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Rootstime - Belgium: “Discover this great blues harp blower from Croatia! “
Tomislav Goluban uit Zagorje, is een Kroatische blues muzikant, zanger en mondharmonicaspeler. Hij is op de eerste plaats een blues harmonicaspeler en doet dit al sinds 1997 live en ondertussen ook op meerdere albums. De eerste albums nam hij op met de “Little Pigeon’s ForHill Blues” band. Vanaf 2010 trekt hij ook voor solo werk de studio in. Goluban zoekt zijn inspiratie o.a. bij Sonny Terry, Slim Harpo, Paul Butterfield, Gary Primich en Kim Wilson. Voor de overige biografische info verwijs ik iedereen naar zijn website, die spijtig genoeg niet altijd in het Engels vertaald is. U bent m.a.w. verwittigd.
In een studio in Tugonica in Hrvatska, Kroatië is het zesde en nieuwe album “Blow Junkie” van Tomislav Goluban opgenomen. Het is een album met niet minder dan zestien, op één na allemaal originele tracks. Voor zijn nieuwe album kreeg hij de hulp van Lovro Šicel (gitaar), Aleksandar Vešić (bas), Igor Vugrek (drums) en Nebojša Buhin (tremolo gitaar).Eric Noden en Joe Filisko, twee collega harpisten, hielpen hem bij het schrijven van de songs.
”Harp Rockin’”, een korte instrumentale rocker opent het album. Voor de meeste nummers schreef Goluban zowel de tekst als de muziek. Voor enkele nummers zoals “what’s in a name” de boogie ”Blow Junkie Boogie”, het zwoele ”Electric Lights” en de titel song ”Blow Junkie” schreef collega songwriter (een Amerikaan die in Kroatië woont - niet te verwarren met de échte!) Robert Lon Johnson de teksten. ”Gambler’s Blues” typeert zowat de “normale” zang van Goluban en laat ook gastgitarist Nebojša Buhin, die een tremolo gitaar omgehangen heeft, horen. PS. Let hier ook even op de boodschap van de zanger! Dan is er ”On The Roof” met Lovro Šicel, die opent op zijn sigaar box en die voor de nodige slides zorgt. En, “by the way”, in het Zuiden moet je zijn, want daar dansen ze op het dak. Voor de jazzy track ”Blues For Mother Earth” blaast Goluban op een chromatisch harmonica, om daarna te vervolgen met een tweede (korte) instrumental ”Boogie 44”. ”Drivin’ & Ridin’” is even funky en is een ode aan “your machine”. Goluban gaat verder met opnieuw een boogie ”Forhill’s Boogie” en zakt daarvoor letterlijk een octaaf met zijn stem. Idem dito geldt voor ”Two Rockets”,om daarna te pauzeren met een slow blues ”Until The Morning Comes”; waarbij de luisteraar na al dat dansen, net niet in slap valt. Derde en voorlaatste instrumental ”Freedom King” (de rustige kampvuur afsluiter ”Springtime Fever” is de laatste). Mel London’s ”Messin With The Kid” is (zoals hij dat vaker doet) Goluban’s ode aan een van zijn ligustere voorgangers. Het nummer, een blues standard, dat we ook van Junior Wells en Muddy Waters kennen, wordt toegeschreven aan Mel Londen, die ook de eigenaar van ‘Chief Records’ was. We ronden de recensie af met ”Speedin’ Train”,dat in Kroatië al gekend was in een pop variant.
Tomislav Goluban mag zich een echte “Blow Junkie” noemen. Met dit prima harmonica blues album, kan je kennis maken met blues uit Kroatië, een land waarvan je niet direct blues en roots muziek verwacht. Laat je zeker eens verassen door Tomislav Goluban - Lovro Šicel - Aleksandar Vešić - Igor Vugrek & Nebojša Buhin!
