Album Review: Vlaške Narodne Pesme by Slavica Jović – A Folk Gem from 1972
If you’re into raw, heartfelt folk music that feels like it’s been passed down through generations, Vlaške Narodne Pesme is an album you need to check out. Released in 1972 in Yugoslavia under the label PGP RTB, this record is a treasure trove of traditional sounds brought to life by Slavica Jović’s soulful voice and backed by some stellar musicianship. With arrangements by George Vancu and conducted by Štefan Petrović, this thing has layers of authenticity that just hit different.
Let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me. First up is "I Sinoć, I Preksinoć = S-asară S-alaltă Sară." It’s one of those songs where you can almost picture yourself sitting around a fire somewhere in the Balkans, listening to stories told through melody. The rhythm is simple but hypnotic, and the way Jović delivers the lyrics makes it feel personal—like she’s singing directly to you. You don’t even need to understand every word; the emotion carries everything.
Then there’s "Dolazi Mi Lepa Devojka = Suie-Mi Si-Mi Coboara," which kinda sneaks up on you. At first, it seems like your typical folk tune, but then the Narodni Orkestar Radio-televizije Novi Sad kicks in with these lush strings and brass that give it this cinematic vibe. There’s something about how the song builds—it pulls at your heartstrings without trying too hard. Every time I hear it, I imagine scenes of village life, maybe someone waiting for their loved one to return home after a long day. It’s nostalgic, even if you’ve never lived near a place like that.
The whole album leans heavily into its roots, blending Serbian and Romanian influences seamlessly. And honestly, it’s refreshing to listen to music that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. This isn’t polished pop or experimental noise—it’s real people pouring their hearts out over melodies that have probably existed longer than any of us reading this review.
What gets me thinking, though, is how albums like this remind us how connected we all are through music. These songs were written by "Narodna," meaning "the people," and they really do feel like they belong to everyone who listens. It’s wild to think that back in 1972, before streaming services and global playlists, someone was carving lacquers (shoutout to ГАША!) so folks could enjoy tunes like these on vinyl.
So yeah, Vlaške Narodne Pesme might not be blasting on mainstream radio today, but it deserves a spot in your collection if you love music that tells a story. Honestly, listening to it feels like finding an old photograph—you know it’s special, even if you weren’t there when it was taken. Now, go ahead and spin this gem. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up humming "Čuj, Marija Iz Banata" while cooking dinner tonight. Wouldn’t that be something?
