Želim malo nježnosti i ljubavi/Otok Wight (1970)
Very pretty little number that starts slowly and than builds up to a anthemic refrain, composed by Alfi Kabiljo and Mišo Doležal, this sounds like it was tailored for Gabi Novak and her "good fairy" image. Novak is a rare bird, a singer who project tenderness and sensuality without ever sounding artificial or cutesy - not only a possessor of a fine, gentle voice that is quite appealing in its intimacy, but a artist who sound sincere and classy simultaneously, she was equally a every man's dream and every woman's idol back than. Perhaps at the peak of her popularity - or at the wave of one of those, since her career seems always to have these sudden peaks every now and than - Novak had a huge radio hit with A side and completely overshadowed Ana Štefok who also recorded it (to my knowledge, it was a pop festival song performed by two different artists).
Side B is a dreamy hippy ode, cover of certain foreign hit (Wight is Wight), kind of flower power daydream strummed along the guitar and Arsen Dedić contributed Croatian lyrics. Novak had such appealing, effortless voice that listener can walk away from her recordings never really understanding what kind of magic she actually used, since she deliberately never indulged in mannerisms or acrobatics - her soft croon is soulful and completely natural.
Ever since a good decade ago Gabi Novak happily embraced marriage and motherhood, a certain glamour was deliberately replaced with descent into ordinary world - I still remember neighbor ladies chatting and bemoaning that their beloved "Gabika" now can be seen shopping with baskets overflowing on the streets, just like everybody else - a curious phenomenon of a big pop star drastically changing image with absolutely no regret or passing thought. This surely had not changed the fact that she always continued to be a wonderful singer and elegant lady when situation calls for it, only a certain professional obligations like performing and touring were cut to a minimum.
Since she never purposely or forcefully placed career on the first place, Novak seems to have waves of success once in every decade without much sweat - this album was a very strong, solid collection built around her recent hit singles and pop festival performances - "Pamtim samo sretne dane" and "Što je ljubav" for example, were already four years old at the time of album release, which only proves that Novak had her own rhythm and waited to have enough decent material for an album, instead or fast rushing with some uninspired job. It also gave enough time to audience to embrace these songs. It is a very modernized Gabi Novak in a synthesizers-land (usually obtrusive Mato Došen is kept in check here, without meddling too much in sound effects, since half of the album was arranged by Arsen Dedić who does very good job indeed) and songs came from pens of various composers like Dejan Petković, Drago Mlinarec, Kemal Monteno and Arsen himself - the final result sounds like true "the best of" all-hits-no-filler album and not only it gave singer a timeless repertoire that will live for decades since but it sounds very well tailored for her particular, effortless croon.
Gently nudged back in the recording studio 17 years after her last studio album - her husband and now grown-up son apparently convinced her that she still has something to say, even at this late point in the game - veteran pop singer decidedly avoids any meddling in a new pop trends and re-visits her early beginnings when she was singing jazz music. The idea was perhaps "Gabi sings Arsen" though this was ultimately abandoned for a different approach, in any case the resulting album came as a huge surprise not only because it sounded so sophisticated, jazzy and elegant but also because it showed what a wonderful singer the lady still is, after all these years.
The biggest hit was a old hit duet (originally recorded with Radojka Šverko back in 1980.) "Za mene je sreća" with new, young kid Maja Vučić and it sounds different now, where once it has been conversation between two girlfriends, now is all about different points of view between generations. Matija Dedić and his friends surround her with excellent music that never interfere with magical, intimate voice and husband Arsen duets on one title. The best of all, however is when Novak is simply left alone to shine in ballads like "Kuća za ptice" that moves like a warm wave. This really came as a such unexpected treat and a magnificent statement of how to live and age gracefully in a world of music that it came as no surprise that album eventually sold very well, got awarded with all sorts of prestigious awards and earned praise from everywhere - it also reminded audience what a national treasure Novak is, who spent a lifetime creating a soothing and comforting music while living clean life and a low profile without excesses.
This album was always a warmly welcomed gift to my friends who loved it with no exception - even the language barer could not hide what a lovely music this is. If I want to present something truly beautiful coming from Croatia, this is what I give as a present.
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