"Porin" and Dražen Vrdoljak

This year will be 20 years of Croatian music award "Porin".
The idea was excellent one - something like Croatian version of "Grammy", where individuals, groups, ensembles and projects would be celebrated by their peers and recognized for the work in past year. There is also a "Lifetime Achievement" award, the best new artists and many other categories - media is usually more focused on pop music but classical, jazz and traditional music is also celebrated. One of the people who suggested this now traditional award was late rock journalist Dražen Vrdoljak who with his articles, books (he wrote and translated books about music) and album liner notes opened eyes and ears to many future listeners - during 1970s and 1980s when I was growing up, Vrdoljak was an ubiquitous presence everywhere I looked and often I would listen his radio program where he would discuss and review newest releases. For kids growing up in socialist country, without easy access to foreign albums, Vrdoljak was like a lighthouse and no wonder we respected his knowledge. He knew not only rock but successfully covered Jazz and Blues and whenever international music stars would visit our little corner of the world, you bet Vrdoljak was there to interview him (or her) speaking english fluently and knowledgeably about everything. Today we have internet so its easy for kids to get the latest news, but in "my time" we had to depend on our local record companies and their choices (for example, "Cheap Thrills" by Big Brother & The Holding Company was eventually released after 18 years digestion period). When I suggest that Vrdoljak's work meant a lot to us, I am not exaggerating - he was our own pioneer of popular music literature, he loved music passionately and knew about everything. Sadly, I had never met him but I grew up reading his translations of "Rock" and "Jazz" encyclopedias and I still remember my excitement while learning about all this musicians I never knew before. Rest in peace,wherever you are Dražen Vrdoljak.

Over the years "Porin" celebration travelled around the country, got its usual share of scandals, controversies and criticism - Croatia is small country so naturally our music scene is tiny and sometimes it seems like same artists are awarded regularly. This kind of award would perhaps meant more if we had bigger competition, I still remember what it meant when Ex Yugoslavia had far bigger territory and to be a star of national level back than meant that one had to be successful not only on local radio stations (like today) but had to face enormously stronger (and therefore healthier) competition. Now we have faster ways to radio charts and TV, but most of these "hits of the year" sound very formulaic and instant to my ears - I am not sure what "Porin" actually means to people, it seems public is only slightly curious about supposed glamour and media focuses on wrong points, but to musicians this is probably a matter of prestige. I still lived in Croatia when first "Porin" was awarded in 1994. and watched the exciting all-stars concert on TV. I specially love when elderly artists are recognized for their "lifetime work" and this year it would be Stjepan Jimmy Stanić who is 82 now and still lucid, funny and witty as always. When Arsen Dedić was awarded, there was a great concert tribute to him and I listen that one with affection, I LOVE his songs. The very first female artist who won "Porin" was neglected Radojka Šverko (who couldn't hide her bitterness towards recording companies), "Porin" celebrated return of elderly Gabi Novak who suddenly came back after almost two decades of silence and finally recognized veteran Zdenka Kovačiček who must have been happy and proud for this award. My beloved Josipa Lisac swept "Porin" four times for her solo work (duets, collaborations, tribute albums not counting) and I'm always happy for her but of course she was a big star even back in Ex Yu days so this Croatian music scene is probably laughable to her, she was recognized as one of the best voices in far bigger competition. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets her sculpture or street one day. Her name is already in school books.