Macedonian Postcards

This well-known song from Skopsko about a man who can't pay his bar bill has many versions. Dragi talks about his first hearing of the song on the kemane and about Elene Dimitrievska.

This old love ballad is from the Lazaropole/Mijak area, Dragi also discusses arranged marriages and reminisces about Kiril Mancevski.

This love song in 5/16 from the Pelagonija region generates a discussion about the hero Krale Marko, the singers Ǵorǵi Želčeski, Kevser Selimova, and Gogo Zafiroski, and a famous song claimed by everyone in the Balkans.

Dragi describes this ode to youth, the Lazaropole/Mijak area, the dance "Teškoto", and Aleksandar Sarievski.

Dragi talks about Mirvet Belovska, čalgija, and this song about an Ottoman tax collector.

The story of an unhappy love, thwarted by jealous villagers. Dragi talks about his difficulties understanding the meaning of the song as a child, and about matchmaking in the village. ©2008 Izvor Music

This is the story of a shepherd whose coat is stolen by thieves but who escapes alive, to the relief of his girlfriend, Dafina. Dragi also talks about Kruševo, Vlachs, and how the melody became changed from the original version.

The second song in our series is Ilčovice, Mlada Nevesto, a song in which an Ottoman official, Mustaf, expresses his admiration for Ilčo's young bride. Dragi talks about how he first heard the song—from a new bride, no less—and about other similar songs.

We begin the series of 54 songs with Aj, Iznikna Mi Badem Drvo, the story of two lovers enjoying a tryst beneath an almond tree. Dragi talks about Goran Alački, and about meeting Vaska Ilieva for the first time.

In this inaugural episode, we talk about how we met, the different joint music events that led up to the current 3-CD project, and talk a little about Dragi's mother, the singer Rajna Spasovska.