Tomislav Goluban from Zagorje, is a Croatian blues musician, singer and harmonica player. He is primarily a blues harmonica player and has been doing this since 1997 and now also live on multiple albums. The first album he recorded with the "Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues" band. From 2010 he also draws the studio to work solo. Goluban seeks his inspiration amongst others by Sonny Terry, Slim Harpo, Paul Butterfield, Gary Primich and Kim Wilson. For other biographical information, I refer everyone to his website, which is unfortunately not always translated into English. You are notified in other words.
In a studio in Tugonica in Hrvatska, Croatia is the sixth and latest album "Blow Junkie" by Tomislav Goluban recorded. It is an album with no less than sixteen, all but one original tracks. For his new album, he gave Lovro Sicel help (guitar), Aleksandar Vesic (bass), Igor Vugrek (drums) and Nebojša BUHIN (tremolo guitar) .Eric Needs and Joe Filisko, two fellow harpists, helped him in writing the songs.
"Harp Rockin '," a short instrumental rocker opens the album. For most of the songs written Goluban both the text and the music. For some songs, such as "what's in a name" boogie "Blow Junkie Boogie", the sultry "Electric Lights" and the title song "Blow Junkie" wrote fellow songwriter (an American living in Croatia - not to be confused with the real! ) Robert Lon Johnson texts. "Gambler's Blues" typifies almost "normal" singing Goluban and also allows guest guitarist Nebojša BUHIN, which has hung around a tremolo guitar, hear. PS. Note here also as the message of the singer! Then there's "On The Roof" with Lovro Sicel, which opens on his cigar box, which provides the necessary slides. And, "by the way" in the South need to be, because they dance on the roof. For the jazzy track "Blues For Mother Earth" Goluban blowing a chromatic harmonica, to then continue with a second (short) instrumental "Boogie 44". "Drivin '& Ridin'" is equally funky and is a tribute to "your machine". Goluban continues with another boogie "Forhill's Boogie" and before that literally drops his voice an octave. Ditto goes for "Two Rockets" to pause after a slow blues "Until The Morning Comes"; whereby the listener after all that dancing, just do not fall into limp. Third and penultimate instrumental "Freedom King" (the quiet campfire valve "Springtime Fever" is the last). Mel London's "Messin 'With The Kid" (as he does often) Goluban's tribute to one of his predecessors ligustere. The song, a blues standard, we also know from Junior Wells and Muddy Waters, is attributed to Mel London, who was also the owner of 'Chief Records. We conclude the review with "Speedin 'Train", which was already known in Croatia in a pop version.
Tomislav Goluban can call itself a true "Blow Junkie". With this great harmonica blues album, you can get acquainted with blues from Croatia, a country where you do not really expect blues and roots music. Let yourself be sure to check surprise by Tomislav Goluban - Lovro Sicel - Aleksandar Vesic - Igor Vugrek & Nebojša Buhin!
ROOTSTIME - Eric Schuurmans, BELGIUM , August 2015
Rootstime - Belgium: “Discover this great blues harp blower from Croatia! “
Tomislav Goluban uit Zagorje, is een Kroatische blues muzikant, zanger en mondharmonicaspeler. Hij is op de eerste plaats een blues harmonicaspeler en doet dit al sinds 1997 live en ondertussen ook op meerdere albums. De eerste albums nam hij op met de “Little Pigeon’s ForHill Blues” band. Vanaf 2010 trekt hij ook voor solo werk de studio in. Goluban zoekt zijn inspiratie o.a. bij Sonny Terry, Slim Harpo, Paul Butterfield, Gary Primich en Kim Wilson. Voor de overige biografische info verwijs ik iedereen naar zijn website, die spijtig genoeg niet altijd in het Engels vertaald is. U bent m.a.w. verwittigd.
In een studio in Tugonica in Hrvatska, Kroatië is het zesde en nieuwe album “Blow Junkie” van Tomislav Goluban opgenomen. Het is een album met niet minder dan zestien, op één na allemaal originele tracks. Voor zijn nieuwe album kreeg hij de hulp van Lovro Šicel (gitaar), Aleksandar Vešić (bas), Igor Vugrek (drums) en Nebojša Buhin (tremolo gitaar).Eric Noden en Joe Filisko, twee collega harpisten, hielpen hem bij het schrijven van de songs.
