This is some weird weed. I think I just got polka.

I was just watching a Youtube video of this Polish folk group playing traditional music and the tune was really nice (I think it’s a waltz, but it’s in the ballpark). So the world folk music bug bit me as it often does.

Per Google Translate from Polish: “Piotr BIŃKOWSKI’s band entertains festival GUESTS!“

I’ve been into world music since the ’90s. I know some people hate the term “world music,” but I have to file it somewhere in my brain.

I looked through Zbigniew Mądry’s YouTube channel, which according to Google Translate says “On the trail of the disappearing traditional culture of the village.” Right up my alley.

https://www.youtube.com/@zbigniewmadry7153/about

The first set of videos was kind of a mindfuck, because I realized I’d been wrong about polka music for years. I used to think it was corny, something for old people. They used to play it on the radio in my hometown and all I wanted was some decent rock ‘n’ roll.

But now I know why polka is cool — because the fans know the words. There’s something exciting about singing along with all your friends and knowing the songs. It’s primal. It connects you to humanity. Those are the best parts of any concert. It’s why Queen at Wimbley Stadium was so good.

Here are a couple of cool ones from Zbigniew Mądry’s channel:

I’d say more about them if I knew Polish, but I love the way people know the songs. Culture you can’t buy or sell.

#Polka, #Music, #Polish, #Folk Music, #Culture, #World Folk, #Tradition, #Heritage, #Queen