Sudbina

Vida Pavlović was one of the most highly regarded Roma singers to have existed, tragically dying before her time in 2005. Perhaps because she never achieved international recognition for her prowess, Eva Salina, the Brooklyn-based, California-grown singer of the Balkan diaspora, has produced this heartfelt tribute, comprising eight covers of songs from Pavlović's repertoire. Salina is joined by Serbian/Romanian Roma accordionist Peter Stan whose virtuosic and lyrical deftness of touch make a good match for Salina's powerful, poignant vocals.

Salina's main aim with this album is to remember Pavlović, so that her songs might still be sung. Yet it is more than this: it is an exploration, through Pavlović's life and songs, of the pain and suffering that a woman can endure while retaining dignity and passion. At a time when increasing focus is being drawn to women's experiences this approach seems as relevant as ever. From the pleading yet hopeful ‘Pusti me da Živim’ to the more playful ‘Aven, Aven Romalen’, Salina and Stan produce an intimate sound (in contrast to Pavlović's ensemble-based recordings), the timbre thickening slightly when they are joined for the last track by Demiran Čerimović on trumpet.