”Harp Rockin’”, een korte instrumentale rocker opent het album. Voor de meeste nummers schreef Goluban zowel de tekst als de muziek. Voor enkele nummers zoals “what’s in a name” de boogie ”Blow Junkie Boogie”, het zwoele ”Electric Lights” en de titel song ”Blow Junkie” schreef collega songwriter (een Amerikaan die in Kroatië woont - niet te verwarren met de échte!) Robert Lon Johnson de teksten. ”Gambler’s Blues” typeert zowat de “normale” zang van Goluban en laat ook gastgitarist Nebojša Buhin, die een tremolo gitaar omgehangen heeft, horen. PS. Let hier ook even op de boodschap van de zanger! Dan is er ”On The Roof” met Lovro Šicel, die opent op zijn sigaar box en die voor de nodige slides zorgt. En, “by the way”, in het Zuiden moet je zijn, want daar dansen ze op het dak. Voor de jazzy track ”Blues For Mother Earth” blaast Goluban op een chromatisch harmonica, om daarna te vervolgen met een tweede (korte) instrumental ”Boogie 44”. ”Drivin’ & Ridin’” is even funky en is een ode aan “your machine”. Goluban gaat verder met opnieuw een boogie ”Forhill’s Boogie” en zakt daarvoor letterlijk een octaaf met zijn stem. Idem dito geldt voor ”Two Rockets”,om daarna te pauzeren met een slow blues ”Until The Morning Comes”; waarbij de luisteraar na al dat dansen, net niet in slap valt. Derde en voorlaatste instrumental ”Freedom King” (de rustige kampvuur afsluiter ”Springtime Fever” is de laatste). Mel London’s ”Messin With The Kid” is (zoals hij dat vaker doet) Goluban’s ode aan een van zijn ligustere voorgangers. Het nummer, een blues standard, dat we ook van Junior Wells en Muddy Waters kennen, wordt toegeschreven aan Mel Londen, die ook de eigenaar van ‘Chief Records’ was. We ronden de recensie af met ”Speedin’ Train”,dat in Kroatië al gekend was in een pop variant.
Tomislav Goluban mag zich een echte “Blow Junkie” noemen. Met dit prima harmonica blues album, kan je kennis maken met blues uit Kroatië, een land waarvan je niet direct blues en roots muziek verwacht. Laat je zeker eens verassen door Tomislav Goluban - Lovro Šicel - Aleksandar Vešić - Igor Vugrek & Nebojša Buhin!
Tomislav Goluban from Zagorje, is a Croatian blues musician, singer and harmonica player. He is primarily a blues harmonica player and has been doing this since 1997 and now also live on multiple albums. The first album he recorded with the "Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues" band. From 2010 he also draws the studio to work solo. Goluban seeks his inspiration amongst others by Sonny Terry, Slim Harpo, Paul Butterfield, Gary Primich and Kim Wilson. For other biographical information, I refer everyone to his website, which is unfortunately not always translated into English. You are notified in other words.
In a studio in Tugonica in Hrvatska, Croatia is the sixth and latest album "Blow Junkie" by Tomislav Goluban recorded. It is an album with no less than sixteen, all but one original tracks. For his new album, he gave Lovro Sicel help (guitar), Aleksandar Vesic (bass), Igor Vugrek (drums) and Nebojša BUHIN (tremolo guitar) .Eric Needs and Joe Filisko, two fellow harpists, helped him in writing the songs.
