Irena Santor and Jim Reeves

Irena Santor, Jim Reeves and Wrangler jeans

Irena Santor one of my mum's favourite Polish artists. Mum brought Polish vinyl over when she came to live in the UK. Jim Reeves 12 songs of Christmas was always our default album on Christmas Day!

I googled Irena Santor before and she is still recording at 84!! Fantastic luv go for it.

Looking at the Stenia album cover - well erm I don't remember that before, a racy number and a sultry look! Those crazy 1960's!

Just because Poland was in the grip of the Communists didn't mean the Poles played by the rules?

Sure they were forced to learn Russian at school which nobody liked, but you had no choice and yes people were snatched and beaten up by the MO (Military Police in their blue Nysa/ Zuk vans) but the one memory I have above all in Poland was the endless sound of The Beatles songs playing on the radio, record players, tape decks and so on. Where did they get this from? Never underestimate the black market free economy!

Going back to vinyl mum has some 7 inch and 78's singles somewhere that I need to find.

They were rough pressed on square vinyl yes square in lovely pastel shades!

These would play on the Ferguson record player (Teak and vinyl covered) I took it to bits to see how it worked (but that's another blog).

Dad would play The greatest hits of Johnny Cash, no idea where he got into that?

He really liked Scottish music, probably because of his time in Kilearn Hospital near Glasgow.

Scottish reels were very similar and upbeat to Polish Polka songs. You just can't sit still and have to get up even if you don't know the moves or even dance.

The house would fill with Polka's always during our parties. We had many parties the very best in Bury if I say so myself.

Sometimes in the evenings dad would also play the 1812 overture, the full-on 12 inch version which I still have.

He loved his war history and not just his own endless stories, but Napoleon.

My middle name is actually Alexander because of Alexander The Great - cool eh!

Oh I forgot Wrangler jeans.

When myself and mum ventured to Poland for our annual school summer holidays, she took 5-6 large cases you know proper large plastic type old school cases the size of a Morris Minor each of them.

They would be filled with my old clothes, Wrangler jeans and M&S clothes, that I grew out of and sell in Poland to friends, then buy Polish stuff she wanted, in the same cases for the return trip home. (A special blog reserved for holidays and trips).

Wrangler jeans were the absolute pinnacle of fashion in the 70's!

Simple commerce Comrade.

Right time to play this album lets see what it sounds like........................

Irena Santor bangin tunes - Click here Irena Santor - wiki - Click here