The Popolski Family Live in the Zloty Palace - DVD

Content: Finally, all the lies are cleared up. Who still believes that the great hits of pop history were composed by frauds like Jack White, Dieter Bohlen or Ralph Siegel is wrong. Even greats like Queen, Herbert Grönemeyer or Serge Gainsbourg have only stolen their very big successes. Because the truth is that all the hits that have been made a mess of by various artists over the decades came from the pen of one man of genius: Piotrek Popolski. His descendants, as The Popolski Family, have made it their goal to carry their grandfather's legacy out into the world and to give him the honor that has been denied him for far too long.

Now, finally, a recording of one of The Popolski Family's concerts has been released on DVD, and so now really everyone has the opportunity to see and, above all, to hear how numerous pearls of pop music sound in their actual original versions. For instance, we learn the genesis of a song that the band Queen later popularized, learn that Cheri, Cheri Lady actually sounded like the pop hit was written by a band like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers rather than Modern Talking, and the secret is revealed for whom the most beautiful ballad in pop history was written.

The descendants of Piotrek Popolski do their best to live up to their grandpa's memory on the stage of the legendary Zloty Palace. This unique band is led by family head Pavel Popolski, who of course bears a striking resemblance to Achim Hagemann, the former companion of Hape Kerkeling from Total Normal times, only by pure coincidence. With him on stage are Andrzej Popolski, also called the Ambassador of Love, the identical twins Henjek and Stenjek, the blind Danusz, a master of ballads, the red Dorota, who likes to awaken the baser instincts of the male audience, and the passionate guitarist Mirek. His original version of an instrumental classic that helped a certain Richard Clayderman achieve world fame is undoubtedly the loudest contribution to this very special concert.

Not to be forgotten, of course, are Marek Popolski, the master of one-handed accordion playing, the shy Janusz, the youngest member of the musical family, and Bogdan, known in his hometown of Zabrze as Bogdan the Builder. They all deliver a show to the audience that hits the leg and the heart while also stimulating the diaphragm.

What elevates this project far above the status of simple comedy is that the interpretations of well-known songs are not only highly original, but truly top-notch in terms of craftsmanship. The musicians who have gathered on stage here as the fictional Popolski family not only have an undeniable comedic talent, they are also musical masters of their craft. What the Popolskis do with pop songs that are not always good is simply ingenious. Whether it's the extremely sleazy version of Sex Bomb or the grandiose polka version of Insomnia, listening to and watching this family is quite a pleasure.

Admittedly, many a non-musical gag is overused here, and the alternation between color and black and white when panning into the audience is rather negative, as are the sometimes somewhat hectic cuts. But all in all, the good mood of the audience and the rousing live atmosphere is also transferred to the viewers in front of the TV sets. A lot of fun and a musical pleasure in a class of its own. And by the way, there is also a vital vodka course. Well then, Nastruwko!

Picture + Sound: The sound is of course of primary interest here. And that can, especially in the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, really be heard. Here, a real live feeling is created, which is transferred extremely positively to the viewer. The picture quality is good, only when the camera shows the audience and switches to grainy black and white, or when the pictures come from the microphone cameras of the Popolskis used here and there, the quality leaves something to be desired. All in all, however, a good technical realization, which does justice to the high fun factor of the show!

Extras: In the bonus material there are still some bonus songs to hear, including a duet with Xavier Naidoo (This way), as well as the only true version of the megahit Ein Stern. In addition there is an appearance at Ina`s Nacht, as well as a making of a photoshooting of the Popolski family. Like the show itself, the bonus material is also very amusing, worth listening to and watching!

Conclusion: The Popolski Family Live in the Zloty Palace is a damn entertaining concert recording, where the balancing act between comedy and musical genius is more than convincingly accomplished. The DVD offers a good live feeling and also has some amusing extras on board. Therefore: for all who finally want to know the whole truth about pop music this live DVD is an absolute must!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp