Read Seyo's bio of them here:

Slovenian avant-garde band BEGNAGRAD was formed in Ljubljana (Slovenia, ex-Yugoslavia) in 1975, with following members: Bratko Bibic-accordion, vocal; Bogo Pecnikar-clarinet; Igor Musevic-drums and Vlado Spindler-bass. They recorded early material in 1977 at a Novi Sad radio station, but that was not released before 1992. This formation played an unconventional blend of jazz, rock, swing and European folk traditions, particularly mixing the Alpine, Mediterranean and Balkan influences. This line-up disbanded in 1978, just to be re-formed in 1981 with new members: Nino de Gleria-bass; Ales Rendla-drums, violin and Boris Romih-guitar, with Bibic and Pecnikar as old members. They finally recorded their first and only album "Begnagrad" in 1982. The band was short-lived and ceased to exist in 1983. B. Bibic continued a solo career along with participation with several groups like THE MADLEYS and NIMAL.

Their only studio album "Begnagrad" was internationally re-issued with some bonus tracks and it remained a highly preached among the avant-garde/prog afficionados. BEGNAGRAD shared many artistic approach with RIO movement and their frequent live gigs across Western Europe in early 1980s led a prominent RIO leader Chris Cutler to claim "they were so good that they were really their own best promotion. ...RIO had ceased to exist by then, otherwise I'm sure Begnagrad would have been invited to join." They were often compared with such RIO acts like SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA or STORMY SIX.

 

 

 

And reviews of the album:

Collaborators Reviews

BEGNAGRAD — Begnagrad

Review by http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=343 - Seyo (Sead S. Fetahagic)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR

After a brief period of inactivity in late 1970s, BEGNAGRAD re-formed in 1981. Two founding members, accordionist Bratko Bibic and clarinetist Bogo Pecnikar, invited three younger musicians to join, so the end-result, their eponymous debut album, sounded with more rock energy while retaining their Slovenian avant-folk and RIO roots. "We hear a relationship to the music of other earlier RIO bands - Stormy Six, Samla Mammas Manna, and others ­ that were also informed by the European folk music."* This is a totally wild and unpredictable album with freaky experimental music featuring odd traditional instruments (accordion, clarinet, double bass, violin, strange percussion, whistling), that were played with avant-garde or jazz attitude. There are no lyrics but the vocals are used as instruments in some instances, and often sounding quite humorous and funny. "Bratko's accordion, Bogo's clarinet, the rhythmic and melodic structure of the tunes are underscored by more electric instrumentation and a firm rhythmic structure borrowing from rock music that lends the recording a curious mixture of chaotic atmosphere, surprise, melancholy, and central, south and eastern European folk musical traditions. The music has strong melodies, contrasts of harmonic and discordant structures and dramatic changes in rhythms and time structures."* It is hard to single out some tracks because the whole album is a pretty cohesive effort with excellent production throughout, but my favourites would be "Cosa Nostra/Waltz" and "Coc'n'Rolla (Ljubljana ponoci)", two of the craziest moments on the album. The freaks responsible for creating this jolly and amazing patchwork of Slovenian RIO were: Bratko Bibic/ accordions, melodica, Faninger Klavier, voice, Bogo Pecnikar/ clarinet, sogra, baritone sax, ocarina, whistling, voice, Nino de Gleria/ electric bass, double bass, mandolin, whistling, screaming, Ales Rendla/ drums, violin, conga and Boris Romih/ percussion, tiny instruments, guitar, whistling, voice, double bass. "Begnagrad" was originally released by "Zalozba kaset in plosc RTV Ljubljana", September 1982 (RTV LD 0811) with this white cover sleeve. In 1990, AYAA label reissued the album on CD (cdt 1180) with a different cover sleeve, titled "Konzert for a Broken Dance" - two tracks were reordered, and a bonus track included. Finally, 2nd CD reissue of "Begnagrad", under original title and cover, was done by MIO Records (Israel), MIO 006, November 2003 with extra live audio + 20' video bonus tracks from 1983). This album is highly recommended to listen and if you are a RIO enthusiast, then it is a must for your collection.

*source: http://www.beat-a-go-go.com/begnagrad.html

Posted Sunday, November 27, 2005, 11:42 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=58225 - Permanent link

Guests Reviews

BEGNAGRAD — Begnagrad

Review by http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=7489 - Rainer Rein (Rainer Rein)

Begnagrad was avant-folk band from Ljubljana led by accordionist Bratko Bibič. We have the greatest pleasure to listen for example alpine, yugoslavian, hungarian, italian folklore in symbiosis with rock, jazz, punk, avantgarde, joke etc. The music in this record is at-full- gallop-rushing and well played, kicking sometimes over the traces. Maybe there is a bit relationship with Lars Hollmer and Samla Mammas Manna from Sweden. Anyway - joyful and gamesome (3,5 stars really).

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2005, 02:40 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=53469 - Permanent link

 

 

 

 

Get the re-issue before it will be out of print!

 

 

 

 

http://www.bratkobibic.net/english/index.html - http://www.bratkobibic.net/english/index.html