PRZEMYSŁAW GINTROWSKI, JACEK KACZMARSKI, ZBIGNIEW ŁAPIŃSKI - "MURY" (1981)

You will probably remember "Krzyk", the album that marked Jacek Kaczmarski's comeback in Poland. I posted it on Soviet Sam some weeks ago.

Anyway, before leaving his country, the bard had already released "Mury", a strong debut in collaboration with Przemysław Gintrowski (a folksinger and soundtrack composer) and Zbigniew Łapiński (a virtuoso piano player, who was part of "Krzyk" too).

Even though the album didn't get any popularity at the time, as it was censored when the martial law became effective at the end of 1981, it gained a huge cult following since the end of the regime. The title-track is a cover of "L'estaca" by Lluís Llach, a Spanish anti-fascist anthem, with new lyrics by Kaczmarski. Today it is one of the most popular Polish folk songs.

Gintrowski's "Śmiech" and Kaczmarski's "Pompeja" are classics too, both strongly characterized by Łapiński's elaborate piano style and some striking background vocals.

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JACEK KACZMARSKI - "KRZYK" (rec. 1981, rel. 1989)

Jacek Kaczmarski was touring France when the Polish authority declared the martial law at the end of 1981.
Considering that the lyrics of his songs were particularly harsh against the local regime, even if his accusations were concealed by metaphors and poetry, he decided not to return to his native country. 
He instead lived in exile, working for Radio Free Europe until 1989. With the end of Soviet rule over Poland, he could finally return.

Recorded in 1981 and censored by the authorities at the time, "Krzyk" is the first album released by Kaczmarski after his comeback. It was an immediate success, with lots of classics of Polish bard music. Here you can find "Obława" (a modified version of an old song by Russian legend Vladimir Vysotsky), "Lekcja historii klasycznej", "Sen Katarzyny II", and other well known titles.

You will be conquered by the richness of these songs even if you don't understand their lyrics (which I know only through some translations I've found across the net).
Not only Kaczmarski was a superb guitar player and singer (capable of aggressive, torrid performances), but he was supported by Zbigniew Łapiński, a virtuoso and elegant classical piano player. Every track has a powerful melody and is tastefully decorated.
I love how Kaczmarski's urgency is perfectly completed by Łapiński's gusto.

Jacek died of cancer in April 2004.

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