Hambawenah - "Turururu"

Tagged with: Hambawenah Turururu Poland Vistula Folk world music WorldMusic.co.uk CD Review Glyn Phillips

Hambawenah - “Turururu”

"a great affinity to this folk culture"


Hambawenah are a traditionally orientated folk band. They’ve been around since 1996 and have long concentrated on the work songs and recreational music of the Polish bargemen who use their rafts to transport timber and other goods up and down the River Vistula. Researching this lifestyle through oral traditions, ethnographic sources and archives, they have invested much work in trying to preserve the original melodies, dialects and characteristic jargon of the bargees.  Although they do use bass, electric guitar and drumkit alongside the violins and accordion, and you can hear elements of jazz and rock sensibilities, it is done sympathetically and to make the music “more attractive to contemporary listeners, yet not depriving it of its folk character”.


The root part of their name (hamba) translates as ‘journey’. The musicians obviously feel a great affinity to this folk culture and to their specific chosen field and this comes across on the album which has all the pride and assurance of the current generation of Welsh and Scottish folk bands. “Turururu” sweeps you along with the band as they travel along the Vistula of their music.


www.hambawenah.art.pl


www.myspace.com/hambawenah


Management: Grzegorz Switalski: gs@hambawenah.art.pl

Glyn Phillips
WorldMusic.co.uk