Hegerová, Hana: Hana Hegerová - CD

An excellent debut album from 1966! Fifty years after its original release, a new CD/LP reissue of these recordings, which are a cornerstone of Hana Hegerová's repertoire, is now available. In a replica of the historically first cover (photo by Josef Koudelka, graphic design by Zdeněk Seydl, sleeve notes by Leo Jehne), you will find twelve songs that have rightly earned the title of legendary.

The story of this album is truly colourful. Even finding a name for it was an interesting process. The front cover simply featured the singer's name. The back cover stated Zpívá Hana Hegerová (Hana Hegerová Sings). The record label then offered the variation Šansony s Hanou Hegerovou (Chansons with Hana Hegerová). What is beyond any doubt, however, is the quality of the songs. The combination of hit repertoire from the Semafor theatre, world standards, Jewish ballads, Petr Hapka's first famous songs, and the chanson Mon Dieu in its original French remains incredibly powerful to this day. The commercial and critical reception at the time of its release was decidedly positive, but communist censors gradually prevented further pressings. Although the original cover was superb, the photographer's departure to the West after the 1968 invasion precluded any future use of his picture – and this remained the case even after 1989. So, only now is Hana Hegerová's first album available in a meticulously reconstructed form. The sound has been given sensitive studio treatment. The original sleeve has been suitably complemented with a complete set of lyrics and period photographs. Both CD and LP formats were chosen to offer the first tribute to the singer's upcoming significant life anniversary – here it is!

Hana Hegerová 1966: great music in a remarkable reissue!