Our Polka Hero

Frankie Liszka & TBC present: Our Polka Hero -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frankie Liszka & TBC (as heard on this album) include: Frankie Liszka, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 1998) - Trumpet, vocals; Steve Binkiewicz - Trumpet; Dave Walter - Accordion, vocals; Matt Lewandowski - Drums, electric guitar; Chris Yanetsky - Acoustic bass; Pete Dardzinski - Concertinas. Adding to the dynamic talents of Frankie Liszka & TBC were many special guests, including the following gentlemen who played with the band: Lenny Gomulka, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 1988) - Clarinet; Mark Trzepacz, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 2015) - "Stunt" trumpets; Jim Johnson - Piano, synth. And, as if that didn't make this album great enough, numerous other talented vocalists are featured on this album - a group consisting of some of the best vocalists / performers to ever grace a Polka stage, including: Michael Costa, from "The Beat" - featured on "I Can't Tell My Heart Polka" Wally Dombrowski, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 2012), from "Polka Country Musicians" - featured on "Farewell Polka" Lenny Gomulka, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 1988), from "Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push" - featured on "Far Away From Home Polka" Lenny Longuski, from "Style Styx" - featured on "Hello Trouble Polka" Dee Dee Ogrodny, from "Henny & the Versa J's" - featured on "Sad Orphan Waltz" Ryan Ogrodny, from "Henny & the Versa J's" - featured on "Polka Hero" Dave Raccis, from "Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push" - featured on "Polka Celebration" and "Polka Hero" Paul Romanowski, from "Michigan Connection" - featured on "My Girl Polka" Dave "Scrubby" Seweryniak, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 1994), from "The Dynatones" - featured on "Playboy Polka" and "Polka Hero" Larry Trojak, from "The Dynatones" - featured on "I'll Marry You Next Saturday Polka" Mark Trzepacz, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 2015), from "The Dynatones" - featured on "Polka Hero" Jimmy "Maly" Weber, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 2006), from "The Sounds" - featured on "Cium Ci Rum Cium Cium Polka" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Album review per Steve Litwin: Beyond a doubt the most influential individual in modern polka music, Eddie Blazonczyk is a "Polka Hero" to not only the fans, but also musicians throughout the industry. His tunes, style and arrangements are the most emulated by other polka bands. Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones are billed as "The Nation's Number One Polka Band," a titled they've earned over the years. Our Polka Hero, a 23 track recording product by The Brass Connection and Executive Producer Mark Trzepacz / Ethnic World Records, pays tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk and does it with style, class and quality The dynamic talents of Frankie Liszka and The Brass Connection are complimented by a host of guest artists, including Mike Costa, Wally Dombrowski, Lenny Gomulka, Lenny Longuski, Dee Dee Ogrodny, Ryan Ogrodny, Paul Romanowski, Dave "Scrubby" Seweryniak, Larry Trojak, Mark Trzepacz and Jimmy "Maly" Weber. Dave Raccis, Chicago Push drummer, is outstanding with his infamous Blaz vocal impression on a couple of numbers. Musically TBC has Frank Liszka, and Steve Binkiewicz on trumpets, the kinetic Dave Walter on accordion, Matt Lewandowski on drums, Chris Yanetsky on acoustic bass and the ever-amazing Peter "D" Dardzinski on concertina. Adding their instrumental expertise to the recording were Jim Johnson on Piano and synthesizer, Lenny Gomulka on clarinet and Mark Trzepacz on "stunt" trumpets. With over 50 Blazonczyk albums released, Our Polka Hero just scratches the surface of his many hits, but the material selection was obviously done with care, selecting favorites of fans and musicians alike. The recording of many of the vocalists was done at remote locations, with Treepaz Productions using state-of-the-art digital mastering to insert the voice tracks into the music mix. Taking eight months to produce, the recording presents clean arrangements and flawless musicianship and is already in demand throughout the market. The listener will easily find one of his or her favorites on this compilation of Blaz greats. From the early hits like "Rocks & Stones" polka, to the instrumental "Hop In" polka, to lead John Jaworski penned "Polka Hero," this covers gamut of this Polka Hero. And, to truly complete the spectrum of hits, "Season's Greetings" polka represents the great Christmas albums recorded by Blazonczyk and the Versatones. This one was definitely worth the wait. It's another superb job by "Mister Mixologist," Mark Trzepacz and unquestionably a masterful effort by The Brass Connection and all the guest musicians. From the music to the album graphics to the "melody of words" in the liner notes by Trzepacz, Polka Hero is a consummate tribute to Eddie Blazonczyk, everyone's "Polka Hero."