Nov 25/08
Classic Hungarian Rock, pre-crackdown
These “new posts” are giving me an excuse to armchair research a lot of countries that I really know nothing about. Hungary is a good example. I’ve been to Budapest twice but until recently I only knew it as a beautiful city coming out of the shadow of a 40-year Communist rough patch. There was a rather large gap in my knowledge that fell somewhere between the Habsburgs and the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
I don’t know.. is it because I grew-up in North America that I have such a hard time imagining these European and near-European countries during the second half the 20th century? I get the impression that during the 80s we were taught that civilization ended somewhere in the middle of Germany and didn’t start again until the Korean peninsula.
It turns out that in many areas of the Soviet Union there some periods of positive, cool cultural growth. Musically, for example, there was quite a bit going on behind that Iron Curtain at various times. Hungarians in particular enjoyed periods of relative cultural freedom smack in the middle of their Communist era.
I promise not to ramble on about the cultural history of Soviet-ruled Hungary especially because, as I said, I don’t know much. What I do know is that Budapest experienced a rock’n'roll boom from the late 1960s until the early 70s.
It took me a few days but I’ve managed to throw together a little mixtape of some good Hungarian tunes from this period of Communist-era musical growth in the country. If you’re a big Zombies fan as I am, some of these tracks definitely won’t disappoint. (What is it with the Zombies these days, anyway? They’re suddenly the “band your father was into” for in-bands to reference during an interview. Does this mean that it will one day also be cool to admit owning several Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums? Ok, probably not.. but, yeah, I do.)
We’ll start with a couple tracks by Metró, a very popular Hungarian rock band from the 1960s and 70s. These two lead-off their 1969 self-titled release which you can find re-released on Hungaroton. Looking for the lyrics? I wonder what they’re saying…
Next some more music from Budapest by Illés off their 1969 release, Illesek Es Pofonok. Along with Metró and Omega they were part of what I understand to be a trio of very popular rock groups in Budapest during the late 60s. ‘69 was the year that Beatles released Abbey Road.. comparisons are easy to make. Illés rock it their own way, though.
Omega are up next. I see a lot of incomprehensible Hungarian forum and blog posts on the ‘net about the first track, Gyöngyhajú lány. It was a huge hit and still this is to this day. The title translates into “The Girl With Pearl’s Hair”. Awesome video. It’s off their 1969 release, 10,000 Lepes. I’ve also posted another good track off their 1968 release, Trombitas Fredi.
We’ll finish up with a great, dirty blues track from by Hungarian “super-group”, Lokomotív GT. It was formed in 1971 by members of Omega and Metró. It’s off their 1971 self-titled release.
Unfortunately after about 10 years of musical growth the government cracked-down on rock music in a big way. Many band members left the country and the scene died a quick death. It wouldn’t be until the final years of communist rule, around the end of the 1980s, that (good) contemporary music would once again flourish in the country.
However, as a testament to the cultural resilience of Hungarians the music scene bounced back pretty quickly. As we heard yesterday there are lots of good contemporary sounds coming out of the country these days.
I’d love to hear/learn more about Hungarian music, both old and new. If you’re Hungarian or happen to be into the contemporary Magyar sound please get in touch in the comments.
Metró - Ülök egy rózsaszínû kádban
Metró - Okos szamár
Illés - A beérkezett levelekre válasz
Omega - Gyöngyhajú lány
Omega - Vasarnap
Lokomotív GT - Royal Blues
November 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Matt,
You might want to check this:
http://matula.hu/index.php?section=article&rel=9&id=111
and
http://matula.hu/index.php?section=article&rel=10&id=121
It’s a list of the top 20 Hungarian Bands ever, with a downloadable track by every one of them. Illes and LGT are included here as well. The main problem for non-Hungarian listeneres is that most good Hungarian pop music is very lyrics-centric, since before the fall of communism one of the main points of having a band was to have an outlet for your (sometimes mildly, sometimes not so mildly) subversive ideas.
Off these 20, definitely listen to GM49, Kex and Syrius.
Cheers from Budapest!
November 25th, 2008 at 11:39 am
http://rapidshare.com/users/SV0367
I happen to be hungarian, and a big fan of elbo.ws
Up there it is a link of all albums of a quite successful, but alternative band from the very end of the 90’s, and 00s. : Heaven Street 7. They have just released their newest offering last week. I recommend the albums ‘Budapest Dolls’ and ‘Tudom, hogy szeretsz titokban’. They usually sing in hungarian, but there are some english songs/albums there too.
If you are looking for elektro based guitar music (with the singer of HS7) look for NEO:
http://www.myspace.com/theneoworld
I recommend their songs: Diskhead and Rambo 13. (Rambo 13 has a slightly political, but funny animated video, here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNuy12-cxPw )
Even more alternative - but suprisingly popular and radio friendly- band is called Péterfy Bori and the Love Band:
http://www.myspace.com/peterfybori
Search for their songs: ‘Hajolj bele a hajamba’ (Bend into my hair) and ‘Vámpír’ (Vampire).
And finally, I shall show you what I think represents our heritage from the 70’s nowdays. There is this girl who won a singing contest on national television (something like American Idol, but she’s nothing like Kelly Clarkson or whatever)
She is called Magdi Rúzsa, and she was discovered by the man behind Lokomotiv GT, Mr. Gabor Presser, who is ultimately praised as a national hero in Hungary by his talents. He also produced some tracks for her. She represented Hungary in the Eurovision 2007, but she wasn’t europop at all to win. Nevertheless, she has some very good songs. She has a powerful, rock ballad tone in her voice.
I recommend: ‘Unsubstantial Blues’ and ‘Rövid Utazás’ (Short Journey)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHPMae29iOw and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppIylU4jJYw
OK, really finally - and talking about Mr. Presser - I shall give you a rather moody and somewhat an oldie song now, from the early ninetees. I think this song truly represents out nation’s depressive, pathfinder mood after the fall of the communism.
It is called ‘Nagy Utazás’ (Long Journey)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyLaBbFextI
ENJOY!
November 25th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Oh yeah, and if they ask for a password: hodiii
I don’t think that you could buy these albums, so maybe you should have a try, but up 2 u 2 deciede.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Great - thanks for these links!
November 25th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
One bad-ass track from Illes can be downloaded at
http://waxidermy.com/images/illesek.mp3
November 26th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Bonjour Matt, i have heard a hungarian singer (he sings in english here).It’s jazz and i think he played with another hungarian jazzman, Gabor Gado.
You can hear samples here:
http://new.bmcrecords.hu/pages/frameset/langchange.php?kod=091
P.S.I regret a bit the older version, downloading and Ghana Soundz but have a nice world trip anyway!
November 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hi Matt! I’d like to recommend u some music from the era when u thought Hungarian rock was dead.
Piramis - A becsület (The Honor) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c1mzP616c4
Edda - A hűtlen (The Faithless) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5WPQuqFjGs
P. Mobil - Menj tovább (Go On) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c1mzP616c4
November 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hey, thanks. Blackmore, that’s very cool..
December 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
And don’t forget about the hungarian gipsy goddess Mitsoura Monika!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaePserf9-g&feature=related
She is a real treasure!
Matt, thanx for the senegalese things!
a hungarian Mbalax fan
December 7th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
[...] Hungarian rock. Journey of discovery here and here. [...]
December 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hey Matt!
I’m glad to see that my country is represented in your musical journey!
I’ve always loved to listen the tunes on bennloxo so it’s very pleasing to enjoy our beloved melodies on your blog.
Best wishes,
Gábor Varga from Budapest, Hungary