törnek)

During the Renaissance a new, exciting and highly improvised couple dance fashion swept over Europe. The nobility introduced it, the bourgeoisie copied it and peasants danced it and filled it with life. Brueghel painted it; Dürrer illustrated it; preachers denounced it. Wondrously, these dances survive to this day in a far corner of Europe. Romanians, Hungarians and Roma in approximately 30 villages around the city of Cluj in Western Transylvania preserved and polished these traditions and developed them into the most complicated and elegant of couple dances. Like their neighbours, the Romanians and Hungarians, the Roma of this region have a traditional cycle of dances that includes men’s exhibition dances and continues with couples’ dances. The Roma who are paradoxically both the most conservative and most innovative guardians of theses traditions, have maintained a very fast couple dance, done apart, without linking the partners. Called çingerica, it is ornamented by finger snapping and has incredibly rapid footwork. Helene has been fortunate to be able to research and dance this in a Transylvanian Roma village.

CD 7


1. Love Birds (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:25 Albania
2. Please Don’t Go (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 4:59 Albania
3. Eli Eli (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:00 Albania
4. A Beautiful Night (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 4:56 Albania
5. Your Words Are Wasted (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 5:02 Albania
6. Allegro (Instrumental) (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:30 Albania
7. Kurbeti (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 6:08 Albania
8. Alma (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:38 Albania
9. Mendo Mira (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 5:13 Albania
10. Koritsa (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 4:02 Albania
11. Don’t Cry (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 2:59 Albania
12. Antoneta (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:49 Albania

In the Ottoman Empire Roma were popular entertainers for the people and in the courts. Even today many of Istanbul’s famous musicians are Roma. They perform at restaurants, in well-known spots such as Çiçek Pasajı, or in the Roma neighbourhood of Suluküle. In addition to dancing Çiftetelli (tsifteteli) the Roma are masters of dancing in a 9/8 rhythm called Karşılama or Roman. In contrast to common perception, Roman is not danced with wild leaps and tambourines, but rather with exquisitely fine movements, which manage to be very earthy and yet very refined at the same time, while accentuating the 9/8 rhythm in ever changing, unexpected ways

CD 8
Rőzsetűz Együttes, Táncolj babám, Hungarian Gypsy Music

1. Ajaj Mama Traditional 01:40
2. Ha kimegyek a piacra Traditional 01:10
3. Kezd a hajnal hasadni Traditional 01:42
4. Ne bántsatok engemet békési cigányok Traditional 01:28
5. Sárközi Traditional 02:44
6. Jaj de sudár ez a cigánylány Traditional 02:09
7. A börtönnek kapujában Traditional 01:31
8. Ricsi, Ricsi Traditional 01:24
9. Dúl ide dúl Traditional 01:47
10. Az én uram Tatabányán melózik Traditional 01:19
11. Jaj anyám, jaj apám Traditional 01:46
12. Nem megyek a bálba veled Traditional 02:07
13. A békési cigányok Traditional 01:45
14. Ó a nagy világ Traditional 01:33
15. Szájb?g?s variáció Traditional 01:09
16. Megjöttek a fiúk és a lányok Traditional 01:36
17. Elszakadt a fekete bor csizmám Traditional 03:33
18. Van nékem egy anyósom Traditional 01:39
19. Purórom Traditional 01:43
20. Kérénsaávorálé Traditional 02:18
21/1 Sudétu sé sudétu Traditional 04:17 *missing*
21/2 Kerek az erdo Traditional *missing*
22. Isten könyörülj meg! Traditional 03:19
23. Cigánykerék Traditional 02:53
24. Táncolj Traditional 02:41
25. Sávó sávó Traditional 01:04
26. Ki járt itt, ki volt itt Traditional 01:44
27. Kidobták az uramat a kocsmából Traditional 01:27
28. Adjad asszony a botomat Traditional 01:20
29. Jaj déva Traditional 04:13
30/1 Megyek, megyek hosszú útra Traditional 02:51
30/2 Kanálverseny Traditional

CD 9

1. Furculesti Sirba (traditional) The Romanian Lautari 6:07 Romanian
2. Ta Pedia Apo Tin Patra (My Swallows From Rom)(traditional) Heliodonia Mou Roma 3:51 Romanian
3. Smyrna (I Wish I Had A Heart Of Stone)(K. Soukas) Makis Bekos 2:38 Volos
4. Chassan (traditional) Dimitris Lazos 2:20 Volos
5. Rom Echoes (traditional) Nektarios Kokonis 3:09 Greece
6. Ciganska Sam Mala (traditional) Silvana Zdrakovic 3:23 Servia
7. Vano (traditional) Zinaida Kikina 1:46 Moldova
8. On The Banks Of The Danube (traditional) Dumitru Stanescu 5:48 Romania
9. Suite 1 Of Traditional Songs Gypsy Band Of Jozef Lacatos 6:41 Hungary
10. Balkan Wind (V. Saleas) Vassilis Saleas 4:02 Balkan
11. Ki Anarotieme (And I Wonder) (S. Saleas) Sarantis Saleas – Eleni Vitali 3:24 Greece
12. Ussak Oyun Havasi (traditional) Gypsy Music Of Constantinople 3:51 Asia
13. Fantasia (traditional) Albanian Gypsies 3:25 Albania


CD 10
Cifra Ensemble, Hangról Hangra, Hungarian Gypsy Music incl. other hits in gypsy music style

1. Szentivánéji álom: Nászinduló (részlet) (F. Mendelssohn) 02:26
2. Magasan repül a daru (Liszt Ferenc) 05:11
3. Hejj cigány (részlet a Marica grófno operettbol) (Kálmán Imre) 04:46
4. Lengyel zsidó dal (Traditional) 02:15
5. Két gitár (Ismeretlen szerzo) 07:21
6. Kék Duna keringo (Johann Strauss) 03:14
7. Szeptember (Jazz standard) (Irvin Berlin) 01:28
8. Hora-staccato (Diniku) 02:36
9/1 Szoke magas férfi felemás cipoben (Vladimir Kozma)
9/2 Jaj, jaj, jaj, jaj cigány csárdás (Traditional) 04:30
10/1 Mákvirágcsárdás (Szalay Frigyes)
10/2 F-dúr friss (Rácz Pali) 03:26
11. Zöld erdoben, zöld mezoben sétálgat egy páva (Teker szóló) (Traditional) 02:01
12/1 Szép rozmaring (Fritz Kreisler)
12/2 Csak a no csak a no (részlet a Víg özvegy operettbol) (Lehár Ferenc) 02:49
13/1 Három kislány ül a padon (Szerdahelyi Jándos)
13/2 Kiültek a vénasszonyok a padra (Traditional) 03:14
14. Paganini 24. capriccio (Heged szóló) (Paganini) 04:12
15/1 A vén cigány (Kondor Erno)
15/2 Hullámzó Balaton tetején (Sárközi Ferenc)
15/3 Balaton közepe náddal van kerítve (Volly István)
15/4 Á-moll friss (Traditional) 07:45
16. Hargitai fecske madár (Cimbalomszóló) (Traditional) 03:14
17. Magyarcsárdás (Teker szóló) (Traditional) 02:03
18/1 Nincs énnékem semmi bajom (Kozák Gábor József)
18/2 A legény egytol-egyig mind csalfa (Szentirmay Elemér)
18/3 Nagy György uram csárdása (Boka K.)
18/4 B-dúr koncert friss (Pócsi László) 07:46
19. H-moll és H-dúr friss (Járóka Sándor) 04:29