"Zdenka" by Zdenka Vučković (1983)

In Croatian pop music we have two ladies named Zdenka - they were both born in Zagreb, both belong to same generation and were probably mingling in the same circles but could not be more different: where Zdenka Vučković had her commercial peak in 1960s and everything afterwards was a long twilight, Zdenka Kovačiček blossomed much later in her 50s and is very much active today. There is some common confusion between these two and people often assume its the same person, where in fact one was singing children songs and novelties, while the other went for rock and blues, so its definitely two very different people. 

Sadly, Vučković recently passed away and although she is remembered with great affection, closer look at her recording legacy shows that she was very much neglected artist who really never recaptured earliest glory days - inexplicably, "Jugoton" has never explored her 1960s hits and they were first time compiled in 2002 (!) while one LP and this compilation (confusingly using same title) are literary all that is left behind her. It seems that Vučković was very much loved as a teenage pop star but as soon as she grew up into adulthood, the success evaporated and fickle audiences lost interest. That one LP went nowhere and dozen singles recorded trough the next decade also failed to leave any great impact. This compilation, released only on cassette tape have a obligatory feeling to it, as "Jugoton" was closing a chapter - even though Vučković actually sounded better than ever as she matured, sentimental schlager ballads and international covers could only bring her so far, it really seems that with time she merged quietly into anonymous festival background - as those were less relevant, so were its performers. 

Again, the compilation failed to compile her singles but focused on various festival performances - by far the most interesting song here is actually great "Ugasi Svjetla" resurrected from B side of 1972 single (!) but the rest is reflection of a mellow MOR artist who still posses that wonderfully clear, instantly recognisable sound. For whatever reason, singles were completely ignored - and there were actually quite a few of them - so this hodgepodge of odds and ends happened to be the last project she will release in her lifetime. At her passing, there were comments about spectacular and successful career but frankly, we have to be realistic. Vučković epitomised one particular era, post-WW2 enthusiasm and energy in the 1960s - her last genuine hit was 1971 single with children's songs and after that she valiantly persisted on festivals, eclipsed by younger generation. Charming, sweet lady, though.