Reviews
Croatian young harmonica player and singer Tomislav Goluban who has recently participated in the I European Blues Contest organized by the EBU, brings us an interesting while selective job. The cd is basically focused to satisfy crazy harmonica fans, as harmonica and voice are the only instruments Tomislav employs along the cd, except in three songs that include James Lott on guitar, Eric Noden on guitar and vocals, Joe Filisko on harmonica and vocals and Matt Ross-Spang on piano. As just mentioned, the rest of the album only shows Tomislav Goluban playing harmonica and singing. Twelve cuts sung in English and Croatian plus some instrumental ones. Goluban has basically chosen his own repertoire, plus one Sonny Boy Williamson’s song ("Mighty Long Time"), two traditional ones (the classic "Amazing Grace" and "T- Train Live") and a song called "The Rakija Song" coming from John Kruth. A record specially devoted to harmonica 'freaks'.
Vicente P. Zumel, March 2011 (SPAIN), www.lahoradelblues.com
The blues are becoming a cottage industry in Croatia, it seems. First there was Miroslav Evačić, and now Goluban and his crew have made an appearance. He's a harp player, very much in the tradition of Sonny Terry and Little Walter, and he kicks things off to a fine, even virtuoso start with «T-Train Kick», where he gets to display his chops and set you up for an album of mouth harp playing. However, that's not quite what we get. There's some in there, but this is more about the songs, which at times become American blues refracted through an odd prism – Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. So «See You Later Alligator» gets a bizarre falsetto interlude, for instance; «Jesus On The Mailnline» has a Johnny Cash makeover; and «Country Party» is just, well, quite odd. It's beguiling, and there's a certain innocence to it all. But make no misstake, these guys can play the blues, and there are some unusual juxtapositions, like the trumpet on «Brag to Brag» that takes the listener by surprise, but works wonderfully well. In case you're wondering about the band name, it's a sort of translation of the name for the area where the musicians live. So yes, it's all a little warped, and it would be great to hear Goluban work out on the harp a lot more than he does, but there's definitely something going on in the Croatian Delta.
SingOut! – Chris Nickson, 2009
I believe now, that, when Sonny Terry died, he was thinking on his way Up, well I got to send a little bit of my spirit to the Croatia, and it comes out in Tomislav Goluban.
Jostein Forsberg, Notodden Blues Festival, February 6, 2009, Memphis (USA)
Croatian harmonica is rarely heard and in the case of Tomislav, his main influence seems to be obvious. This sympathetic harp player follows Sonny Terry licks on many of the tracks on this CD. But still this is not strictly speaking a straight-ahead blues album. Instruments include, among others, a trombone. Genres vary from gospel to polka and a spinoff of Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross (3).
Many of the songs are performed in the artist’s native language even though they are listed in English. Finnish listeners will probably miss many delicious verbal nuances. A well known song (10) sees an acoustic version and here we can clearly hear the influence of Sonny Terry. So if you are looking for Bill Haley meets Sonny Terry in Croatian, this is your best bet. The harmonica playing here is excellent throughout the album and goes to show that this instrument is credible in all corners of the world.
Harri Haka, BLUES NEWS MAGAZINE, No. 233, 2008 (FINLAND)
“Mr. B.” is an outstanding, enlivening, and original blues album from Croatia's own Tomislav Goluban & Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues. This album is comprised of sixteen harmonica-led blues jams that incorporate acoustic and steel guitar, drums, kazoo, muted trumpet, and a plethora of other instruments to create consistently solid arrangements. The overall sound is truly original, combining an authentic Cajun/delta blues sound with elements particular to Croatian music, with lyrics sung in Croatian on the first half of the album and in English on the second half. The songs are all great, entertaining and enjoyable, with the harmonica driving each song and drawing from the likes of Hot Tuna and Sonny Terry. The recording quality is also quite good and a perfect fit for the type of sound Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues are trying to create. “T-Train Kick” introduces the album nicely with the harmonica and drums, perfectly imitating the takeoff of a train from a station. “Sv. Rok” is a slower track with Croatian lyrics that is backed by acoustic guitar, muted trumpet, and features a nice harmonica solo. “See You Later Alligator” shifts the album to a more American blues sound, with entertaining English lyrics, an absurd vocal range, and great vocal layering. Tomislav Goluban & Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues have crafted an enjoyable, memorable, and truly original blues album with “Mr. B.” Fans of delta blues with a Croatian flare, pick up this album and prepare to wear it out.
Chris & the RadioIndy.com, August 2008 (USA)
...a mix of American roots music, European sensibilities, spirited playing and a great sense of fun. It all adds up to a terrific original sound.
Tom Gray, July 2008 (USA), www.deltamoon.com
Their music blends together country blues and traditional Croatian sounds resulting in a CD that is fun and entertaining. If you love the blues but you’re fed up with the same old thing played the same old way get “Mr. B.” now.
