Romanian singer Gabi Lunca was a legend behind the Iron Curtain, a true Diva. They called her “Tziganca de matasse,†the silken gypsy women, yet this wasn’ because of her voice, which was smoky and slightly husky, rather it was because she was so debonair, always presenting herself in such finery. The liner notes to Vol.5 of German label Asphalt Tango’ incredible reissue of gems from the archives of the former state radio in Bucharest, speaks of a rivalry with the hard drinking wild living Romica Puceanu (Vol.2). However with four kids to her accordionist husband it’s a wonder Lunca had time to perform at all. This collection is from her golden years, from 1956 – 78 and features her slightly strained smoky voice over relatively gentle paced music, where she is simultaneously a consummate professional, her voice effortlessly moving up and down in pitch in these elongated wails, yet she’ also seemingly overcome by the passion of her music as her voice slightly strains at poignant moments. It’s a delicate tightrope and Lunca manages with ease. She was apparently singing quiet melancholic tales of passion and yearning, and you can sense a certain sadness to her approach, yet the beauty of the music seems to offer some kind of hope. Come the 1990′ Lunca elected not to join the wedding circuit and all but opted out of music, singing only at the service of the Bucharest Pentecostal community. In the extensive liner notes, alongside some pictures from back in the day there’ also a picture of a 70 year old Lunca grinning from ear to ear. You will be too. This series can do no wrong.
Bob Baker Fish
