Peaches, Pumkin, apple pie,
who likes polka, hollar I…
I really like a good upbeat fast polka, but most people seem to think that polka music is lame. I have found that Polish Polka’s seem a bit more up tempo. Anyone know of some foot tapping, upbeat polka bands?
I’ve always liked the humourous, light-hearted music of Brave Combo (a group from Texas), and they’ve won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Polka album. But don’t let that fool you, despite the Grammy, they’re well worth listening to.
I have their album Polkatharsis (mid-1980’s) and could recommend it for your polka pleasure.
Assuming you didn’t grow up with it as a child, the proper time to be introduced to polka music is when you’re in college, preferably in someone’s basement rec room, drinking beer.
You can’t beat Frankie Yankovic.
I’m not usually a big polka fanatic, but I love Weird Al’s polka medleys. They’re probably the thing that I most look forward to when he puts out a new album.
Now with 1000 posts of pure wisdom!
(or something)
Hello. My name is Shirley. I am a closet polka lover. I don’t actually own any polka music, but whenever I hear the sounds of an accordian, I am compelled to whirl myself around the room like a dervish. Polka, to me, is an early form of slam dancing.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Jimmy Sturr (or Stir? I’m shaming my hometown…) is a big name in polka where I’m from. I’ve seen his band perform once, at a 4th of July celebration, and it was a lot of fun-- outdoors, families camped out on blankets, old folks dancing. Definitely check him out if you’re into polka 
ps-- favorite polka line: “In heaven there is no beer, that’s why we’re drinking it here.”
Gamera is really neat, he is full of turtle meat, we’ve been eating Gam-er-aaaa…
Ah… The white man’s soul music!
I think polka is dissed so much, because it doesn’t really call for a lot of musical virtuosity (although some of those cats really smoke!). Much of its appeal comes from its down-home corniness. Plus as a folk music it really does engage members of all ages. I disagree about being in college and at you friend’s basement, I think the best place to experience polka is at a European/American wedding where beer is served. I don’t remember ever seeing a music that gets people from such wide age ranges together to party down. Old grandmas who could hardly walk usually can lap kids in their 20’s…
Among Polka fans, distinction is usually drawn between German and Polish style polkas. I don’t know the differences but they are there nonetheless. Many small towns have Polka fests or “Czech” “Norwegian” “German” Polish" (etc.) fests. These are well worth it. Polka is best served with beer, kraut, Polish sausage, beer, roast duck, beer, Bavarian Pretzels, and kolaches for desert (a Czech danish).
Sweet Basil (and don’t get me started on Klezmer!)
Didn’t get voted for a damn thing!
(thanks guys…)
We’ve had the swing revival, now who wants to be at the forefront of the next new thing, and help start a polka revival?
Polka, polka everyone!
Polka, polka, lots of fun!