Popular Polish folk-rock band of late 60s-early 70s, No To Co was a brainchild of Piotr Janczerski (born Piotr Janik). Janczerski started musical career in 1962 as a compere for Niebiesko Czarni (->), Polish pioneering beat group. By 1964 became one of their lead singers. In 1967 founded a skiffle band with Jerzy Grunwald. Being a Niebiesko Czarni’s side project at the beginning, newly formed aggregation made it’s first own TV appearance on December 1st 1967, playing a blend of beat, skiffle and Polish folklore music. Band’s name No To Co (‘So What’) was chosen from more that 5000 ones suggested by TV viewers. Jerzy Krzeminski, Jan Stefanek, Jerzy Rybinski, Aleksander Kawecki and Bogdan Borkowski completed line-up.
Winning musical formula of Polish folklore music being arranged in beat and skiffle tradition plus suitable image made No To Co an overnight nationwide success. Within 1968 alone band played more that 200 dates, appeared in 3 movies, recorded one LP and several chart-topping singles, made 19 radio sessions! Won grand prix at national song festival in Opole. 170000 copies of their debut album were sold within 4 month of release. Enjoyed big success at festival in Montreaux, Switzerland the same year.
In 1969 toured France, Hungary, USSR, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and USA. Been pronounced ‘the most popular Polish band in the USA’ in Chicago in June same year – a rather curious fact, immortalized with the golden medal. Much more vital was the prize from Polish Ministry of Culture, July 1969.
1970 brought more successful tours of France, Canada, USA, Britain and socialist countries. Won grand prix at the national song festival in Opole with ‘Po ten kwiat czerwony’ (‘The Red Flower’) and ‘Te opolskie dziouchy’ (‘Those Opole Girls’). However, the original line-up broke-up later that year with departure of Grunwald.
Band’s career in homeland almost folded with departure of Janczerski in 1971. Others carried on for some time with Krzeminski as the new leader. Released one album for East German ‘Amiga’ label (1972) and two LPs for ‘Melodija’ in USSR (1973) before finally calling it a day. (green-brain-krautrock.de)
And this is their third abum, the first with english vocals (even the liner notes was in english) and it´s real crazy album … a crazy mix between tradional polish songs and some internation tunes like “See See Rider” Or “Gimme Some Lovin´” … and this old Spencer Davis Group song is a highlight of this album … we hear a real great prog-rock version including an impressive bass-solo !!!
Another prog-rock song is “Saturday To Sunday ” … sounds like a little psychedelic trip !
This is a treasure from the early days of beat and rock behind the iron curtain !
Personnel:
Bogdan Borkowski (banjo(guitar/harmonica, vocals)
Jerzy Grunwald (guitar, vocals)
Piotr Janczerski (vocals)
Aleksander Kawecki (drums)
Jerzy Krzemiński (guitar, vocals)
Jerzy Rybiński (bass, vocals)
Jan Stefanek (saxophone, keyboards, violin)
Tracklist:
01. Dark – Blue Water (Traditional/Wiecko) 2.46
02. Market – Place Rooster (Krzemiński/Janczerski/Zielinski) 2.30
03. So Far Away From You (Krzemiński/Kondratowicz/Bromski) 3.12
04. If You Want Me (Traditional/Wiecko) 1.31
05. See , See Rider (Traditional/Rainey) 3.58
06. Highland Melodies (Traditional/Bromski) 3.17
07. Brass Bands (Kawecki/Wiecko) 2.29
08. Farmer’s Song (Traditional/Wiecko) 1.48
09. Saturday To Sunday (Krzemiński/Kondratowicz/Zielinski) 3.16
10. Marinka (Laudan) 1.54
11. Give Me Some Of Loving (Winwood) 7.00
12. Oh, Baby Jane (Krzemiński/Wiecko) 2.25
No To Co – still alive and well in 2018 !!!
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