"Harp Rockin '," a short instrumental rocker opens the album. For most of the songs written Goluban both the text and the music. For some songs, such as "what's in a name" boogie "Blow Junkie Boogie", the sultry "Electric Lights" and the title song "Blow Junkie" wrote fellow songwriter (an American living in Croatia - not to be confused with the real! ) Robert Lon Johnson texts. "Gambler's Blues" typifies almost "normal" singing Goluban and also allows guest guitarist Nebojša BUHIN, which has hung around a tremolo guitar, hear. PS. Note here also as the message of the singer! Then there's "On The Roof" with Lovro Sicel, which opens on his cigar box, which provides the necessary slides. And, "by the way" in the South need to be, because they dance on the roof. For the jazzy track "Blues For Mother Earth" Goluban blowing a chromatic harmonica, to then continue with a second (short) instrumental "Boogie 44". "Drivin '& Ridin'" is equally funky and is a tribute to "your machine". Goluban continues with another boogie "Forhill's Boogie" and before that literally drops his voice an octave. Ditto goes for "Two Rockets" to pause after a slow blues "Until The Morning Comes"; whereby the listener after all that dancing, just do not fall into limp. Third and penultimate instrumental "Freedom King" (the quiet campfire valve "Springtime Fever" is the last). Mel London's "Messin 'With The Kid" (as he does often) Goluban's tribute to one of his predecessors ligustere. The song, a blues standard, we also know from Junior Wells and Muddy Waters, is attributed to Mel London, who was also the owner of 'Chief Records. We conclude the review with "Speedin 'Train", which was already known in Croatia in a pop version.
Tomislav Goluban can call itself a true "Blow Junkie". With this great harmonica blues album, you can get acquainted with blues from Croatia, a country where you do not really expect blues and roots music. Let yourself be sure to check surprise by Tomislav Goluban - Lovro Sicel - Aleksandar Vesic - Igor Vugrek & Nebojša Buhin!
- Eric Schuurmans, BELGIUM , August 2015
BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE - Issue 9-24 June11, 2015, John Mitchell (USA)
Croatian musician Tomislav Goluban has been playing harp since 1997 and finds his inspiration among US players such as Paul Butterfield, Kim Wilson and Gary Primich. Two contemporary harp players, Joe Filisko and Eric Noden are credited for their assistance with songwriting on this CD. The material is all original bar one cover and was mainly written by Tomislav, with assistance on four songs by expat American Robert Lon Johnson (not that Robert Johnson) who lived and played in Croatia for a period of time and collaborated with Tomislav. The band is Tomislav on harp and vocals, Lovro Sicel on guitar and B/V, Aleksandar Vesic on bass and Igor Vugrek on drums. Additional guitar on one track is by Nebojsa Buhin.
The CD opens with an instrumental appropriately entitled “Harp Rockin’”. “Blow Junkie Boogie” follows with some dirty slide work underneath the harp, a solid boogie rhythm being maintained throughout. From the lyrics we gather that the ‘blow’ that interests Tomislav is through his harp, not illegal substances! Tomislav sings in quite a deep voice with an accent but the lyrics are perfectly understandable on most tracks; it is only really when Tomislav tackles the cover song that one really hears the difference as the lyrics are so familiar.
“Electric Lights” drops the pace a little and “Gambler’s Blues” is an attractive tune with some echoey guitar from guest Nebojsa and some good picking by Lovro as Tomislav recounts the story of an addiction to the tables, as well as taking a solid solo on harp which also complements that echoey guitar sound. “On The Roof” ups the pace with some cigar box slide work as Tomislav tells us about people “dancing on the roof” after he “moved down south to play some blues” – one of the standout tracks here. “Blues For Mother Earth” bears some similarity lyrically to the Memphis Slim song but is wrapped up in a breezy pop tune that talks of ‘peace and love’ with some more good picking from Lovro and harp by Tomislav. The instrumental “Boogie 44” acts as an intermission on the album at the half way point with Tomislav playing brightly over the foot-tapping rhythm.
“Drivin’ And Ridin’” is a funky tune about…driving around in a car! Another boogie number entitled “Forhill’s Boogie” precedes “Two Rockets”; on both these songs Tomislav sings in a deeper voice which does not always make for easy understanding. “Two Rockets” borrows a little from “Bullfrog Blues” in its lyrical structure but whips along enjoyably. The band drops the pace for “Until The Morning Comes”, Tomislav’s harp having something of a campfire feel as befits a tune with a country feel.
