Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Klarisa Jovanovič & Della Segodba
Label: Celinka
Release: 2016
Rating: 4.5/5
Three years after the release of »Medinteran«, Klarisa Jovanovič and her backing band Della Segodba are back on the scene with a new record titled »Amandolat«. In fact, the new album picks up the musical vision right where the story of »Medinteran« ended, or more precisely, where “Medinteran” left an »open ending«. »Amandolat« is, in other words, its logical continuation. The lineup backing Klarisa on the new album stays unchanged! So it’s exactly the same palette of musicians, guests included.
Over the years, with her one-of-a-kind take on traditional folk songs, Klarisa has become a hugely respected musical artist on the Slovenian scene and internationally too. With her thorough knowledge of folk art, which uncovers the beauty in the mission of many ethnic groups, and with her love of ethno music, she offers on the new album a geographical reinterpretation of traditional folk melodies: from Slovenian Prekmurje to Hungary, and from there she leads us across the Balkan Peninsula (Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia) all the way to Albania, Greece and the south of Italy, and once again Klarisa hasn’t forgotten the heritage of the Sephardic Jews along the way.
Klarisa is a translator. She translates from Modern Greek, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, French and Italian, which of course opened the doors wide for her to such effective and convincing reinterpretations of songs from such diverse geographical origins. The melody of many languages runs in her »blood«, and on top of that she adds an extremely refined sense of musicality and an ability to intuitively slip into individual vocal roles, which lets her breathe aliveness, real life, into the verses with such skill. Klarisa approaches everything with incredible heart and fire. With grace, longing, and a delicate, even shy softness. The mostly melancholic tunes are at the same time perfectly dosed with a moment of mischief, of cheerful playfulness. The first integral element of the instrumental accompaniment, which fits so charmingly into the file of Klarisa’s ethno chanson style, is on one hand Vasko Atanasovski, the »lord of the wind«, who this time follows the development of the songs with exceptional care and keeps the songs in a compact form, while still adding an improvisational touch in the instrumental parts, which is why the album carries elements of jazz, though of course in a subordinate position. The second integral element is Luka Ropret’s guitar, which, with the refined and sensual softness of acoustic filigree, wraps itself around Klarisa’s lovely vocals, totally unobtrusive and unpretentious. At times the guitar sounds as if it were tailor-made for the vocal interpretation
It hardly needs saying that this album feels alive. It develops dynamically. In sound, it’s incredibly authentic. The crew brings extraordinary expression to its own take on the standards, and with undisguised sensuality and passion it moves every single listener, challenging their emotions so pleasantly, even easily, without any effort at all. The interpretation of the songs radiates exceptional experience, even wisdom, from the collective with Klarisa at the helm. That’s why »Amandolat« is such a distinctive album, an album of extraordinary musical charisma.
»Amandolat« will be tailor-made for all fans of Klarisa’s previous two albums with Della Segodba. In fact, the new album stays, in vibe and expression, right where Klarisa feels most at home. That’s also where she’s strongest. So »Amandolat« is, as a result, yet another very special musical document, igniting something completely unique, played throughout with the fantastic feel of an exceptional musical collective.
Lineup
Klarisa Jovanovič – vocals
Vasko Atanasovski – soprano saxophone, flute
Luka Ropret – guitar, oud
Žiga Golob, double bass
Marjan Stanič – percussion
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Jelena Ždrale – violin, backing vocals
Igor Bezget – guitar
Nino de Gleria – double bass
Danilo Ženko – keyboards
Production
Danilo Ženko, Klarisa Jovanovič & Luka Ropret
Track List
1. Akkr Szep Az Erdo Mikor Zold (Hungarian)
2. Thalassa Thalassaki (Greek)
3. Marijo deli bela Kumrijo (Serbian, from Kosovo)
4. Dej mi bože joči sokolove (Croatian, from Međimurje)
5. Točila san čarno vijno (Slovenian, from Prekmurje)
6. Nevesta idi od voda (Macedonian)
7. Por que lloras blanca nina (Sephardic)
8. Ani mori nuse (Albanian, from Kosovo)
9. Jano mori (Macedonian)
10. Agapi mu fidela (Greek, from southern Italy)
11. Addio, addio amore (Italian)
12. Siete modos de guisar las berenjenas (Sephardic)
