Good day to you, friends,
back from Turkey I am and gorgeous golden brown too: I'm sure if you could see me, you wanted to dance around me!
Before I left I ordered a record from a shop in Berlin, something I don't do all too often these days alas (you know how it is: kid needs new shoes and there yer money goes ... ah well!). But on this occasion I couldn't resist, because I wanted this record for nearly 30 years now and it was always rather hard to find for a reasonable price.
Bad thing is that the postman delivered it in the morning of the day our region faced the most severe thunderstorm ever, so my mother in law found the record in the garden the next day, soaken wet of course. So the sleeve is by and large destroyed, but the record is still okay. Also our roof suffered, but this doesn't really count on a music blog, right?
The item in question is 3 Mustaphas 3 - 'From The Balkans To Your Heart', basically a compilation of everything the band did for the John Peel Show from 1983 - 1985. Now, some of you might wonder who 3 Mustaphas 3 might possibly be, the back of the sleeve tells it all:
"It was in the concentrated little border town of Szegerely that the five brothers and their uncle were born. Together they share the same noble name and heroic intentions: MUSTAPHA - From The Balkans To Your Heart!
Patrel Mustapha bin Mustapha is the bandboys' uncle who sings and plays the bouzouk. Known as the >self-employed wolf<, he is a loved but reluctant Balkan film star whose steely determination convinced his nephews that they should concentrate on music, not just at home but internationally.
Hijaz Mustapha is the group's violinist, host and archivist. He is a balkan Champion fiddler and can greet people in ten languages.
Houzam Mustapha plays the drum set and cymbals. Already a son and nephew, he is now the proud father of Young Mustapha. He is a graduate of the Carpathian Grain and Vine Institute and carefully guards his family's diet on their visits with low-grade potatoes.
The nightly rooftop Accordion serenades high above the Crazy Loquat Club of Szegerely earned Niaveti Mustapha III rapturous applause from a loving public who wish him much success abroad.
Oussack Mustapha is the romantic self-effacing >cello player who holds aloft the feathered crown of song - a gesture worthy of his familiar depiction as the Nightingale of Szegerely<.
Brutal but sentimental, Isfa'ani V.T. Mustapha proves time and again that few words do not indicate few talents. Acknowledged mastery of many percussion styles heighten the enthusiasm of his brothers and uncle.
When on visit with a delegation (visa speciale Import/Export) modest sister Fat'mah Mustapha is leading with the balkan trombone.
Together from their balkan dance-house experiences, 3 Mustaphas 3 have forged a new dimension in international music."
Well, I'm all for that, I must say. Certainly the best liner notes on a sleeve since Galaxie 500's 'On Fire'. But enough of that, here's the tune I picked for you (and the reason why I wanted this LP so badly): a real masterpiece of our time, a fireside chat with the Master Uncle of storytelling, recalling recent events at home in Szegerely:
mp3: 3 Mustaphas 3 - 'A Chilling Tale Pt. 5' (broadcast first for John Peel 30/1/84)
I only hope at least one or two of you found this as amusing as I do: please let me know, will you?
Have fun,
Dirk
2 comments:
It's good to hear that you worked on your tan and had a good time. Thank you for bringing back 3 Mustaphas 3. A band that was very underrated in our times. I doesn't have a record from them - only some cuts on tape. It's awesome music - like Sir John used to play.
Welcome back, Dirk. This is my first brush with the great 3 Mustaphas 3. I wished for some cabbage rolls and coffee while they spun their yarns. Thanks.
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