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It's an endless polka party with Charm City Sound's Christmas Lights. To appreciate the true musical beauty of this holiday release, focus on one little word: ACCORDION!! This offering is riddled with exceptional accordion--and concertina--expertise!

CCS is a contemporary polka band (six members, with four providing vocals) that brightens the room here with 14 Christmas pieces, ranging from the traditional Polish carol Dzisiaj w Betlejem to holiday chestnuts such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, then liberally sprinkled with pleasing CCS originals. The vibrant orchestration is uplifting, pulsing, and downright fun--whether you happen to be Polish or not.

These rollicking sets are heartfelt and nicely executed wih humor and grace, and the instrumentation is especially fine. The vocals are, well, a bit messy, but appropriately charming; after all, classical precision would be out of context here. The CCS guys are definitely having a great time, and that enthusiasm spills over into the audience. My favorite track has to be Gordon Lightfoot's outstanding Song for a Winter's Night; Mike Matousek does Gordon proud! For pure Polish exuberance, my vote is for Zebym Mi Santa Claus with guest vocalist Jim Weber and his instrumental support in full-blown party mode. The album nicely closes with a fun CCS number And We Played (One Christmas Morning) about the rambunctious band "kids" receiving musical instruments and transforming themselves into successful professionals--cool!

Thanks, CCS, for showing me the Christmas Lights this holiday season. Polka on!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

Charm City Sound:
Stephen Kaminski: Saxophones, Keyboards, Clarinet, Orchestrations & Vocals
Mike Matousek: Bass, Mandolin, Harmonica & Vocals
Dave Burnatowski: Drums & Percussion
Nick DiSebastiano: Accordion, Vocals
Mike Miconi: Trumpet & Fluglehorn
Mike Ziemski: Trumpet, Fluglehorn & Vocals

Special Guests:
Nick Tiberi--Concertina
Jim Weber--Vocals
Al Puwalski--Accordion
John Francis--Guitars
Anne Marie, Amanda, Matt & Amy Matousek--Vocals

Recorded and Mixed at Crowne Stone Studios--Monmouth Junction, NJ by Stephen Kaminski
Executive Producer--Mike Matousek
Producer--Stephen Kaminski
Mastered & Manufactured by DiscMakers



From the Website:

Charm City Sound Biography

Charm City Sound, Maryland's most celebrated contemporary polka band, was formed in 1997. Although the original members all hailed from the Baltimore area, current players reside in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Leader Mike Matousek, is the last remaining connection to the band's musical predecessor, the nationally-recognized "Boys from Baltimore" band that originated in 1980. The Boys received many major awards including "Favorite Album" and "Favorite Band" by the United States Polka Association (USPA) and was featured in Paramount's major motion picture, "He Said, She Said" starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins.

Over the last eight years, Charm City Sound has recorded five CDs, performed at major festivals across the country, and appeared on several TV shows. CCS has continued the award-winning tradition by garnishing its own recognition that includes the USPA's "Favorite Song" (2001) and "Favorite Band" (2003) awards. Even the Baltimore City Paper voted the group as "Baltimore's Best Polka Band" in 2002. Their latest release, "Charmed and Dangerous," is currently one of the best-selling CDs in the polka industry and is enjoying considerable national recognition. Charm City Sound has distinguished itself as one of the innovators within the polka musical genre as they infuse Rock, Pop, Country, and Latin influences into the music that was born in Eastern Europe. Most of the material in their repertoire is original. They are one of several national groups leading the way to broaden the polka audience with a contemporary style referred to as Push.

Charm City Sound

Christmas Lights

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Track List