Pawlo Humeniuk – King Of The Ukrainian (1993)

Pawlo Humeniuk was a prolific fiddle player with a known catalog of 250-plus recordings. Born in Ukraine in the late 19th century, Humeniuk immigrated to the United States around 1902 and shortly thereafter began his study of the violin. His skill led to gigs at weddings and Ukrainian social events, where it appears he hired available local musicians rather than employing a regular band. This collection of music was recorded in New York between 1925 and 1927 and includes Ukrainian wedding and dance music.

“For collectors of authentic ethnic fiddling another country heard from. Humeniuk an energetic and accomplished fiddler is well backed on these 23 tracks by trombone clarinet piano lyra accordion cymbal (a rustically tuned hammered dulcimer) string bass bandura and lots more.

The tunes shake down into major-key tuneswhich often wheeze and oom-pah with Teutonic complacency and minor/modal tunes reminiscent of the klezmer bands once popular throughout the Ukraine. In fact the notes point out that one cut here `Oh Pidu Ja SzicherWicher’ is also known as `Reb Duvid’s Nign.’ They state: `this widely known old-time Yiddish dance tune can also be heard on early Polish and Swedish recordings.’ … The most amusing portion of this recording is its series of skits: Ukrainian Wedding Garland Weaving Ceremony Party After the Wedding . These 78s dramatized old world celebrations complete with toasts tears jokes and music. Humeniuk and instrumentalists backed comic actor Ewgen Zukowsky and `superbly cracked-voice singer’ Nasza Roza Kresnowska. A sample routine The Christening: `The curtains open with a discussion by the god-parents on the merits of cooking with chicken or pike. Church bells summon them to the baptism as they argue over naming the baby boy: Father prefers Ivan while Mother insists on Hryts.’ While Ewgen has a bit too much fervor to be a George Burns dear Nasza is a ringer for Gracie Allen and cracks me up though I understand not a word of Ukrainian.

Arhoolie’s Chris Strachwitz delights in the backwoods and back-alleys music of unassimilated rural and urban ethnic communities. The classic Arhoolie sound is gnarled and eccentric full of energy revelling in rhythmic melodic and harmonic anomalies. Turn to Arhoolie for a consoling and inspiring reminder that the world was not always suave and homogenous.”

(Jane Peppler — Sing Out!)

Tracklist:

1. Oi Ia Sobi Kozak Lepkii
2. I Ia Toe Divcha Liubliu
3. Iak Zachuiu Kolomyiku
4. Ukrainske Wesilia (Pt.1) (Wedding)
5. Ukrainske Wesilia (Pt.2) (Wedding)
6. Winkopletyny (Garland Weaving Ceremony)
7. Zaruczyny (Engagement Celebration)
8. Poprawiny (Pt.1) (Party After The Wedding)
9. Poprawiny (Pt.2) (Party After The Wedding)
10. Czaban (The Shepherd)
11. Hutzulka (Hutsul Dance)
12. Hraj Abo Hroszi Widdaj
13. Tanec Pid Werbamy
14. Oj Kozacze Bilousyj
15. Na Wesiliu Pry Weczeri
16. Chrestyny (Pt.1) (Christening)
17. Chrestyny (Pt.2) (Christening)
18. Oj Pidu Ja Szicher Wicher
19. Oj Tam Za Lisom (Beyond The Forest)
20. Na Wesiliu Pid Chatoju
21. Wals Bandura (Bandura Waltz)
22. Do Poczajewa Na Widpust
23. Dumka Y Kolomyika


Pawlo Humeniuk – King Of The Ukrainian (1993)
(192 kbps, cover art included)