JUNKMALES G2 ACOUSTIC STAGE CD/DVD REVIEW

DISCLAIMER - Please note (as per normal) that this review is my personal opinion only and does not necessarily mirror the opinions of all staff at EFUK.

2 Disc set (CD/DVD) recorded in the Czech Republic in 2014.  On Universal (Cze).  16 tracks in total.  Running order for the DVD and the CD are exactly the same.  I'm presuming that the DVD is region 0 as it plays perfectly here in the UK.   I'll be concentrating mainly on the DVD on this review. Comes in a plain jewel case with an insert.  The insert is pretty good and includes a few high definition colour photos.

There are a few extras on the DVD including a photo slide show and an interview with some back stage video footage which is pretty good.

Ewa looks fantastic throughout (if a touch 'sweaty' at times) and the whole thing is filmed really well. It's a really intimate setting with no real 'stage' to speak of.  The audience are really close to the concert which, i'm sure, was pretty special to those that were there.  It's more semi acoustic than strictly acoustic as the band switch from acoustic to electric throughout the show.  They are also joined by 2 female backing singers and a percussionist. A heavily pregnant  Klara Vytiskova from Toxique acts as impromptu MC and joins Ewa for 'Toxique Girls'.

It starts off very well with the first 4 songs benefiting from the re-arrangements but unfortunately it's all a bit downhill from then.  'Toxique Girls' is a bit of fun and i don't really mind it but from then on it dissolves into what i can only describe as a free form Jazz show.  I've made my opinion fairly clear on the whole Jazz 'thing'  many times so unfortunately it's not for me.  If you like that sort of thing you'll probably love it, if not (like me), it's an unpleasant listening experience.

I tried, i really did, to get something from it but was at the point of throwing the disc out of my window when Ewa was joined at one point by a 'beat boxer'  (i kid you not).
In the middle of the show BMM and Mels are slight improvements but the reality is that this is not the Ewa i know and love.  Not by a very long way.  And believe me it really hurts to say these things.

She is clearly enjoying it and it ends with a pretty emotional Sama Sobe.

So there it is.  It's not for me.  It's unlikely that i'll ever play it again and although it was what i was expecting it's all pretty disappointing.  As far as i'm concerned this Jazz experiment is just a vanity project for Ewa and i hope that normal service resumes as soon as possible.  I will find it extremely difficult to continue doing what i do for Ewa if we get much more of this.  I don't understand it and don't particularity want to understand it.

A couple of other thoughts sprung to mind whilst i was watching the DVD.
We are all aware that in the past Ewa has been (unfairly) accused of being, at times, 'shouty'? She has a very strong voice and without the full backing of the band some times this happens on the DVD.  It's a little more evident on the CD.  Or perhaps it's just the style of the songs that makes me feel that.

I also wondered about the band?  We don't really know what influence the band have (if any) on decisions that are made regarding Ewa's career.  I find it very difficult to believe that they are all happy with the direction things are going in.  Are all of them Jazz fans?  I very much doubt it?

Sorry if this is a pretty negative review.  I thought about not posting it at all but have to be honest. As fans i think we are entitled to our opinions.  Good or bad?
Comments etc are more than welcome.

TWO NEW(ISH) COVER PICS

A couple of recent Magazine Cover Pics which i'd forgotten to post.
Both Cze.

IT'S A RAP....AN EWA 'DUET'

Ewa has 'loaned' her considerable vocal talents to Slovakian rapper Majk Spirit (no, me neither) on the above track.
Not much i can say really?  Ewa's vocal is fine but as i don't like rap at all the rest of it does nothing for me I'm afraid.

So, after Jazz and rap what next for Ewa?
A duet with Cannibal Corpse perhaps? :-)

Your Favourite Ewa Farna album?

As the UK goes to the Polls tomorrow, I thought we'd have our own worthwhile poll here at EFUK!

• Which is your favourite official Ewa Farna album?

So, it's that simple! Simply post just the title name of your favourite official Ewa album in the comments section on here below (or in the EFUK Facebook page post if you like) 'vote' until next Wednesday evening to give everyone time to think about it/see this post - then we'll announce the favourite Ewa album once all the votes have been counted on the Thursday!

Well... I say it's 'simple', but Ewa has done so many amazing albums, choosing just one is not going to be easy!

