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This page is devoted to my favorite singer, the great Polish diva Basia Trzetrzelewska (pronounced "Basha Tshetshelevska," says Basia). Basia was born September 30, 1954 in Jaworzno Poland. Early on she took an interest in music, taking lessons in piano and singing but was prodded by her family toward a career in medicine. Originally she trained to be an opera singer, but at 15 she won a local talent contest that eventually led to her moving toward pop: three years later she was cast in an all-girl singing group called Alibabki that was already well-known in Poland and other eastern European countries including the Soviet Union. In 1979 she came to Chicago, singing in a Polish community club, and later got a job fronting a Top 40 covers act. (Apparently she does a scorching impersonation of Pat Benatar!) Later she moved to London, where she met songwriter Danny White, and both joined the band Matt Bianco which had several hits in England ("Half A Minute", "Whose Side Are You On?", "Get Out Of Your Lazy Bed"). Basia, along with Danny, left after the first album to pursue her solo career. "New Day For You" and "Promises" off the Time And Tide album were big hits throughout Europe and the album went platinum. Basia's second solo album, London Warsaw New York, contained the big hit "Cruising For Bruising" and also went platinum. The Sweetest Illusion, Basia's third studio album, failed to generate the sales of the earlier albums despite being her most creative, deeply textured work to date and my personal favorite. Basia On Broadway is a live album recorded during a single performance at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City and is probably the best live jazz-pop album ever recorded. A greatest hits album, Clear Horizon, contains many great Basia songs including some not previously available and the album makes a great introduction to Basia for anyone who has not yet discovered her unique talent. After a long period without any new recordings, Basia, along with Danny White, is back with the reformed Matt Bianco and they have recorded a new album, Matt's Mood, which was released in the UK in 2004 and was originally available only as an import in the USA. The USA release came in early 2005. This lead to a triumphant long-awaited USA tour. Basia's musical styles range from samba/Bossa Nova-based rythyms to 80's techno-pop to beautiful, heart-felt ballads. She and her musical partner Danny White write most of her songs. Basia's lyric's many times are deeply personal and expressive. The musicianship on all the albums is first-rate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CD DiscographyMost of these were also released on audio cassette and vinyl.
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Basia CD Singles & Other ItemsBrave New Hope Drunk On Love Simple Pleasures Sweetest Illusion Time & Tide/London Warsaw New York/Sweetest Illusion [BOX SET] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Links To Other Basia SitesBasiaWebBasia Home Page Basia International Discography Basia Page Basia2 - Online Discussion Group |
© 2004-2005 R.W. Finnan