CD Baby!, March 2008., cdbaby.com
“Little Pigeon” derives from Tomislav’s surname whilst ‘ForHill’ is an approximate translation of Zagorje, the Croatian area where the band comes from – and no, the music isn’t any more predictable either! This is an acoustic based set, centred around the leader’s excellent and sometimes very inpidual, mostly Sonny Terry but sometimes Walter Horton or Jimmy Reed inspired, harmonica playing and vocals mostly in Croat (listen to the rocking ‘0,5’). The other band members are Krunoslav Dobričević on guitars, Nikola Herceg on electric bass, and Nikola Santro trombone, electric piano and some odd sounding percussion!
This set is blues-based, and comes recommended by the late Philadelphia Jerry Ricks, who described it to the band as “the expression of your roots blended with ours”. There is a noticeable Croatian musical influence on some tracks, though the very mellow title instrumental betrays a little Fleetwood Mac ‘Albatross’ type of approach – and try the cover of ‘See You Later Alligator’ for something completely off-the-wall. ‘Polka Blues’ sounds like the kind of thing the Memphis Jug Band might have come up with had they been shipwrecked in eastern Europe in the seventies!
This is definitely a CD that has grown on me with each play – and in which I discover something new each time. Handsome packaging too. Need I state that this is not one for the purists but anyone with a sense of humour and an interest in an original approach to European blues should certainly investigate.
BLUESART, Norman Darwen, March/April 2008 (Austria), www.bluesart.at
Mr. B. is an engaging self-released disc from Croatian country blues group Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues. Tomislav Goluban is an accomplished unamplified harp player with a broad tonal palette capable of expressive melodic work («Mr. B.») and propulsive rhythms («T-Train Kick»). Krunoslav Dobricevic's acoustic guitar shifts between driving the band and adoring the music with bright, well-conceived leads. The rhythm section keeps things simple; drummer Nikola Santro does triple duty, turning in trombone and a vibes-like electric piano. The generally upbeat songs sport occasional pop flourishes («Sv.Rok», «Golden Fish»), and, while hearing blues sung in Goluban's native tongue is initially disorienting, his unaffected, emotional style quickly overcomes any objections.
Blues Revue, THE WORLD'S BLUES MAGAZINE, Dec/Jan 2008 (USA), www.bluesrevue.com
“Harmonica is a popular instrument in the blues. The problem is that most guys playing it are trying to re-create Little Walter’s Chicago sound or William Clarke’s West Coast feel forgetting about more traditional styles of harmonica playing. And this is the part where Tomislav Goluban comes in. Croatia’s no. 1 harp player sounds like he has spent hours listening to Sonny Terry’s records but, what’s even more important, building his own musical identity on a base provided by his master. Tomislav’s harmonica has a fat and full-bodied sound mixing so well with acoustic background provided by ForHill Blues. Their music blends together country blues and traditional Croatian sounds resulting in a CD that is fun and entertaining. If you love the blues but you’re fed up with the same old thing played the same old way get "Mr. B." now – country blues has never sounded so fresh!
Przemek Draheim, Polish Blues & Gosple Radio Host, October 2007 (Poland), www.blues.pl/draheim
Little Pigeon has awaken and bravely emloyed his feet, sorry, wings! His endemic value should be recognized right on time and not, as it is common here, rumbled about it only when the birds are migrating to warm countries.
Zoran Stajcic, June 2007 (Croatia)
Listening to the Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues (Mr. B.) recording was a breath of clean air in a world of Blues that's lost a lot of originality. To hear the expression of my culture's music with the vitality of expression and Croatian feel is one of the reasons I think this CD understands and respects the concept of what we think Blues should be, not to be a carbon of a recording but the expression of your roots - blended with ours. The harmonica playing is truly original, Sonny Terry, Hamie Nixon, Tomislav Goluban - understanding and sympathy and respect. "Hats Off" to you guys!!
"Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks, May 2007 (1940.-2007.),
(USA), www.jerryricks.com
It may sound odd and uncommon, however the mere mention of the name Tomislav Goluban guarantees that I will fill-up my Siscia Jazz Club, even on a Thursday.
Damir Kukuruzovic, 28th December 2006 (Croatia)
The last day of the festival belonged to the blues players of Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues from Zabok. This is the first encounter with blues at the Cakovec festival and a success at that. The leader of the band Tomislav Goluban is a born entertainer, and among all those qualities he also plays the harp exquisitely well. A truly high-quality and inspiring performance kept the audience highly engaged and in high spirits.
Laci Varga, 12th International Jazz Fair Cakovec,
November 2006 (Croatia)
I had the great pleasure of meeting and hearing Tomislav perform at the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen Germany 2005. Tomislav is a fine harmonica player that takes control of the stage and puts on a very energetic show. He was a pleasure to watch and would recommend anyone to see his entertaining show.
David Barrett, 9th November 2005
(USA), www.harmonicamasterclass.com
...the inpiduality of their performance is an honest, interesting, ingenious and devoted execution, which makes the concert a distinct experience... Lively reactions of the audience, which followed along majority of songs with rhythmic clapping – confirms the quality of performance of this band. It also provides a not too commonly seen way of creating positive connections, relationships and sensations, which stem through the confidant and authentic style of playing as well as commitment to generating a unique blues atmosphere.
