Record Reviews

STAN BORYS ~ …PISZE PAMIETNIK ARTYSTY POLSKIE RADIO 1323 (Barcode: 5907812243234) ~ POLAND ~ Special Products Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 Polish singer / actor / composer / poet Stan BorysFind albums by this artist is one of the most flamboyant and iconoclastic figures on the local scene with almost five decades of artistic achievements behind him. He was a founding member (with guitarist Tadeusz NalepaFind albums by this artist) of the legendary group BlackoutFind albums by this artist, the first Polish Rock group to incorporate lyrics written by a poet, in this case by Bogdan LoeblFind albums by this artist. Following his departure from Blackout the group morphed into the no less legendary BreakoutFind albums by this artist, the great precursors of Blues-Rock in Poland, who continued to cooperate with Loebl as their exclusive lyricist, while Borys joined another group called BizonyFind albums by this artist. Since the early 1970s Borys embarked on a solo career, which continues to this very day. In 1975 Borys left Poland and immigrated to the US, but remained faithful to his deep cultural bonds with his native country. Since 2004 he returned to perform regularly in Poland, where he maintains a solid fan base, both as a singer and actor. Although mostly renowned for his musical activities, Borys was always deeply interested in theatre and poetry. His deep knowledge and profound understanding of literary works turn him into a unique voice of the Polish literary tradition, which is especially evident on this recording. In 1983 Stan Borys created a one-man-spectacle based on the poetry written by the 19th Century Polish poet Cyprian Kamil NorwidFind albums by this artist, one of the country’s greatest and most astounding literary forces, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the poet’s death. Five years later the spectacle was recorded and released on CD in the US. In 2010 Borys re-recorded his spectacle, which was finally released in Poland. The album consists of a series of Norwid’s poems recited by Borys, accompanied by ambient musical collages, as well as poems to which Borys composed full musical scores, which are sung by him. The overall effect is truly an electrifying and both deeply emotional as well as highly intellectual experience. The tormented, convoluted and diabolically complex Norwid’s poems suddenly become coherent and beautifully lucid thanks to the incredible interpretation and theatrical delivery by Borys, who masterly controls his voice and diction. It’s abundantly clear that Borys not only knows these poems intimately, but also feels deeply for the messages conveyed in them. For many, this might be the first opportunity to comprehend how prophetic these poems are, especially now. Although the political circumstances at the time when these poems were written are no longer a reality, the underlying values and principles of freedom (both individual and collective), humanity, honesty, idealism and even patriotism are still the building stones of any decent society, but alas they are still being hold in deep contempt by contemporary, post-modern society led by false prophets, crooked politicians, fanatic clergy and fools. Hundreds of years of enslavement and suffering by Poles, as expressed by Norwid’s masterly poetry, who in retrospect conveyed these messages more eloquently than any of his contemporaries, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Therefore these poems, as presented by Borys, are filled with grief and tragedy, desperation and anxiety, perhaps even more so than originally intended. It´s interesting to follow the many parallels between these interpretations of Norwid’s work with the ones created by another Polish genius, NiemenFind albums by this artist. Niemen’s “obsession” with Norwid’s poetry was an integral part of his life’s work, which deserves to be regarded as one of the ultimate highlights of Polish cultural heritage. Stan Borys now joins Niemen on the pedestal of Polish seers, in many ways continuing the same mission of spreading the words of the Prophet. This album is a masterpiece of epic proportions and an invaluable addition to the Polish culture, although the question if it will be recognized as such by his fellow countrymen remains still open. Since the Bible teaches us that "no prophet is accepted in his hometown", I remain skeptical…

Updated: 25/06/2016Posted:

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