When It’s Polka Time in Cleveland

 

Fred Ziwich and his “International Sound Machine” has a new CD release out called “When It’s Polka Time in Cleveland.”  (Now and Then).  Some of the 23 songs were recorded in 2021 (Now) and others were recorder in the past.

 If you don’t know Fred Ziwich, here is a little about him from when the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

 “Fred Ziwich is known as just about the most versatile nusician ever on the Cleveland polka scene. He is a virtuoso on several instruments, a prolific recording artist,  and an expert music arranger. His band, the "lnternational Sound Machine" has mastered, performed and recorded all of the major polka styles. Fred also plays a large repertoire of popular music. There is no music he can't play and perform well.”

See more from Fred Ziwich’s Lifetime Achievement Award bio. 

 The 23 songs cover a variety of Polka Styles.  I especially liked the title cut, Achtung Los (Watch Out!), The Beer is Good (Die Goass is’ Weg) and Oktoberfest is here.

 

There’s a unique arrangement of In Heaven There Is No Beer and Cleveland Girls Polka.  Fred also does several covers that were a surprise such as The Accordion Man – Billy Joel’s Piano Man with the words adjusted.  Who would expect covers of “Can’t Smile Without You”, “The Way You Look Tonight” and the classic “Does your Chewing Gum lose its flavor (on the bedpost overnight)?

There are a lot of styles on this CD and a lot of music.  Something for everyone.

You can get it when you see Fred perform live or at PolkaConnection.com and other websites.  You can also email him at FredPolka@yahoo.com