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PIESEň Z HÔľ

Fermáta

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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Fermáta Pieseň Z Hôľ album cover
3.93 | 81 ratings | 8 reviews | 32% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1976

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Pieseň z hôľ (Song From Ridges) (11:07)
2. Svadba na medvedej lúke (Marriage On A Bears Meadow) (4:15)
3. Posledný jarmok v Radvani (The Last Fair In Radvaň) (4:31)
4. Priadky (Spinning) (7:37)
5. Dolu Váhom (Downstream Váh) (2:20)
6. Vo Zvolene zvony zvonia (Bells Are Ringing In Zvolen) (10:10)

Total Time: 40:00

Line-up / Musicians

- Frantisek Griglák / guitar, vocals, Fender Rhodes & synth (5)
- Tomás Berka / Fender Rhodes, synth, percussion
- Anton Jaro / bass
- Cyril Zeleňák / drums, percussion

With:
- Milan Tedla / violin, Jew's harp

Releases information

Title translates as "Song From Ridges"

Artwork: Rastislav Majdlen with Tibor Borský (photo)

LP Opus ‎- 9116 0521 (1976, Czechoslovakia)

CD Bonton ‎- 71 0623-2 (1997, Slovakia) Bundled with 1975 album "Fermáta" (2 LPs on 1 CD); Remastered by Alexander Soldán
CD Belle Antique ‎- BELLE 142252 (2014, Japan) Remastered by Kazunori Ohara

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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FERMÁTA Pieseň Z Hôľ ratings distribution


3.93
(81 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(32%)
32%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (26%)
26%
Collectors/fans only (0%)
0%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

FERMÁTA Pieseň Z Hôľ reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Sean Trane
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk
4 stars Second album from this Slovak combo that experienced their first line-up changed with Zelenak taking over the drum stool and an added violinist named Milan Tedla but as a guest musician only. These changes would not affect the group's sound much, even if Berka's presence is better felt and sounding a tad more symphonic, but still remaining franticly jazz-rock/fusion.

The opening title track, Song From Bridges, is giving right off the starting block the colours that will dominate the album, especially the McLaughlin-like lightning-fast guitar playing from Griglak, but Berka's synth sometimes sounds like a moog. In this album, you can start telling who is the songwriter, especially on the closing track, where Berka's keyboards are all over (a bit unfortunately) the 10- min epic that had started so well. Sadly, this last track lowers, IMHO, the general level of the album, but it still remains extremely excellent, but I prefer their debut.

Although the 2-album-on-1 Cd doesn't hold the fifth track (Perpetuum III) of their debut album, you can safely jump on that release as this first album is at least as good as their sophomore effort, this particular release even getting an extra half star, making it 5 in all.

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars For their second album the band has added some violin, not a lot though. Also the synths take a more prominant role. In fact I agree with Sean Trane that the 10 minute final track brings this recording down a level because of the dominant synths.The rest is so good though that this deserves 4.5 stars.

"Piesen Z Hoi" is the 11 minute opener and it's a beauty. It opens with bass as drums and guitar join in. Incredible sound ! The guitar is just screaming. Keyboards 2 minutes in and the drumming is so good. It settles after 5 1/2 minutes then the bass and drumming are back. Violin is brief.The guitar is on fire 8 minutes in and the bass and drums are relentless. "Svadba Na Medvedej Luke" has this killer drum intro before it settles with keys around a minute. The drums continue. Great sound ! "Posledny Jarmok V Radvani" opens with some huge bass lines with drums, keys and guitar.The guitar comes to the fore after a minute. Keyboards then lead before the guitar returns.

"Priadky" starts quietly with keys and other sounds. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes. A fantastic sound follows. The drums and bass sound so good. Electric piano too. Guitar 4 minutes in makes some noise. A calm 5 1/2 minutes in then the bass and drums return 6 minutes in. Keys too. This is incredible ! "Dolu Vahom" is a short tune with keyboards, bass and drums. I like it. "Vo Zvolene Zvony Zvonia" opens with liquid piano melodies as bass, cymbals and bells create some atmosphere. It's building after a minute. Violin follows. Synths lead after 5 minutes then the violin returns a minute later. Synths are back to the end. Too many synths on this one is my lone complaint.

Jazz / Fusion fans really need to check this band out.

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars As with the previous album, Fermata's Piesen Z Hol presents a strongly Mahavishnu Orchestra-influenced brand of fusion based around the furious guitar work of Frantisek Griglák. With both Griglák and Tomás Berka contributing keyboard work to the mix, the album shows a somewhat greater synthesiser presence than the debut - or, for that matter, the original Mahavishnu Orchestra's albums, making Piesen's sound rather more unique. If you want to imagine what the Orchestra might have sounded like if the original lineup had stayed together and Jan Hammer had gotten some top-flight synthesisers, you should definitely consider giving this album a try.
Review by friso
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars On the second Fermata album, a prog/fusion outfit from Slovakia, the band solidifies its sound. The music is less frantic and wild then on their debut (which I liked!) and the band also makes more uses of synthesizers. The production is more wide sounding and detailed. The eleven minute opening track has an up-tempo bass line and and some fierce playing on drums and guitar. Bass player Anton Jaro takes a step forward here in the mix with his thumping bass guitar sound. After that almost all pieces are rather pleasant but un-impressive fusion pieces. The first side is pleasant enough, but on the second side the dominance of the synth leads over the rather tame chords patterns and rhythms becomes a bit boring to be honest. The seven minute piece 'Priadky' is still quite versatile though, albeit without the much needed stand-out moments the album needs at this stage. Frantisek Griglák switches between guitar and synth and I don't think Fermata sounds that good without him spicing thinks up with his electric guitar. In contrast to their debut this album is mainly interesting for fans of fusion/jazz-rock, whereas the debut should appeal to eclectic prog fans as well.

Latest members reviews

4 stars For many decades I was only familiar with the band's name, having only a faint idea of the music they may have played. Considering that they were active from behind the Iron Curtain, I didn't expect ever to hear a single note. As luck has it - quite unexpectedly - I came across some of their r ... (read more)

Report this review (#1192069) | Posted by Anon-E-Mouse | Saturday, June 14, 2014 | Review Permanlink

5 stars A scintillating listen that takes a while to sink it's teeth. This album is constructed in nearly the same vein as all top shelf fusion albums, with lengthy diversions, quick tempo changes, and glorious rhythms to spare. Synths and guitar dominate the solos, with tons of solid backbone all t ... (read more)

Report this review (#1049769) | Posted by Suedevanshoe | Wednesday, October 2, 2013 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Fermáta's second album from 1976 featured an updated rhythm section of Anton Jaro on bass and Cyril Zeleňák on drums, which in my opinion is the most smoking rhythmic tandem the band ever had. The album is similar to its predecessor in many ways yet also different. It's less guitar based and le ... (read more)

Report this review (#152226) | Posted by Magor | Thursday, November 22, 2007 | Review Permanlink

5 stars This is one of the best jazz-rock albums ever have been released in 70s. Remember, that they had started to play early than Brand X started, but look as last! So i can say that Fermata is one of the possible influences for Brand X. Actully, all musicians are in possession of instruments. Some so ... (read more)

Report this review (#89836) | Posted by | Sunday, September 17, 2006 | Review Permanlink

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