Come ye come all! Let's see which album comes out on top, and support! :)

PM

About Acoustic Tour

Hey All!
I wanted to write a short report from the Trinec show (my first on this tour and my first for several looong months) but after reading some totally different opinions about the new versions of some songs I decided to take my opportunity to join in that discussion.

First thing is that all Ewa's fans who have never been on an " acoustic style" tour, is that those shows are some of the best prepared in Ewa's career. Most of you can ask what about eg. "Bliz ke hvezdam" - Ewa's first tour... well it's similar but not the same. Everyone is still talking about when Farna became "adult" etc. I think that those are empty words.. like so what she turned 18 and even 21?  Age is just a number! (wait until your 50 Paulina....ed) But this Trinec show convinced me. She is now much more mature and we saw this not only in the professional organisation, her confidence on stage, but mostly in the emotions she showed us on stage. I don't want to write here about her most emotive song "Przepraszam"/"Sorry" because I know for most fans and for Ewa of course it is a difficult one and to be honest I'm not sure if it should be performed on tour?

The emotions I want to talk about are less obvious. I mean, Ewa totally cares about the band, about what's happening on stage and ... in the audience! I got the impression that she is more aware now of everything around her and at the same time gave everything to the songs and is just having fun. Only a more mature performer can balance all those different aspects perfectly.

Another thing about the new arrangements. They are really impressive! I know that some people (even one of EFUK members!:)) have different opinions. I have always liked some acoustic-jazzy variations and it is really nice to hear how Ewa and the band have fun playing old songs and at the same time enjoying the music and improvising? Um and one more thing - new guitarist Lukas Chromek is amazing, good that he had few solos ;)


To finish... if it's impossible for you to be at any of shows from current tour at least please check CD/DVD "G2 acoustic stage" recorded for Czech TV Ocko and try to understand and feel the new arrangements ;)

Pics from Trinec here - Ewa Farna's Gallery
Most of songs from Trinec here - MagdaaTV

Peace!
Paulina

And Another One Bites The Dust...

Well, it's a bit of a sad sign of the times, as more and more music stations on Satellite (and all platforms) seem to be dropping like flies! I discovered Ewa via a music station via the 'Hotbird' satellite, it would seem as if channels on this Satellite are going from Satellite and moving, and taking more of an online presence (much like Virgin TV have done previously), 4fun.tv etc. It's not the first lot to go, and it's certainly not going to be the last, but it's another one gone, another one bitten the dust. Having a dedicated Satellite system simply to find music is becoming that much more pointless month by month.

It's becoming harder in the UK to find good/decent music, and harder still for the artists to be discovered/promoted. Yes, online is the way it is going, yes, it's also cheaper...but online it's harder to find anything as their is SO much stuff out there of varying quality - this is why EFUK is so important - it's helping other likeminded people from the UK engage with good music again and with other fans, while also giving a place to find Ewa stuff.

As more and more TV music stations fall, it's more important for the music sites to be there to fill a gap, some how. While there are still some on there, the one I found Ewa on has gone, and that's sad - I think the TV/Music companies have this wrong. What will they do when YouTube and whatever online services have had their day? How are artists to get their song out-there to new fans? I discovered about 80% of my favourite music/artists via TV stations and I know I'm not the only one. As artists like Ewa move to genres less favoured by the pop market, they need all the promotion they can get - this move by TV stations is another reason why artists aren't selling records, tickets or getting their music heard and thus record labels give up when it all fails. I dread this happening. I'm certainly not giving in, actually it drives me on to do more as people need to hear good music again - the UK is flooded with junk music/ TV music stations.

Ewa & artists like her need their message spreading further across the world -  that they write and produce good music (there isn't enough of it around these days!)

So, I end this blog post with the first song I ever heard of Ewa's La La Laj - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWMb9lGiHCg&spfreload=10

If anyone ever discovers a new outlet/channel for good, Polish, Czech (or anywhere non-english speaking actually) music, let us know and we'll get the word out.

PM

NEW CD/DVD COVER IMAGE RELEASED

The final cover art for Ewa's new CD/DVD Live acoustic album has been released for the Czech/Slovak market.
Release date is planned for sometime later in April.
Pre orders are available from the usual Czech and Slovak retailers.