Písně domova (Pocta Jaroslavu Seifertovi) - CD

This album by singer-songwriter Miroslav Paleček presents 17 songs set to poems by Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Jaroslav Seifert. Prepared over several years as a special gift for Paleček’s 75th birthday in November, the project received permission from Seifert’s heirs and brought together poems selected for their musical potential. Paleček, known for his acoustic guitar, adds carefully chosen electric instrumentation and guest musicians on keyboards, harmonica, violin, trumpet, flute and string quartet. The arrangements are by Pavel Fořt, the distinguished guitarist associated with Flamenco, Labyrint and Karel Gott’s band. Their shared Žižkov origins provide a personal link between the admired poet and the experienced solo songwriter, once famous as half of a duo with Michael Janík. The poems, some known from school anthologies and others less familiar, become concise, tender songs, usually lasting two to three minutes. The tracklist includes “Mount Říp,” “At the Window,” “Petroleum Lamp,” “Autumn Song,” “Year,” “At Loreta in Prague,” “Robinson Crusoe,” “Thyme,” “Verses About Wine,” “Lullaby” and “Song About Love.”