KONCERT KOD HAJDUCKE CESME

Despite the title "The Concert At Hajdučka Česma", the whole recording was done after the actual concert already had taken place at Belgrade's favorite site in August 1977. Most of it was recorded at Sarajevo's "Đuro Đaković" concert hall (today's BKC) on 25 October 1977, just a few days before Goran Bregović left to serve the Army. Only the sound of the audience was actually taken from Hajdučka česma, which is not nicely mixed in the record and sounds very artificial.

The concert itself was an amazing happenning in Yugoslavia, so-called "Yugoslavian Woodstock", due to alleged almost 100 thousand people gathered for the free concert, including the similar Woodstock-like technical problems with the stage and equipment.

Musical performance is not too strong or convincing and many instrumental mistakes can be heard throughout. The best moments are three tracks where the audience hand-clapping suggests a chamber-like atmosphere in front of few people, so my impression is that these were original un-dubbed sounds from BKC hall. "Blues za moju bivsu dragu", "Selma" and "Ima neka tajna veza" (En. "There Are Secret Ties That Bind", previously released as solo single by Bregović) are nicely performed featuring intimate, acoustic atmosphere backed by Mellotron sounds courtesy of Laza Ristovski. The early "shepherd's rock"-style hymn "Da sam pekar" (En. "If I Was A Baker"), previosuly issued only as single, is a hard rocking crowd pleaser that sounds as a mix between glam rock and punk!

This album reflects the first serious crisis in BIJELO DUGME. Drummer Ivandić and keyboardist Ristovski were in constant fight with Bregović during this period and the following year they both left the group pursuing a short solo career as a duet. They even recorded an interesting attempt at symphonic prog rock with the album "Stizemo" in 1978.

It is obvious that Bregović wanted to rush the release of this live album before his leaving for compulsory JNA service. The results of a hastily done job are more than evident.

PERSONAL RATING: 2/5

P.A. RATING: 2/5