http://calabashmusic.com/New Music From Vera Bila on Calabash Music2008-12-03T02:24:12ZThe Calabash Music Teamsupport@calabashmusic.comRom - Pophttp://verabila.calabashmusic.com/#album_390592006-11-17T03:00:35ZMusic from Rom - PopWhen it was time to record "Rom - Pop", Vera Bila and Kale had to choose from their vast catalogue of playable repertoire. With the help of the producers, Zuzana Navarova and Vit Sazavsky from Nerez, they selected sixteen songs which they felt represented their roots as well as songs which represent a development and natural progression of traditional gypsy music. Lyrically the songs describe the trials and tribulations of gypsy life. Most songs incorporate the use of fiddles, violas, accordions and a Hungarian instrument called cymbalom. Unlike the commercialized, heavily spanish influenced songs recorded by acts such as the Gypsy Kings, the contents of "ROM-POP" are songs written and recorded for gypsy ears that an outsider can now have the chance to listen to. "Music belongs to our lives, it's tied to our history. It is a living part of us." Says band member Ondrej Gina about the importance of music in gypsy culture.]]>Kale Kalorehttp://verabila.calabashmusic.com/#album_390762006-11-17T03:00:35ZMusic from Kale KaloreVera Bila & Kale 's second album released in 1998 -  Gypsy music when performed by true gypsies is enhanced by a special quality that stems from the performer's easy, rambling way of life. As with the blues, where one cannot sing the blues if one has never felt them, one cannot perform gypsy music if one has not led the life of a gypsy.]]>