Robi Sestili of Chicago, IL, originally of Pittsburgh, PA, has recently released his 3 rd tambura, sound-on-sound album. This energetic musical compilation comes just in time to revive everyone’s spirits, now that the lull of the post-holiday season has set in. The new album entitled “O Jelo, Jelo”, is fully brought to life by the featured vocalist, Drazen Jozic, of Hamilton, ONT, who is very well known in North America for his powerful tenor voice, and his many years as a member of “Seoski Lopovi”, also of Hamilton. “O Jelo, Jelo”, features 17 favorite songs of the “becar” nature, which are artfully arranged by Robi into 8 flowing & exciting medleys. You will be pleased to listen and sing along to familiar classics, such as “Crne Oci”, “Lagani Becarac”, and “S One Strane Dunava” which Drazen sings authentically and from the heart, as true “tamburasi” have for hundreds of years.

The array of music that Robi & Drazen chose to present on this album, represent “becar” songs. These well-aged, well-known selections, are those that tamburasi play for one another, and their loyal listeners at festive gatherings, in their homes, and late into the evening, or pretty much anywhere. Becars love to sing about, and have great love for the tambura instrument itself, and possess an EVEN greater love for all of the fellow musicians and music lovers, who admire it with the same exclamation. At many of our Croatian folklore festivals, and functions, attended throughout the United States, you will be able to find these becars late in the evening, once all of the more formal events have passed for the day. They usually will gather in a circle, facing one another to play and sing away, with all of their music lovers hovering around them until the sun comes up, or the last person drops of exhaustion. This has been a very common tradition in Croatian/tambura culture for many, many years.

While these songs age back many years, they have been carried throughout the years, and still continue to be performed by musicians both in Croatia, and here in the United States, such as Robi & Drazen. If you would like to liven up your winter, and fill your ears with the songs that have withstood the test of time and generations, you can order “O Jelo, Jelo” by sending a check made out to “Robert Sestili” in the amount of $17.00, which includes the cost of the CD plus shipping and handling to:

Robi Sestili 525
West Deming #429
Chicago, IL 60614

For bookings and/or information please contact rsestili@hotmail.com