Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Location: Ljubljana / Cvetličarna / Slovenia
Concert date: 02.04.2016
Attendance: 350
After a few years away, the legendary Macedonian guitar virtuoso Vlatko Stefanovski returned to Slovenia. »Is the show even happening? Has it maybe been cancelled?« I wondered as the photographer and I stood in front of »Cvetličarna« in Ljubljana at 8:45 PM, with barely a handful of people outside the hall. But lo and behold, my fears were unfounded: within just a few minutes a few dozen people had gathered, though still a bit thin for a hall like this, since everyone could have stood right up against the stage.
The organizers wisely stalled the start of the show with a mix of music over the PA. No worries, the hall filled up, and at 10:10 PM the gig kicked off. Guitar legend Vlatko Stefanovski, drummer Dejan Dino Milosavljević and bassist Đoko Maksimovski took the stage, and a rock-blues-jazz evening with Macedonian folk melos as its red thread got underway.
The concert was a winning combination for all fans of “Balkan-meets-the-world” guitar playing, backed by a powerful and above all excellent rhythm section that stirred up an unusual feeling of comfort, peace and happiness in the crowd, since it was played with flawless technique and carried by the genuine accompaniment of the Macedonian soul. The musicians played quite a spread of songs (note: not necessarily in exactly this order, or maybe so), from Makedonsko devojče, Si zaljubiv edno mome, Fokusiram i zumiram, Seir, Jovano-Jovanke,Fosforna mesečina, Deca na sonceto, Guitar tzar, 7/8 oro, Ne si go prodavaj Koljo Ciflikot, Kalajdžisko Oro, Gipsy song, Kumova slama, Čuvam noć od budnih, Mamurni ljudi, Skopje, Kao kakao, Čukni vo drvo, Uči me majko, karaj me, Texas flood and Bistra voda…and wrapped up at 11:55 PM. After a short break and tireless applause from the crowd, which hinted at an »encore«, they played two more songs and bowed out with dignity, and above all with ovations and a satisfied audience.
Who is Vlatko Stefanovski, and why can he do this, and so well? That’s a matter of general musical knowledge; nothing but praise has ever been written about him, and every single musician mentions him with nothing but respect. Back in the days of the band »Leb i sol« (in the seventies) his skill was already recognizable, but over four decades of a phenomenal career he has sculpted himself into an outstanding guitarist and singer-songwriter, and for many musicians it’s surely an immeasurable honor to work with him. Hearing him live in any lineup is always an experience that stays etched in your memory.
What is there to say about the goings-on on stage? A seasoned, static performance with the help of a few spotlights, modest stage lighting and a bit of haze, yet at the same time a concert of excellent technical execution. A show for an audience that doesn’t demand spectacle, but definitely a show for discerning listeners of this kind of music. While watching it, it struck me that there really aren’t many guitarists in the world with technique and talent like Vlatko Stefanovski’s. And we must by no means forget his two “sidemen,” who literally round out his guitar-playing and singing style, and who got to show off their talent through brilliant solos of their own and quite a few mini-solos within the songs.
What is there to say about what was happening in front of the stage? The crowd was a generational mix, in tune with every period of Vlatko Stefanovski’s music, though fans of the »Leb i sol« era clearly led the way. Many of them still understand a bit of Macedonian and know the lyrics, which is why the old hits »Čukni vo drvo«, »Čuvam noć od budnih«, »Uči me majko, karaj me« … were sung fluently and in unison in Macedonian.
People were having a blast, and the room was full of vivid, emotional reactions. There was dancing, singing and listening to the great music of a guitarist of world stature.
The rhythm of »Jen dva, jen dva, jen dva tri…« may be unusual, but it’s so special that it can crawl under your skin and stay there forever, just like Vlatko Stefanovski himself. From the first gig years ago to the show at »Cvetličarna« on April 2, 2016, the feeling is the same: » I want more.«
text: Jani Dolenc
photos: Miha Dolenc
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