The following was contributed by MPA President Steve Harris:
VITAK-ELSNIC RETURNS TO THE MUSIC SCENE
Music Publishers of America just released “Then and Now”, an album featuring The Vitak-Elsnic All-Star Band led by Alex Meixner, performing polkas & waltzes from the V-E portfolio.
Hear song clips and view a video of “Snow Waltz” from Then and Now:
http://musicpublishersofamerica.com/mpa-releases-new-album-then-and-now/
“Then and Now” is the company’s first venture into recording V-E music, part of its objective of reintroducing the Vitak-Elsnic brand to a new generation of music lovers.
“This album has a little bit of something for everybody, including
people not that familiar with polka music,” said MPA President Steve Harris. “Some songs are played as originally published by V-E decades ago. But others are completely new arrangements from Alex Meixner.”
Meixner is a Grammy-nominated performing and recording artist, music producer and MPA Vice President. “And there’s another twist,” Harris said. “We’ve added brand-new English lyrics to some songs that either never had them or that were originally in Czech or Polish.” There are 14 songs on the CD, all of which were initially published as V-E arrangements. Standards like “Red Raven Polka” and “Snow Waltz” are joined by newly-rediscovered songs like the jaunty Crackerjack Polka and the
haunting Last Kiss Waltz.
The Vitak-Elsnic All-Star Band, led by Meixner, was pulled together specifically for this project. “Each musician brought a unique style and skill set to the studio, and the end result turned out beautifully”, Meixner said. In addition to Meixner, Grammy-nominated Hank Guzevich of Polka Family as well as recording veterans Michael Morris, Ed Klancnik, Don Hunjadi, Joe Tierney, Richard Watson and Sam Broeniman round out the band.
Meixner, Guzevich and Morris as well as the phenomenal Abby Broeniman perform vocals. “Abby is simply awesome,” Harris stated. “She sings from the heart and really delivers.”
Selections include:
1. Red Raven Polka (Alex Meixner vocals)
2. Helena Polka
3. Nina Bailando/Pretty Dancing Girl (Hank Guzevich and Michael Morris vocals)
4. Snow Waltz (Abby Broeniman vocals)
5. Crackerjack Polka
6. Last Kiss Waltz
7. Rain Rain Polka (Michael Morris and Abby Broeniman vocals)
8. Tinker Polka (Abby Broeniman vocals)
9. Innocence Waltz
10. Julida Polka (Hank Guzevich vocals)
11. Chicago Waltz (Abby Broeniman vocals)
12. Holzauction Schottische
13. Schneider Polka
14. A Night in May Waltz (Abby Broeniman vocals)
Music Publishers of America Website: http://musicpublishersofamerica.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicpublishersofamerica
Snow Waltz Video: https://youtu.be/f6DMMLcSpQ4
For more information, DJ copies or to schedule an interview, contact:
Steve Harris:steve@musicpublishersofamerica.com or call
MPA on 855-686-8742
