Rock Paper Scissors - Goran Bregovic, Alkohol (Wrasse Records)

"It was party time…a Balkan free-for-all and the jam-packed auditorium went wild…The audience lapped it all up eagerly and the applause was so enthusiastic at the end of the show that Bregovic played no fewer than an extra five numbers..."-The Jerusalem Post

Balkan music legend, Goran Bregovic is joined by his Wedding and Funeral Orchestra. With roots in the Balkan music, Bregovic has brilliantly advanced it into the 21st century. His music marries the sounds of a gypsy brass band with traditional Bulgarian polyphonies; the electric guitar with traditional percussion and a curious rock accent -- all against the backdrop of a string orchestra and the deep sonorities of a male voice choir -- creating music that is deliriously thrilling and brings audiences to their feet.

Bregovic is best known in North America for his compositions written for the films of director Emir Kusturica (Underground, Palme d'Or-winner at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival; Time of the Gypsies;and Arizona Dream with Johnny Depp and Jerry Lewis) and for his contributions to the sound track of the smash hit movie Borat. A hugely popular performer in Europe, Bregovic's live performances in various European cities attract audiences ranging from few thousands to a May 1st concert at the Piazza St. Giovanni in Rome, for an estimated audience of 500,000.

orn in Sarajevo Bregovic first studied violin and later formed his first band, The White Button, at the age of 16, in which he played the guitar and composed music. His status in the ‘70s and the ‘80s led to his collaboration with Emir Kusturica. At the end of the '80s he wrote the original soundtrack for Time of Gypsies followed by another original soundtrack for Arizona Dream. He later wrote music for French director Patrice Chereau's film La Reine Margot—another Palme d'Or-winner at the Cannes Film Festival. -- www.clevelandart.org