Glas Istre, Mozaik, (D. Cukola Zeneral), 22nd July 2005 (Croatia)
Tomi Little Pigeon plays with a very unique style and it is good to see that he is keeping the Blues alive in Croatia! Good Stuff
Paul Lamb, 17th June 2005 (UK), www.paullamb.com
«Gentlemen, it was a pleasure to hear you during this April's VARAZDIN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL and learn how you keep up the traditional blues and country music. We especially enjoyed the final jam session with you in the ground floor's Jazzclub. We wish you great success in the future. Keep swinging!»
Frank Sager (Trumpeter), for and on behalf of the whole band "TEDDY EHRENREICH JAZZBAND", 14th June 2005 (Vienna, Austria)
Enjoyed the show, nice country style blues with and original flair, the best I've seen in Croatia.
L.A. Jones, 20th May 2005
(Los Angeles, USA), www.lajones.com
....get to the “Factory of Culture”, where in a pleasantly filled hall a concert of Guy Davis and his trio was to be held. The prelude to the pinnacle of the evening was the performance of the opening band «Little Pigeon's ForHill Blues», local acoustic country-blues trio with a very distinct style and full of Zagorje spirit. Hat off to the guys, especially to the front man on the harmonica Tomislav Goluban, who knew how to effortlessly hype-up the crowd and round up ovations in return....
muzika.hr (Gasper Sopi, Vedran Jakovac), 8th April 2005 (Croatia), www.muzika.hr/default.aspx?id=4186
...fans of blues relaxed while waiting for the performance by Guy Davis, a New Yorker who began his career on theatre floor boards, only through inspiration of his grandfather's and parent's life's stories to later enter the blues waters. For the warm-up before his performance Little Pigeon’s ForHill Blues was recruited – a local country-blues trio, headed by Tomislav Goluban on harmonica and guitarist Ante Prgin. It just so happened that in their half hour performance they literally 'rocked' the place and gained all the support of the public. Genius and intellectual execution of classics from Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Boy Williams and others they superbly combined with their own compositions, which they served it can freely be said to a surprised and unprepared public – which toward the end of their show applauded only longer by the minute and louder...
T-portal (Zoran Stajčić), 7th April 2005 (Croatia)
Due to the attractive performances, Little Pigeon’s Forhill Blues has captured the audiences at the B.P. Club, which has among jazz become a renowned place of the international blues music scene as well. Among a rare few others, this trio is slowly breaking new ground and taking on the role of a pioneer of blues in the country. Movingly, sensationally and with a great deal of feeling for blues they perform their own compositions, however not disregarding the tradition – relying greatly on the important blues legends such as Robert Johnson, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and others. Although while listening to the album you cannot see the spark in the eye, the expression of pure enthusiasm, or a twisted body in the swing of music, which all contribute to the authenticity and appeal of their performances, you will without a doubt feel the devotion and passion of these guys who feel and live the blues.
Davor Hrvoj, 24th February 2005 (Croatia)
Tomislav Goluban and his trio were brought to the B.P. Club (with my blind compliance) by its manager Jozo Bartolović. He consistently informed me of their successful performances in the club and thus managed to finally convince me to include them in the program “Century of Blues’ festival 2005. There and then I at last heard them live and I understood Jozo’s enthusiasm. Quite a few blues bands play around this region of the country, however not one (in my opinion) produces that much exhilaration and positive energy as does this trio comprised of Tomislav, Ante & Nikola. It's a real, authentic Zagorje (ForHill) kitchen, (of course with a touch of Ante's Dalmatian flair). I would like to extend a special thank you to Tomislav and the guys for inviting me to play as an (almost real) drummer with them in my own club! To sum it up, Zagorski ‘for-hill’ blues - ‘pigeons’ instead of letters spread abroad high spirited, lively blues. Cheers!
Boško Petrović, 9th February 2005 (Croatia)
We encountered him for the first time in 2003, at the Harmonica Masters Workshop; a musician with the most gripping scenic performance we have ever seen. In retrospect, he didn't need to play even a note, everyone was already on their knees. His performance was unbelievably amazing!
Harp Online, 18th November 2004
(Germany), www.harponline.de
There has been less real blues in Croatia than men on the Moon, and that's what makes this album so valuable. I was thrilled with the fact that someone in this part of the world is in love with the original Mississippi blues. I had a great pleasure to spend some time on playing it with the guys.
Ivica Kostelić, 17th July 2004 (Croatia)
Little Pigeon’s plays and sings with strong passion and the occasional flash of humor. He is, without a doubt, my favorite Croatian blues player.
Joe Filisko, 8th July 2004 (Chicago, USA), www.filisko.com
Among millions of so-called Blues players it is hard to find some who are different, but you immediately know you did when you first hear the "Little Pigeon`s ForHill Blues" Duo! You can tell that these guys HAVE FUN doing what they do, and they know very well HOW to do it. A driving guitar and a helluva harmonica make you dance, and you are greatful that they give their own impressions to old songs and really spice them up. Great!
Thomas Kleemaier, 8th June 2004
(Germany), www.kleemaier.de
PS. Zagorje - a pleasant and peaceful hilly region in the north-west part of Croatia populated by high-spirited and hospitable people; that's where we live