“Freedom King” is another instrumental with some tough harp on top of a rocking riff before the cover of Mel London’s “Messin With The Kid” appears. Tomislav feels that “every blues album must have at least one cover song to pay tribute to the legends”; this is his choice here and his playing is very good indeed. “Speedin’ Train” was apparently a pop hit in Croatia and Tomislav and his American friend RLJ translated it into English and to a blues idiom. As befits the title the track increases in pace and Tomislav produces some fine ‘train’ sounds on his harp. A second version of the title track, this time simply entitled “Blow Junkie” is set at a less frenetic pace than the first version earlier on the album. “Springtime Fever” closes the album with a laidback instrumental on which Tomislav hits some very low notes on the harp.
This was the first time that Croatian blues has crossed this reviewer’s path and it is good to hear the enthusiasm that people in countries distant from the USA have for the music we all enjoy. This album is well-crafted and recorded and deserves a listen. Good luck to Tomislav and his band in spreading the blues word in Croatia.
Me Myself Music and Mysteries - Ed Karn, May 16, 2015 (USA)
The other day when I was reviewing the Roots Music Reports latest Blues Chart I was intrigued by the album at number 49 Blow Junkie from Tomislav Goluban. First, I was taken aback by the album seemingly drug referenced title. But then I looked more closely at the album cover I saw the harmonica and then I understood! And then there was the artist’s name Tomislav sounds a little Eastern European to me. So I made a quick trip to Spotify, downloaded the album onto the iPhone and gave it a listen on a run to do some errands yesterday morning! From the opening songs “Harp’ Rockin'” and “Blow Junkie Boogie” this album's good time feel had me...
Bottom Line: Blow Junkie is a terrific blues album from a great young blues artist from Croatia Tomislav Goluban, crisp blues harp with nice vocals and a good supporting cast! So Check It Out! As for me, I have five other Tomislav Goluban albums to check out!
"Blow Junkie" entered The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Blues Album Chart for the Week of May 13, 2015
Novi album Tomislava Golubana „Blow Junkie“ netom prije službene promocije u Zagrebu počeo je „prašiti“ po svim geografskim širinama i dužinama. Blues ovisnici ga već obožavaju, inozemne radio postaje naveliko emitiraju, a kritika hvali. Kruna svega je prvo mjesto radijske mjesečne Blues Top 25 liste albuma u emisiji „Blues Summit“, Conway, New Hampshire, 93.5 WMWV-FM i četvrto mjesto u emisiji „C.B. Roy‘s Mostly Blues“ WWCU-FM na Sveučilištu Zapadne Karoline.
U eteru inozemnih radio postaja „Blow Junkie“ je zabilježio nevjerojatan odjek koji je začudio i samog Golubana: „Album sam radio s namjerom da inozemstvo podsjetim da postojim, ali ovako pozitivna reakcija me zbilja iznenadila. Čak su se neki urednici javili da se sjećaju prethodnih albuma, pa se dodatno veselim jer se izgleda moja diskografija vani s pozornošću prati.“
Massimo Ferro, radijski urednik talijanske emisije „Highway 61“, Golubanov album „Blow Junkie“ proglasio je „... one of the best I heard from a European blues musician recently“, a Luksemburški Radio ARA kaže da „album donosi kratke, dobro osmišljene, raznolike i privlačane pjesme“.
„Sirius XM“ je satelitski radio u Americi na kojem između ostalih radi i legendarni američki DJ Howard Stern. B.B. Kingov kanal koji emitira blues glazbu u sklopu Siriusa, uvrstio je vjerojatno prvog hrvatskog izvođača u svoj program. Naime, odabrali su dvije Golubanove pjesme za svoju playlistu. Mailovi odobrenja počeli su stizati nekoliko minuta nakon prvog emitiranja. Dio playliste je tog dana izgledao ovako: T.Goluban, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, John Hammond Jr.,...
„Blow Junkie“ se do sada emitirao u eteru radio postaja Kanade, Australije, Južne Afrike, Francuske, Njemačke, Irske, Italije, Luksemburga, Nizozemske, Engleske..., a najbolje rezultate polučio je u domovini bluesa – Americi na već spomenutim top listama albuma.
