Gabdullah Tukay

I have a couple of books and numerous writings from our most revered Tatar poet Gabdullah Tukay. I found this book at a store across from Stanford University called Szwede Slavic Books. I left a card at most Russian bookstores on the West Coast saying, "Tatar Books? call iLhan " with my phone number. This book is called an "Album" and contains numerous photographs paintings and drawings, relating to Gabdullah Tukay. I would be interested to see an Complete Anthology of his work. I've been to his grave in Kazan and I read a poem composed by him this year at our annual Tukay Kon.
Under this photo, it reads:

"G. Tukaynin Uralskida Topografiyade Eshlegen Wakitinda Toshken Fotoreseme. 1905"

Tatar English /English Tatar Dictionary

This is the holy grail. I wish it was more extensive. Often the word that I'm hunting for isn't here. Sometimes it is. I'd like to digitize this book into a Spreadsheet program. Another project. Is there such thing as Microsoft Dictionary-Creator?
A Latvian Tatar Friend told me this book is no longer available on Amazon. It's a good price if you can find a copy. I hope Hippocrene considers a second edition, and increasingly extensive with each following pressing? Wouldn't that be nice. I've also heard complaints when I show it to people that it's in Cyrillic and not Latin letters. the Latin phonetical spellings are there, but not as obvious. I've included a scan of a sample page. I'd consider scanning this if they don't reissue it and I get enough requests.

iLham Shakirov, iLham, not iLhan

I never understood the appeal of this music when I was younger.
I certainly do now.
boomp3.com

He is a national hero and rightly so. If you could sing like him, you would never be alone. He elevates Tatar Music to an Honourably high level, and expands your soul. Can I post everything I own by him? I certainly want to. Telesegez, Yazip soragiz hem sezge birermen.

Ильхам Шакиров

Bilingual, But Brilliant

A dear Tatar friend in New York directed me towards this must see video. So funny.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-W1LT1BS_L8

A Tatar friend in Los Angeles, Emil, said they're called Volga-Volga and have a website
http://www.volga-volga.ru/ , Rahmet Emil

Saban Tuy Accordion

This accordion he's playing is a mini diatonic accordion. It plays a different sound in each direction , like a Harmonica. He demonstrated how a song can be played with one hand by swinging it back and forth, and kind of whipping it around. I've never seen this technique before. They played several tunes and charmed the crowd. His blazer is snake-skin. On the right is a standard Bayan.

picture from Iskender, Rahmet.



САБАН ТУЕ ҖЫРЫ

Татар халык көе М.Садри сүзләре

Сабан туе - хезмәт туе,
Шатлык һәм бәхет туе, шул;
Уйнап, көлеп, җырлап, биеп
Бәйрәм итик көн буе.
Шау-гөр килә киң болыннар,
Кырлар һәм су буйлары, шул;
Котлы булсын, милләттәшләр,
Ямьле сабан туйлары!
Бәйрәм итик шатланышып,
Туганнар, бергә-бергә, шул;
Безнең бергә булуыбыз
Китсен бөтен гомергә.

The Abominable Accordionist

Is there an accordionist under this accordion? Why is it in the snow? Accordions are like tattoos. Once you get one, you want another and another. I have a longing to want to lift this accordion from the snow, wipe it off and bring it to an environment with stable humidity, like Mother Theresa of Accordions. Look at the picture closely. This puppy needs to be saved! The owner needs to be put on a list of people that should not own accordions.!

Tatar - Carpenters Cover Band?

There is excellent quality music coming from Tatarstan these days, broadcast on Internet radio. Along with some pretty great stuff are terrible bad love ballads, songs with cheesy low quality keyboards, and songs where people try to sing songs that they're not capable of singing. There's another additional irritating quality that I'd call the sub-par Vibrato. What's with the whole Vibrato-from-hell quality? Are they freezing? Is that distinctly Tatar? Some do it well. Many don't.

Now on that note, How's about Translating Carpenter's songs into Tatar and starting a cover band? We could call it the CarpenTatars. With delicious Peremech around, we certainly wouldn't be doomed to Karen Carpenter's fate.

"Min Dunyaning Ustundamin!
Hem Aska Sezge Bagip
Mohabbet Tapdim....didem blah blah blah
blah blah, blah blah blah blah,
blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah
Maykushim , I'm on top Of The World!"

Here's a song from a band who's name slips me. I'll post it when I find it. The title of the song is Tatarlarkile, which means "Tatars Are Coming". Now with a title like that I'd expect the song to sound more aggressive or "invasive". Aren't we descendant of Genghis Khan? This song has a nice groove, but perhaps should be re-titled, "Tatars Are Coming, And Boy oh Boy Are They Friendly!"

boomp3.com

Backstage At The Tatar Concert

Here's Eni, hanging out backstage, being a groupie. Gorgi was singing and I leaned over and said, "He looks like the tenor from Lawrence Welk". He sounds just like him too. The woman sitting next to me, said, "Yes, Joe Feeney!" I never really liked Joe Feeney, but I think I will now.