Kalemegdan Disk - ROCK FROM EASTERN EUROPE

Supraphon Release Information

A big edition of his essential songs for Kryl’s anniversary, for the first time on vinyl

Karel Kryl would have been 80 years old in April 2024, and this year also marks the passing of three decades since his sadly premature death. Today, the term songwriter often takes on a slightly different meaning, but here we are talking about a poet who conveyed richly written messages with the help of his unique voice and guitar. A member of the Vysocky or Okudžava family, but a thoroughly Czechoslovakian Moravian, at once sensitive and a poignant witness of a difficult time.

His compositions have often been humanized, as they gave hope and courage to all of us at home, even to those in exile. This selection is also extraordinary because it is so to speak “from the last hand”, since in 1993 Kryl himself corrected and approved the suggestions of Petr Dorůžka. This is also why the album is not strictly chronological, but creates a new internal logic of listening. Karel Kryl’s most typical themes are compiled from the albums “Bratříčku, zavírej vrátka” (Little Brother, Close the Door), “Rakovina” (Cancer), “Maškary” (Masquerades), “Karavana mraků” (Caravan of Clouds) and “Tekuté písky” (Quicksand), and are supplemented by the song “Děkuji” (Thank You) from the EP “Carmina resurrectionis” (Songs of the resurrection).

The original CD has now been transformed into a double LP, optimally edited in sound and with a cover providing space for accompanying commentary and rare examples of Kryl’s artistic talent. It’s a listening experience that is not only historically enlightening. Of course, it refers primarily to the 1960s through the 1980s, but in many cases the themes and processing are perfectly in touch with today’s listeners of all generations. This reissue is a tribute to an extraordinary man and versatile craftsman, his songs forming not only a permanent part of our cultural milieu, but indeed of each of us.

Full album: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_myNZn4kqYRuhhE3dxStw3JEf4CSpEAquA

Tracklist

Side A

1. Král a klaun – ℗ 1969 4:11
2. Veličenstvo Kat – ℗ 1969 4:45
3. Tak vás tu máme – ℗ 1969 1:15
4. Divný kníže – ℗ 1969 5:46
5. Anděl – ℗ 1969 3:08
6. Hle, jak se perou – ℗ 1969 1:46

Side B

1. Morituri te salutant – ℗ 1969 3:12
2. Ukolébavka – ℗ 1990 3:28
3. Nevidomá dívka – ℗ 1969 4:28
4. Lásko! – ℗ 1970 3:34
5. Pochod Gustapa – ℗ 1969 1:21
6. Tekuté písky – ℗ 1990 6:21

Side C

1. Sametové jaro – ℗ 1990 2:26
2. Píseň neznámého vojína – ℗ 1969 2:42
3. Rakovina – ℗ 1969 5:42
4. Maškary – ℗ 1970 2:21
5. Marat ve vaně – ℗ 1969 3:29
6. Bludný Holanďan – ℗ 1970 2:59

Side D

1. Září – ℗ 1990 2:10
2. Co řeknou – ℗ 1969 0:58
3. Habet – ℗ 1969 2:18
4. Bratříčku, zavírej vrátka – ℗ 1969 2:15
5. Děkuji – ℗ 1974 3:21
Bonus:
6. Karavana mraků – ℗ 1979 4:14